Data-Driven Proposals: How to Stand-out

Data-driven proposals are more than just documents full of numbers and statistics. They are documents that use data strategically to support your claims, demonstrate your value and connect with your readers.?

In today’s competitive landscape, crafting an informative proposal is no longer enough. By embracing data-driven proposals, you can educate and persuade.?

This blog shares strategies and writing tips for creating sticky proposals that engage and convert.?

Data-driven Proposals; Why They Work

Using concrete evidence and insights, data-driven proposals showcase the value you offer. They also make your proposals more relatable, memorable, and persuasive.

• Increased Credibility. Humans are hardwired to trust objective information. Data removes bias while adding weight to your claims. This reduced bias builds trust and credibility.???
• Stronger Stand-out. Humans naturally gravitate towards things that are different. Data makes your tangible results stand-out, making it easier for readers to absorb information. This makes readers more receptive to your proposal.?
• Improved Decision-Making. With complex information, humans tend to rely on mental shortcuts. Data short circuits these default shortcuts by reducing uncertainty and mental load. This makes your proposal easier to understand and evaluate.?
• Enhanced Persuasiveness. Humans are more receptive to information backed by evidence. Data quantifies your positive impact based on what the reader values. This connects with their values and concerns, making your proposal more emotionally persuasive.??

Drowning in Data, Starving for Evidence

Data unlocks credibility, trust and favorable decisions. Yet, a simple paradox blocks our goal; we are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information.?

• Data Availability. Sifting through vast amounts of information is time-consuming and frustrating. Especially when you have to search through multiple siloed sources one at a time. This limits your data and weakens your proposal claims.???
• Data Interpretation. Data points on their own do not provide enough context. There might be different ways to interpret the same data. Mistaking data leads to misleading conclusions that weaken your proposal claims.?
• Data Storytelling. Simply presenting raw data without context won’t resonate with your readers. Yet, mapping each complex data point to your story takes time.??

How to Write a Data-Driven Proposal

In today's competitive landscape, data has emerged as a game-changer. It allows you to move beyond mere claims and build a stronger case supported by objective evidence.?

Engage with your audience

Data engages readers by giving them tools to better understand, verify, and quantify your claims. Choose the right data; what will resonate most and directly address their concerns?

Imagine you are bidding software that improves efficiency and productivity.?

• Data-driven Argument. Our software offers a robust suite of features, including real-time collaboration, workflow and layout templates, that accelerates writing.??

This impressive list of features demonstrates the software’s capabilities. But it fails to engage the reader because it doesn’t illustrate the real-world impact of your software.?

• Data-driven Story. Imagine your proposal process; you experience fragmented collaboration, inconsistent formatting, and see RFPs stacking up. Our software eliminates these problems by connecting them, and taking the manual, repetitive work off their plates. In fact, our clients report delivering large, complex proposals 70% faster with the same staff.?

This revised approach engages the reader by presenting data that invites them to imagine the benefits. This fosters a more interactive and impactful proposal.

Make an impact on your audience

Data impacts the reader’s thinking by providing the objective evidence they need to drive their decision-making. For example, highlighting the before and after compares data points, and demonstrates a tangible impact that strengthens your argument.?

Imagine you are bidding software that improves accuracy and speed.?

• Data-driven Argument. Our state-of-the-art software combines a robust rules engine with your business rules for quoting accuracy and speed.??

We share that our software meets their needs. But our proposal fails to connect these software details to real-world benefits for the reader.?

• Data-driven Story. Your quoting process is a high-wire act. Unfortunately, complex products and services stand in your way, throwing you off balance. Before working with us, it took our clients days to configure and price a quote. Today, they deliver error-free quotes 50% faster.

This revised approach uses information to support the story. It focuses on people to make it more interesting and relatable.

Make an emotional connection with your audience

Data connects with the reader's hearts by providing context. Be human; explain the significance of the data and how it translates to real-world benefits for your reader.?

Imagine you are bidding consulting services for business process improvement.?

• Data-driven Argument. Our firm has a history and track record of success. On average, our clients experience a 20% increase in efficiency when they start working with us. Additionally, they typically see a 15% reduction in costs within the first year.?

While this information is valuable, it lacks an emotional connection and doesn't tell the whole story. What’s in it for them??

• Data-driven Story. Watching your business struggle with quoting delays is frustrating. It hinders your revenue and your growth opportunities. We help clients find friction and fix issues in their quoting processes to increase efficiency by 20% and reduce costs by 15%.?

The new approach helps you explain the challenges better. It also shows how your services help achieve their goals. This leads to real business benefits. This makes your proposal more impactful and memorable.

Solve the Data Access Obstacle

We’ve established the strength of data-driven proposals. They captivate the reader and influence the decision-maker. One hurdle remains - data access.

Searching for data is time-consuming, especially when it requires jumping from silo to silo, system to system. The vast amount of information is overwhelming, making it difficult to identify relevant data. Even after finding relevant data, understanding its context, limitations and proper interpretation is challenging.?

Unlock the full potential of your data:??

• Access. Make data more accessible with a centralized content library that doesn’t require tagging. Search, filter and leverage AI-powered suggestions to quickly find that needle in the haystack.?
• Interpret. Provide context with your data that outlines the broader situation it represents. Define how to use it to solve problems and inform decision-makers.
• Maintain. Standardize your library with data points and images. Ease maintenance with in-document tasks and workflow. Control accuracy and consistency with master content.?

The road to harnessing the power of data-driven proposals, and creating more competitive proposals, is here. Learn how XaitPorter can help.

Related Article: How to Write a Persuasive Proposal: Convincing Clients