What are the most effective ways to follow up on a proposal and get feedback for business development?

Grundlegend ist immer, jeden Schritt zu protokollieren und die gesetzten Ziele nachzuvollziehen, ansonsten verliert man sich in Details und das Projekt versandet

Setting a mutually acceptable timeline with clients before sending a business proposal is essential for fostering transparency, managing expectations, and building a strong foundation for collaboration. A clear timeline establishes a framework for both parties, ensuring alignment on key milestones and deadlines. This not only demonstrates professionalism but also helps in avoiding misunderstandings or potential conflicts. Additionally, it showcases your commitment to a systematic and organized approach, instilling confidence in the client about your reliability. A well-defined timeline enables efficient planning and resource allocation, facilitating a smoother progression through subsequent steps and processes.

In my experience in B2B sales at least.. it’s always best to provide time based discounts which ramp down regularly. For instance provide a 20% discount for a 1 day approval on proposal. Drop it to 10% for within a week and 5% for within 2 weeks. No discount thereafter. The customer will be rushed by default and in follow ups all we have to remind is expiry of the discount

Agreed. Over follow up sometime invite frustration. A timeline is a free space for both sender & receiver, if proposal workable people revert with own terms, open a gateway on next course of action....

Be an actual human being. We haven't been replaced with AI robots just yet, so have actual conversations. Be courteous and professional but not stuffy and too manicured. Do NOT approach the customer with the attitude that they owe you something, because they do not. All of these "tips" are great, but at the end of the day people want to deal with people they don't mind working with... they don't have to be your best friend, just don't be someone they want to avoid.

For me, the effectiveness of follow-ups significantly increased when I adopted a multi-channel approach. Rather than relying solely on emails, I diversified my communication methods to include personalized messages, community forms and engaging video messages.

It’s sided to work through a single channel - no matter how strong. Every sustainable relationship requires multiple persistent fronts of engagement; each complementary to the other, and collectively building momentum towards the solution larger than any one channel could offer. More than simply a strategy for diversification, this multi pronged approach is what in the end makes the difference for a great outcome.

Diverse channels enhance communication. Diversify follow-up channels: email for updates, phone to build rapport, video call for demos, and social media for content and testimonials.

Remember text messaging. You have to adapt to the customer's preference for communication tools. You'll need to try each channel to determine the customer's recipe since not every customer should be treated the same way.

Communicating through multiple channels might not be a best way but a tactful communication strategy can be implemented for follow ups where there cold responses through preferred channels. It is always good to address a quick check-up email with your client for follow ups. Phone, whatsapp, Teams, Slack, and LinkedIn Messages works great to drop some information related to proposal or recent activity rather than putting client in a spotlight investigating for answers.

In my experience, instead of asking direct yes-or-no questions, I employed open-ended inquiries to encourage a more comprehensive response. I asked, "What aspects of our proposal align most closely with your current business goals?" This prompted the client to delve into their specific objectives, providing insights that surpassed a simple acknowledgment of the proposal. I not only gained valuable feedback but also established a collaborative dialogue. The client felt heard, and their detailed responses allowed for a more tailored approach in addressing their concerns and refining the proposal.

I consider very efficient the iterative approach, by sharing drafts of the proposal at early versions to gather incremental feedback. This can guide reviewers and make the feedback proceso more organized and effective. Adding diversity to the approach to obtain different viewpoints can also enrich the process. And never forget to express gratitude and say thanks.

Crafting open-ended questions is akin to opening a dialogue rather than merely seeking answers. These questions delve into the intricacies of client expectations, concerns, and aspirations, fostering a deeper understanding and setting the stage for more meaningful collaboration.

In my opinion ,open ended question is an effective tool to use as it encourages a meaningful dialogue which shows your interest in his discussion and opinions Moreover? this approach is considered as an invitation to the recipient to share his thoughts and insights which is a valuable information for the business sustainability and growth

If your target audience is a larger business or corporate then it is prudent to understand the internal process and journey that your proposal needs to go on and who will ultimately be making the decision. Once successful it is also prudent to know more than one contact point within that organisation just so that should your main contact move on, then you don’t face as high a risk that you may be starting all over again.

There's two basic sides to nearly all proposals - there's what you pay and there's what you get. Think about that for a second. When someone gets more perceived value than the perceived cost (E.g. they get more than they pay for), excess value is created in their mind. The most succesful business development professionals are highly skilled at painting a picture of a future state that provides radically "more" than what the client pays for. My reccomendation has always been that great solution sellers spend vastly more time on the "what the client gets" portion vs the "what they pay". Said differently, if the "I get" is perceived too low, you'll spend a lot of time discounting to bring the "I pay" in balance — reducing value for both sides.

To motivate prompt feedback, offer something of value in return. Whether it's additional information, exclusive insights, or a personalized solution, providing an incentive can make your follow-up more compelling. Moreover, infuse a sense of urgency into your message by highlighting the benefits of a swift response. Emphasize how your proposal can address their needs, solve challenges, or seize opportunities immediately, reinforcing the idea that time is of the essence.

Reconceptualize what “follow up” means to you and think of it not just as nagging reminders (all too common), but chances to make things fresh and provide valuable nuggets that drive FOMO. Do this right, and not only do you create a sense of urgency to win deals, but you might even increase the size/scope of your deal if you play it right.

Everyone can sell a good quality product or service, what matters is what value you have added in the business relation with your customer. The repo that you can build with the client is based on what value you have added to the product or service. You can provide equivalent product/service at equivalent cost to the customer but what will make you stand ahead of your competition is the value addition that you are providing. Customer will always give you preference on the value addition.

Your follow-up should not just be a formality; it should bring tangible value. Share additional insights, resources, or exclusive information that amplifies the perceived worth of your proposal. Introduce a sense of urgency, emphasizing the immediate benefits of their timely engagement.

Shifting from sporadic connections to a structured approach brings immediate impactful changes. My method starts by identifying your top 20-30 supporters, your 'legends.' Clients often realize they've only reached half of them in 30 days, missing out on potential value. I advise reaching out to one 'legend' daily with something valuable – an intro, advice, or feedback. Within a month, you've connected with everyone, forming a new habit. This consistency enhances connections and system sophistication. By committing to this, in a year, you've added value 250 times to vital network members. This practice minimizes risk in relationship building. The five minutes daily spent connecting? It's a surefire way to unlock remarkable opportunities.

You shouldn't be annoying 10000% Just be creative. 1) like rephrase your favorite songs with your prospect's name and create a post about it 2) record a video with balloons and name of the prospect on it 3) order a pillow with your prospect's face and send it over PLEASE be unexpected and you'll receive a reply

I my experience the sales process requires disciplined and consistent actions. It is important to set a route for the process and be a consultant for the customer and give and ask for clear and clean steps and timeline.

I disagree with the viewpoint of consistent follow ups until you get a reply. Following up is vital but know when to stop. Continuously following up every 3-5 days with no response is a sure fire way to ruin your credibility and reputation. Sometimes you need to accept when a lead has been lost. If there is a genuine reason for a delay they will return.

Following up on a proposal effectively involves a strategic approach. Send a polite and concise follow-up email or message, expressing continued interest. Offer to address any questions or concerns and emphasize the proposal's value. Schedule a follow-up call or meeting to discuss the proposal in detail. Personalize your approach and showcase your commitment to meeting the client's needs.

When building a business proposal, especially in the early stages of complex pitching processes, always strive to provide flexibility / options with different scoping and pricing to be able to refine and narrow down as the pitching process evolves. This will maximize the chances to achieve the best balance until the deal is closed.

Missing from the list is to build and use relationships. Ideally you have built relationship with client before the start of any business development. If not, it may make sense to find out if you know and trust someone who does know the client, he/she can introduce you or organise a dinner. Go slow, get to know the client and build trust. First the who. Then the what/how/when/etc. It takes two to tango.

Effectively following up on a proposal in business development involves a strategic and personalized approach. Initiate timely communication to express continued interest and inquire about the status of the proposal. Seek feedback by posing specific questions regarding the client's expectations, concerns, and any areas for improvement. Demonstrate responsiveness and adaptability by addressing any queries promptly. Schedule follow-up meetings to discuss the proposal in-depth, allowing for a collaborative exploration of potential modifications.

Following up on business proposals is crucial for business development. Firstly, prompt communication is key. Send a polite follow-up email shortly after submitting the proposal, expressing gratitude and reiterating key points. Secondly, personalize your approach by addressing specific aspects of the proposal. This shows genuine interest and commitment. Thirdly, leverage multiple channels such as phone calls or in-person meetings for a more direct and personal connection. Finally, be persistent but not pushy, allowing the recipient sufficient time to review the proposal and provide thoughtful feedback.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business development, adaptability is crucial. Keep an eye on industry trends, emerging technologies, and shifting market dynamics. Be prepared to adjust your strategies and proposals accordingly. Additionally, nurturing relationships beyond the initial proposal is vital. Maintain a genuine interest in your prospect's business, regularly check in, and provide updates on how your partnership could benefit them. By staying agile and fostering ongoing connections, you'll maximize your business development efforts.