Book Description
With over 40,000 copies sold, the first edition of Persuasive Business Proposals helped many readers construct dynamic, effective proposals. Now in paperback, this fully-revised second edition still gives readers simple, effective techniques for organizing, writing, and delivering proposals while updating the author's winning strategies for today's global business environment.
By cutting through the confusion, and providing dozens of real-world examples, this updated version provides step-by-step instructions for crafting value-centered, recipient-specific proposal packages, with all-new discussions on:
* How to increase business using new communication channels from e-mail and electronic submissions to PDF, HTML, and others * The Seven Worst Proposal Mistakes illustrated with real-world examples
This is an essential book for anyone seeking to win contracts and sell projects.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Business Proposal "How-To".......2007-10-24
When my manager told me to be prepared to get involved with proposal writing, I chose this book as my initial `self-study' effort. After reading it, and using it to help me analyze some of my company's old, new, and draft proposals, I am convinced that my choice of proposal books was right on target. I now have a detailed, indexed, and cross-referenced 85+-page reference document of my personal notes and observations of the book that is never far away and is often used.
The book is organized into four sections that take the reader through a logical progression that has a lot to offer both experienced and inexperienced proposal persons: 1) Why You Need This Book, 2) A Primer on Persuasion, 3) How to Manage the Process and Keep Your Sanity, and 4) Writing to Win. Sant's humor and natural writing style combined with his extensive experiences to produce a book that is as pleasurable to read as it is informative. If you are involved in any way with business proposals, you will be well-served to buy, read, and keep handy this outstanding book.
Practical Polish for Proposals.......2007-08-13
This is a great primer for writing general proposals. It's chock full of information as well as being very readable. I read it in 2 evenings and was able to utilize what I found the day the book arrived.
It's written by the founder of Sant Solutions, a great RFP/Proposal software, and never mentions this so there are NO infomercial ties as with lots of these kinds of things.
Excellent resource.
A practical guide that's also a lively read.......2007-07-16
Writing customer proposals, especially in response to a lengthy and complex RFP, involves more than simply answering the questions and attaching the required support material. It involves creating compelling messages and value propositions, understanding the customer's true needs, and establishing the credibility of your offering. Sant provides a practical, clear guide to both content and process when writing proposals. Many of his suggestions are relevant to other types of technical writing and marketing writing projects as well. His lively writing style and numerous examples make an otherwise dull subject an entertaining and informative read.
A Common Sense Approach.......2007-05-06
Dr. Sant's book equips you with the information you need, but doesn't bog you down with extensive processes. In today's fast paced contracting world, we no longer have the luxury of 30-60 days of writing time. We need to move towards a faster proposal turn around. Dr. Sant's book provides the framework to scale up or down depending on the size of your resources and time.
Buy it today!.......2007-03-02
If you write proposals, or employ those who do, you need this book. Tom Sant is the Michael Jordan of proposals (although not as tall) and this book can help you write better proposals.
Tom's emphasis on the executive summary, methodology for structuring the document and ability to write about this complex subject in the correct tone set this book apart form all of the other books on the market. Of particular interest to those who have read many books on proposals should be the chapter on editing your proposal.
An unexpected by-product of this book is that you will find it helpful for all of your business communications. I've used Tom's NOSE structure successfully in many different areas.
This book is every bit as good as others say it is. There is a reason that Tom Sant is the only one name in the proposal game.
Customer Reviews:
A legitimately great book.......2004-01-18
Rereading the reviews of this book, I was surprised by the one negative review of this book by Tony DaGiau. No surprise! Turns out that he runs some solo consulting company that competes head on with the Sant Corporation, Tom Sant's company! If Tony writes a book on dirty tricks, it'll be worth reading. Other than that, stick with Sant's book (and, if the book is any indication, Sant's company).
Exactly what I needed.......2004-01-18
This book should be the first resource to which you turn if you need to write a persuasive document.
Although this book is directed towards business writers, the information in it is just right for understanding the psychology and techniques of persuasion. I used the book extensively for developing grant proposals (for higher education) and saw my success ratio double. As a result, I won more backing and my colleagues are still asking how I did it.
The author makes good points that produce good results, from his pointers on style and jargon to his mini-primers on formatting. Sant is absolutely at the head of the class.
A persuasive book on persuasive writing........2001-09-25
Tom Sant has put together one of the single best books on proposal writing. Whether you are responding to a bid request or just designing a basic proposal the book is filled with tips for getting the winning contract. Everything is covered here. There are examples of bad proposals and details of what is wrong with them, examples of how to make your proposal stand out from the others and even a primer on the basics of persuasion. It is well organized and flows well from the beginning to the end of the process not only defining what should be done but why you are doing it. This knowledge gives you the ability to adapt to unusual situations instead of just using a boilerplate method for all your contracts. It even comes with a small but thorough checklist in the appendix to make sure that you have left no stone unturned in creating the proposal.
There is however, one point that I would like to have seen added to the book. At the last of the book he emphasizes the importance of editing your proposal. When you are done then read it again as a whole to see that it contains continuity, check it for spelling errors, check it for grammar errors, etc. Read it from front to back two or three times to make sure that you catch everything so that you don't lose credibility with your audience. While I agree totally, on long proposals I also start from the back section and read the sections from back to front. Why? As you are rereading for editing your attention to detail tends to decrease and you become more careless after a certain point. Starting from the back sections gives you a chance to read those sections while still fresh. Does it work? Well let's take a look at his book itself. No errors jump out at me until page 178 where the word "about" is spelled "abut". Well if that is the only problem then he has still done well. Then I got to page 186 where he has an example of a badly worded item. After showing the better wording the book states "That's a little better, isn't it? A little easier to understand the first time through?" Obviously he meant to say that it is "easier to understand THAN the first time through". And then a third error on page 188 where he is discussing the importance of using "complement" and "compliment" correctly. But during the discourse he actually spells "complement" as "conplement". A perfect discourse that suddenly has three errors within ten pages.
This is still a fantastic book on the details of how to write a proposal, things to do, things to avoid, how to persuade, how to focus the proposal or contract, etc. It belongs on the shelf of anyone who writes proposals and contracts or any form of communication, which involves convincing other people to see your position. I even successfully used the information in the book to detail the current status and proposed direction of a mishandled project and was able to win the client back and keep the contract.
Very Helpful Book on Writing Proposals.......2001-05-31
This book is a must for everyone who has to write a proposal. It gave me some great ideas and different ways of writing, so my proposals were much better. The book is easy to read and I started to implement Sant's ideas immediately. I also hear that his company has very useful software to help automate proposal writing as well.
This Book helps you WIN!.......2001-05-30
Tom Sant's structure and approach to proposal writing and responding to RFP's has already helped me win more business. BY following his methodology, my proposals are far more persuasive and client-centered. It is a quick read, and gives you more than enough examples and some humor. If you write proposals, this is the book you need. Sant also has award winning software that follows the structure of the book and helps automate the proposal and RFP response process.
Book Description
As clear, concise, and concrete as its subject, Patrick Riley's The One–Page Proposal promises to be the definitive business guide to getting your best ideas fully understood in the least amount of time.
Today more than ever, business decisions are made on the fly栮d first impressions can make all the difference. Now, in the first book of its kind, successful entrepreneur Patrick Riley shows you how to boil all the elements of your business proposal into one persuasive page栮d magnify your business potential in the process.
Customer Reviews:
Great for the Entepreneur.......2007-08-13
This book is exactly what the title describes itself as: a theory and method of creating a one page proposal. It's best suited for the entepreneur pitching venture capitalists. I got some ideas from it, but wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped for what I needed. One thing I'd have liked would have been a job aid/chart with the section titles and brief highlight of what to include.
Cut through the clutter. Get you proposal noticed and read........2007-08-07
It took just 2 hours hours to read. The instructions are simple (not simplistic) and easy to follow. The prescription will help you get your thinking clear. The one pager will get your message read and noticed. Decision makers - who are normally inundated with unstructured requests for their attention and support - will appreciate the format.
A range of examples show you how the concept has worked for the author and others.
A perfect solution .......2007-03-02
I stumbled upon this at the Chicago Public Library. After reading it and returning it I didn't think much of it. For some reason, however, it stuck with me.
After Amazon delivered it I remembered why it stuck with me: the concept is perfect for putting down just the parts of an idea or project you need to remember and those you need to convey. It is perfect in its simplicity.
I use this format extensively and find that it helps both me and the reader stay focused on the key points. I highly recommend both the method and the book. This, Tom Sant's Persuasive Business Proposals and Powerful Proposals by David G. Pugh and Terry R. Bacon may be the only books on proposal anyone needs!
Professional Proposals in One Concise Page!.......2006-12-12
Well, I'm done writing 10-15 page proposals that are just glanced thru. The One-Page Proposal provides a methodology to concisely present your complete proposal on one page. It saves you time in the proposal process and provides your potential client with a very focused proposal. I rate this one a winner and am now using this exclusively for client proposals. It works and it saves time!
The 1-page concept is good, but this book is not so good..........2006-11-10
...unless you have very little business writing experience. The 1-page concept is valid, but this book and its examples are unimpressive (and sometimes dull, naive and self congratulating). Still, it might be worth a quick read for some of you, which is why I'll give it 3 stars. Note: I probably should have given it 2 stars since some of these other reviews are so over the top positive that to me they are not credible (I almost think they were written by shills).
Amazon.com
Writing for nonprofits is a juggling act. One's job might entail writing grant proposals, newsletters, thank-you notes, case statements, and Web-site material--each for a different boss. The most successful development writers take the time to both experience their causes firsthand (sleep in the shelter, go to rehearsals, visit the wilderness) and cultivate personal relationships with their donors ("people give to people"). You'll give yourself an amazing head start when applying for a grant, say Joseph Barbato and Danielle Furlich, just by following an organization's guidelines and getting your math right--it's surprising how many fundraisers do neither. Make your point once, clearly, and don't forget the human element. "You aren't just asking for money," say the authors of Writing for a Good Cause, "you are asking to help people." Barbato and Furlich, both veteran fundraisers, interviewed both grants administrators and development writers for this guide. The result is an inside view of the arcane workings of the world of fundraising that would make any novice feel more proficient immediately. Their "gotta-get-it-out-right-now, how-late-is-FedEx-open? Down-and-dirty proposal kit" is a terrific tool when there isn't time to write the "knockout, beguiling, exciting, can't-put-it-down, and surely can't-turn-it-down fundraising proposal." And keep in mind: when a donor gives your proposal the nod, say thank you. Twice. In fact, say Barbato and Furlich, "It is almost impossible to thank a donor too much." --Jane Steinberg
Book Description
Filled with tips and survival skills from writers and fund-raising officers at nonprofits of all sizes, Writing for a Good Cause is the first book to explain how to use words well to win your cause the money it needs. Whether you work for a storefront social action agency or a leading university, the authors' knowledgeable, practical advice will help you:
- Write the perfect proposal -- from the initial research and interviews to the final product
- Draft, revise, and polish a "beguiling, exciting, can't-put-it-down and surely can't-turn-it-down" request for funds
- Create case statements and other big money materials -- also write, design, and print newsletters, and use the World Wide Web effectively
- Survive last-minute proposals and other crises -- with the Down-and-Dirty Proposal Kit!
Writing for a Good Cause provides everything fund raisers, volunteers, staff writers, freelancers, and program directors need to know to win funds from individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
Download Description
From storefront social action agencies to leading museums and universities, organizations across the country are seeking funds for good causes. But even the best cause doesn't stand a chance when proposals and other materials are badly written or deadly dull. Writing for a Good Cause is the first book to explain how to use words well to win the support of funders.
The authors, who have applied their writing talents to a variety of good causes, address the full range of challenges writers in development offices face. Their knowledgeable, practical advice covers:
-- Writing the perfect proposal -- from the initial research and interviews to the final product
-- Drafting, revising, and polishing a "beguiling, exciting, can't-put-it-down and surely can't-turn-it-down" request for funds
-- Creating case statements and other big money materials -- including how to write, design, and print newsletters and use the World Wide Web effectively
Filled with tips from writers at nonprofits and suggestions from top foundation funders, Writing for a Good Cause provides everything volunteers, staff writers, freelancers, and others need to know to fashion persuasive presentations for individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
Customer Reviews:
Writer Writing For Writers.......2007-07-13
Immensely "Readable" guidelines for writing all types of fundraising materials. Barbato has written a timeless, easy to follow handbook that holds a special place on my reference bookshelf.
Writing for a good cause!.......2006-04-25
Excellent book with very practical tips on writing to get funded. There are many grantwriting books and resources available, but this is one of the better that I've found for writing persuasively for major gifts. Great practical advice on formulating winning proposals, concept papers and other grant writing tools. Definitely recommend to grantseekers of all levels.
Not just a guide to writing proposals - a guide to life.......2002-08-12
Not surprisingly, this book provides advice that -- if applied literally -- will assist you in writing excellent proposals to fund your non-profit organization's ventures.
Surprisingly, the advice contained herein -- if made more generic in your mind -- is excellent advice for entire areas of your life. Sounds hokey, true. But honestly, boiled down the advice can be listed as:
1. Identify what the problem is. Do your research until you really understand the causes of the problems and their many effects.
2. Identify how you will know when you have made the problem better. How will you know when the problem has been alleviated? What intermediate steps need to be taken? How will you measure your progress along the way?
3.Identify what tools are available, and which are still needed, to move towards a resolution, or diminution, of the problem. Be specific here. Vague generalities are useless, but the brass tacks of a solution are absolutely priceless. Who has access to these tools? Who can make difficult things easy?
4. If you are asking for someone to help you with this problem, present the whole equation to them in a light that makes the most sense to *them*. This doesn't mean to lie, or exaggerate. It only means to focus your proposal in a way that makes them see it most personally.
5. Proofread what you have written, to be sure it says what you want it to say. Then proofread it again. And again. Get it right, because it is a hard and fast representative of you. This should be true in everything concrete you put out in the world with your name on it.
Now, all of this can be applied to writing a grant proposal. And much of it can be applied to the other things in life. Filling a job position, finding a home, working out a deteriorating relationship, educating yourself or your children ... you name it.
It's so rare that a book directed at an audience of specialists resonates with so much broadly applicable truth ... and it was such a delight to find it. I plowed through this book last night, reading every word, applying its advice mentally to all sorts of issues in my own life. I am pleased to report that it opened my eyes to solutions that had eluded me until now.
Wonderfully written, amusingly told, full of great advice to writers of all persuasive materials, this book is a gem.
I put sticky notes on half the pages.......2002-08-09
I took this book, along with many others on fundraising, out of my local library. Though I'm new to raising funds, I've made much of my living writing articles and books; I wasn't sure it would have much to teach me.
This book was so startlingly useful that I had to buy it. It will likely become your most dog-eared fundraising guide.
Puts the Fun in Fundraising.......2002-07-11
When I am on deadline and desperately in need of help, "Writing for a Good Cause" is where I turn first for guidance, solace, or inspiration (seeing as how our office manager objects to open containers of alcohol at one's desk). Not only is this book full of incredibly practical writing tips in handy list form, it is also very funny and a page turner.
The heart of the book is a clear guide to how to write a great proposal, but other valuable topics are covered, including newsletters, case statements, interviews, and the like.
In one section, the authors mix genuine examples of great fundraising writing with an imaginary proposal to fund the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. They not only convince you to help build the Brooklyn Bridge, you're ready to buy it.
The bridge is not for sale, but this book is. It is well worth its price of two fast food lunches. Buy it, read it, and be happy.
Book Description
Persuasive Proposals and Presentations shows readers how to develop a winning strategy and how to be clear, organized, and persuasive. It lays out common mistakes in strategy and offers effective advice.
Customer Reviews:
Concise and Practical.......2005-12-04
Pierce practices what she preaches in this upbeat and efficient manual. With the voice of experience, her 24 easily digested lessons explain specifically how to write successful proposals.
A must-read book for writing a proposal that wins!.......2005-01-08
If you write proposals, you'll want to own this book,and keep it as a resource within arm's reach. When you apply the principles presented here,you'll go far in the competitive world of business. The easy-to-follow format gives you the tools to be better equipped as you convince your clients you're the one to get the job. I recommend Ms. Pierce's book strongly, as a concise work to read in a day,but benefit from for years to come.
Product Description
Communication studies at UNF. Contains, art of public speaking. Conecting self and communication. Connecting through verbal and nonverbal communication. Using visual aids. Technical presentation.
Average customer rating:
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Persuasive Reports and Proposals (Management Shapers)
Andrew Leigh
Manufacturer: Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Management
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
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Running Meetings & Presentations
| Skills
| Business & Investing
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ASIN: 0852928092 |
Average customer rating:
- Toss into your briefcase for successful employment
- Insightful!
|
Organize Your Job Search Career Change
Ronni Eisenberg
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Job Hunting
| Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
| Business Ethics
| Consolidation & Merger
| Decision-Making & Problem Solving
| Distribution & Warehouse Management
| Industrial
| Information Management
| Leadership
| Management
| Management Science
| Motivational
| Negotiating
| Operations Research
| Planning & Forecasting
| Pricing
| Production & Operations
| Project Management
| Quality Control
| Risk Assessment
| Statistics
| Strategy & Competition
| Systems & Planning
| Systems Analysis
| Teams
| Total Quality Management
| Training
ASIN: 0786884673 |
Book Description
Everyone who is thinking about looking for a new job says the same thing: Getting started is the hard part. Thats why this new book starts at the beginning, providing readers with simple steps for getting the job search underway. It also offers a complete plan for landing a great job, including tips on:building a network and establishing referrals, taking advantage of internet resources and following up effectively.
Customer Reviews:
Toss into your briefcase for successful employment.......2001-07-07
Whether you're a new graduate seeking your first position, or an experienced worker looking for a change of corporate scenery, ORGANIZE YOUR JOB SEARCH will provide you with the office tools you need to organize and conduct your job search with ease and precision.
Simple "to do's" are scattered throughout the book, motivating you to stay on task. Goal setting tips, such as finishing the book by a certain date, are a great way to keep motivated and work toward your goal of new employment. Worksheets, goal sheets, to do's and reviews streamline your current job of looking for employment, which is a full-time job in itself!
A great gift for the new grad or corporate exec, ORGANIZE YOUR JOB SEARCH is the best thing to toss into your briefcase for successful employment.
Insightful!.......2001-05-25
Ronnie Eisenberg's book is excellent preparation for entering the job market. After all, today's inevitable workplace reality is that many modern jobs are as permanent as Tibetan sand art. This book is full of clever suggestions on interviewing, resume writing, and network building. It will help you tackle the difficult task of finding a job armed with the knowledge that at least you're doing the search right. That, in itself, is a pretty good reference for your new job. We [...] recommend this helpful book for the newly graduated, the newly unemployed, and those considering marching out the office door and back into the job market. (P.S. Don't quit until you have a new job!)
Books:
- Principles of Political Economy 2 volume set
- Private Markets for Public Goods: Raising the Stakes in Economic Reform
- Proctor and Hughes' Chemical Hazards of the Workplace, 5th Edition
- Productivity Measurement in Regulated Industries (Economic Theory, Econometrics, and Mathematical Economics)
- Profiting By Phone: No Nonsense Skills and Techniques for Selling and Getting Leads by Telephone
- Pullman Porters and the Rise of Protest Politics in Black America, 1925-1945 (The John Hope Franklin Series in African American History and Culture)
- Resumes That Will Get You the Job You Want
- Secrets Of Superstar Speakers: Wisdom from the Greatest Motivators of Our Time
- Sensors and Signal Conditioning, 2nd Edition
- Shifting Into Higher Gear: An Owner's Manual for Uniting Your Calling and Career
Books Index
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The One-Page Proposal: How to Get Your Business Pitch onto One Persuasive Page
Handbook For Writing Proposals
Guerrilla Marketing for Consultants: Breakthrough Tactics for Winning Profitable Clients
Powerful Proposals: How to Give Your Business the Winning Edge
Writing Winning Business Proposals: Your Guide to Landing the Client, Making the Sale and Persuading the Boss
