research proposal example for marketing

How to Create a Market Research Proposal (+Template)

Continuing the market research series, in this article, we’ll discuss what a market research proposal is and how to create one.

To recap, what we’ve covered so far in the series, we’ve talked about what market research is, the different types of market research you need to do to grow your business, and the benefits of conducting market research .

What is A Market Research Proposal

Conducting market research is expensive, and if you work in a large organization, then you would need to justify such expenses.

Before conducting your research you’d need to shed some light on past data about your market, gaps in the data, and why new research is necessary.

This is where a Market Research Proposal come in to play.

Typically, a research proposal is a document proposing a research project, usually, these proposals are done by a scientist or an academic. 

The proposals are then evaluated on the cost and potential impact of the proposed research, and on the soundness of the proposed plan for carrying it out. Research proposals generally address several key points:

• What research question(s) will be addressed, and how they will be addressed
• How much time and expense will be required for the research
• What prior research has been done on the topic
• How the results of the research will be evaluated
• How the research will benefit the sponsoring organization and other parties involved

The same principles apply here, only that your business market environment is what is being researched, which is your target market.

A market research proposal is a document that details the what, the where, the when and the how of market research and the information and costs associated with it.

If this sounds complicated, then here’s what you need to know about a market proposal. It addresses:

• Why market research is necessary and what you aim to gain from the research
• What resources are required for the research
• Past research done on your market
• How the data from this market research will be collected, stored and used
• How the research will benefit your business

Keep in mind that at this point you are not conducting the research yet, you are simply providing a rationale behind why market research is necessary.

In the next article in this “Market Research” series, we will discuss the process of conducting market research, but for now, we need to provide a compelling document on why, how, when and where the research will be conducted.

11 Steps to Create A Market Research Proposal

Now that you know what a market research proposal is, it’s time to create one. There are 11 steps to create a sound and compelling market research proposal

1. Market Research Proposal Summary

Start your proposal by briefly explaining the purpose of the market research and why it is required. Also, give an overview of what the desired outcome of the market research is.

If your business is interested in pouring resources into an in-depth market research then surely, there is something you hope to gain from it.

Remember to provide reasoning for the need of this specific market research and let whoever is reading this, such as the CEO, COO. know what contributions this research will make to the company.

TEMPLATE TO USE:

The market research project, entitled [RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE] hopes to discover more information regarding market trends in [SPECIFIC AREA]. The following summary will give an overview of the causes, processes, and possible effects of the market research proposal, detailed below.

2. Research Objectives

In this section of your proposal give full details about what problem has been identified that requires market research to be conducted. I.e. Show why there is a specific need for this research in the first place.

Explain what the market research results will be used for and how they will help achieve the overall goals. Describe the goals which you hope to achieve with this project.

The proposed market research project contains the following objectives:

• Objective one
• Objective two

3. Background Information on Past Market Research

Odds are you’re not the first person/company to conduct research on your market. This means that there is existing information on your market. However, this knowledge might be outdated, or might not provide the data your business needs.

So, in this section explain what information already exists on this topic and what is already known. Also, highlight the gaps in knowledge that the market research will hopefully fill.

Here you will show information from existing sources regarding the specific topic to be researched. It is great to provide cited sources, graphs, charts, and statistics. 

You will use this section to show that you know a great deal about the market you will be researching, but you also need to show the holes in the current knowledge.

You can then demonstrate the specific need for your proposed research plan, and how this market research plan will fill these holes and contribute to the knowledge of this subject.

4. Market Research Proposal Hypothesis

If your business needs to conduct market research, then you probably have a few ideas of what you hope to get or learn from the research.

In this section describe what you believed to be the likely outcome of the market research and what you hope to learn.

5. Research Target Audience

Your business doesn’t target everyone, and odds are your business targets different audience types. So who is this research targeted at?

This is a very important part of your proposal and you need to be as detailed as possible about the target audience or audiences you will be researching.

Also, describe how you will source this target audience and how you will ensure they meet the correct criteria.

6. Data Collection of Market Research

Time to get to the good stuff. In this part of your proposal, you MUST detail all the data collection methods that will be used during the market research and, how they will be carried out. 

You MUST also explain how the accuracy of data will be maintained, how potential candidates for the research will be approached and, if applicable, how they will be reimbursed for their time and contribution.

Use specifics and consider potential questions such as.

• How will you maintain the accuracy of data? 
• How will you approach potential survey or research candidates? 
• Will these participants be paid for their time? 
• At what times of day will you make phone calls? 
• In what ways will you ensure an accurate data sample? 

The more information you can provide in this section, the better.

Our methods of data collection will be best suited to the project at hand. Research methods will include:

• Focus groups
• Collection of social media data
• Surveys via the Internet, phone, or email
• Long range in-home consumer tests
• Distribution of samples
• In person promotionals

These individuals will be selected [HOW THEY ARE SELECTED] to ensure an appropriately constituted pool of data from which we can infer accurate insights and trends.

The pool itself comprises of individuals who have expressed to us an interest in participating in such surveys, and they will be compensated by [METHOD OF COMPENSATION]….

7. Research and Analysis Methodology

In this section of your proposal, you are to discuss the strengths and possible limitations of your research methods. 

Provide an overall blueprint for your methodology in approaching research data, and describe the implications of each method of data collection, and explain the methods you will use to interpret the data. 

Lastly, discuss the means of evaluating the collected data and how you will account for errors, holes in data, or inaccuracies.

8. Ethics to be Followed During Research

You’re almost done with your proposal, but there are still a few important details that need to be included. 

Explain how the market research will adhere to ethical codes by thinking about how issues such as participant confidentiality, data security, privacy, and consent of research participants will be addressed.

Include waivers or documents you plan to provide to research participants, if applicable

9. Market Research Timeline

In this section, provide a detailed timeline of when the research needs to begin and when a full report is required, ensure sufficient and realistic time for both data collection and data analysis are considered.

Market Research Timeline

• Task 1 ([DATE] [TIME])
• Task 2 ([DATE] [TIME])
• Task 3 ([DATE] [TIME])

10. Market Research Budget

We’re almost done with our proposal, but it’s time to include arguably the most important section. After all, if your company does not have the funds and resources then there would be no research in the first place.

Provide an overall budget for the proposed project. Make sure to include all possible cost considerations. You can provide a breakdown of those here. 

Don’t forget budgets for sections such as Participant Reimbursement, funds for documents, rental space.

11. Conclusion

This is the last part of your market research proposal. You can add ways in which this market research will provide further benefits or include unique applications of the potential results.

Now that you know the market research proposal process and the importance of market research, in the next article will discuss the actual market research process.

Comment with any questions you have about Market Research Proposals and I will get back to you ASAP.

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How to write a persuasive marketing proposal

Shawn Herring VP of Marketing at PandaDoc

• Copy Link Link copied

Writing a strong marketing proposal can be a tricky business. Unlike proposals for physical goods or traditional services, it’s easy for proposals centered around marketing to come across as fluid or intangible.

That’s because results for marketing are notoriously difficult to track, and it can be hard to nail down the true ROI of any marketing strategy.

A marketing proposal gives you a chance to show a prospect exactly how you plan to execute an effective strategy while accounting for all those variables.

Let’s take a closer look at what you should do in order to knock your next marketing proposal out of the park.

→DOWNLOAD NOW: FREE MARKETING PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

What is a marketing proposal?

A marketing proposal is a document that details the steps your organization will take to help a company market its products, goods, or services to customers.

This document is targeted toward project stakeholders and key decision-makers, many of whom may have limited marketing experience and are looking for details about how you intend to execute a successful marketing strategy .

Depending on your approach, you may include a variety of strategies as part of your marketing proposal outline, including both physical and digital approaches to marketing and promotion.

A marketing proposal should also clearly illustrate what makes you better than other marketing agencies and why a client should choose to work with you over your competitors.

Step 1: Research your client’s needs

A marketing proposal must be targeted to your intended clients. This means doing research on the client’s firm or business, identifying the client’s problems and marketing needs, and understanding what their competitors are already doing.

Researching your client may take some time but will result in a more comprehensive proposal.

Look for what marketing specialists call “pain points.”

A pain point is a problem within the client’s marketing strategy that needs to be repaired, but the client either doesn’t know how or doesn’t realize it’s a problem.

A pain point could be a poorly targeted ad campaign or an improperly monitored Facebook page.

The goal of early research is to find these issues, then surprise the client by describing the problem and the solution before they ask.

You can obtain this information from a variety of sources:

‌1. Discussion with the client. Sitting down with the client to discuss the project and feel out the pain points will yield a great deal of additional information. How much the client is willing to spend and the kind of time frame they want will come up in your discussions.

2‌. Social media. Analyzing your clients’ Facebook, Yelp, and Google reviews can tell you where their potential weak and strong areas are.

3‌. Regional data. By learning about marketing preferences in your client’s area, you can tell them what types of services you will provide to meet their needs in your proposal.

Step 2: Develop an action plan

Once you have collated all your research, you will develop a marketing plan for the client.

This plan will form the basis of your proposal, and it will give you clarity in regarding how you should proceed when developing your outline.

Action plans let you know how you should approach project stakeholders, what solutions you have in your toolkit to tackle their outstanding issues, and how you can help them address their pain points while helping them achieve their goals.

This is the “sales strategy ” part of the proposal.

In a nutshell: What are you going to say to your prospective customer that would entice them to do business with you? What do you need to show them to prove that you can help to get them where they want to go?

How to develop an action plan

1. Identify each issue and your strategy for dealing with that issue. Each identified issue should have a problem statement and a proposed solution based on your discussions with the client. For instance, if the client’s main problem is that their social media advertising lacks targeted keywords, that would be the problem statement.

2. Estimate the time needed for each proposed solution. This will provide the numbers for the timeline that goes into the proposal.

This is where you will determine how long your staff needs to complete their parts of the solution, how long an off-site contractor will take to return a project, and so on. By estimating the total time needed, you will have numbers to plug into your client’s timeline.

3. List any measurements or metrics that will be used to assess the success of your solution. These factors will go into the proposal at the end of the timeline so the client will know when the project is complete.

When this is done, you can sit down to write the proposal.

Step 3: Create an outline or framework

Once your research is done and your action plan is developed, you should set up your basic outline or framework that you can use to deliver all of your information in the most effective way possible.

And this is where templates become very important for speedy and concise proposal development.

As with many business documents, marketing proposals will contain a standardized set of information about your business, along with the goods and services that you provide.

After your research is complete, you’ll need to customize your service offering to align with your customer’s business needs.

Templating tools make it fast and easy to streamline this task, which can turn proposal development from a days-long process into something that can be completed in minutes.

What should be included in your marketing proposal?

No matter the type of proposal you are writing, it should always contain the following information:

• Your company information. This is data about who you are, why you are uniquely qualified for this job, and why the client should pick you over any other agency. Your company information can be kept in a separate file because it will be mostly the same for each proposal. Your team should have standard bios and headshots ready to go for each project.
• Knowledge of the issues . This will summarize the data you obtained in your research and discussion sessions. For example, if your client is launching a new product and is looking for a digital marketing strategy, you might want to bring search data, estimated advertising costs for winning keywords, and examples of previous launch campaigns you’ve done that illustrate your success.
• Methodology and pricing. This is what you are going to do and how much it will cost. Methodology and pricing usually have their own section, near the end of your proposal.
• Initial action plan. The action plan in the proposal may be your final offer or not, as discussed below.

Step 4: Write the marketing proposal

With all of these elements together, you can write the proposal.

Your marketing proposal will have several distinct parts:

• Executive summary (introduction)
• Action plan (methodology)
• Research and brainstorming
• Conclusion and next steps

1. Cover page

It might seem superfluous or unnecessary, but a good cover page is the first thing your potential client will see.

Even in our digital age, proposals are printed out or hard copies may be requested, so a good cover page or title page is a must.

The cover page should have your company’s name and contact information, the client’s name and contact information, and the preparer.

PandaDoc’s proposal templates have cover pages to suit every need, with customizable options to fit your business design.

2. Executive summary

Also called the introduction, the executive summary is a brief overview of who your company is, what your proposal offers, and why this proposal should be accepted by the client.

Although the executive summary is the first thing your client will read (and possibly the only thing), you should write it last, after the rest of the proposal has been completed.

The executive summary should be a balance between a general overview of the goals of the project and the research you’ve based your project on, without being too broad and nonspecific.

The executive summary should provide the reader with a good idea of what the project is going to accomplish without getting bogged down in technical details.

If your proposal is delivered in electronic format, the executive summary can include links to your company website or other documentation.

If the proposal is meant to be printed or will be both electronic and printed, your internal links should also include footnotes or a bibliography with links for the readers to access later.

3. Action plan

The action plan is the meat of your proposal. In this section, which may include multiple subsections, you will lay out the plan that you devised from your analysis and discussions with the client during the research phase.

A possible plan might look like this:

Part one: State the issue you will be focusing on. Using the information from your research, describe the problem specifically and how your proposal will address it.

For example: “We found that your Facebook advertising is missing about one-third of your target market,” or “We intend to re-optimize your SEO (search engine optimization) so that your advertising falls back in line with your intended audience.”

Part two: Give a timeline for both managing the issue and assessing your solution.

For example: “We have allotted four weeks for the optimization and will assess the effectiveness in three months, six months, and nine months to allow for the time it takes for the change to show up in Facebook’s algorithms.”

Part three: Explain how any issues that might arise will be handled and what follow-up the client can expect.

For example: “If it appears in three months that the desired effect is not beginning to appear, our SEO experts will reassess your advertising to see if the ads need to be reworded. ”

Part four: Describe how your pricing is managed.

For example: “The optimization is done on a contract basis per project, and the monitoring of your advertising is done in-house on an hourly basis.”

This would be repeated for each step of the proposed project. Small projects or proposals would naturally have shorter action plans, whereas large projects or clients might have multiple plans with many subsections.

One caveat: The proposal should not be so complicated that it is impossible to read. If the project is so large that it requires multiple action plans, it would be best to write a separate proposal for each section.

4. Timeline

Each part of the action plan will have a short timeline of its own, but the entire project should have a timeline from start to finish, and this timeline will have its own section in your proposal.

Deadlines are an important part of any contract. If any of the deadlines in your proposal are not feasible for you or the client, it is best to know about it during the proposal process, and not after the final contract has been signed.

Surprisingly, many proposals fail to include a timeline, either because the writer didn’t think it was important or believed that it would be included in the contract.

A timeline in your proposal shows that your team has already thought about how and when the important parts of the project are due and what both you and the client can expect.

The timeline gives both you and the client a visual representation of the project and what benchmarks to expect going forward.

5. Research and brainstorming

In this section, you should provide a detailed explanation of the research and analysis that went into developing your action plan.

Include any market research and trends you relied upon and information about discussions and brainstorming sessions you engaged in with your client and focus groups.

For smaller projects, this section might be incorporated into the action plan. Larger projects will need more information gathering, and the client will appreciate seeing the work you put into it.

This is also a place to provide support for your plans by showing the current technology in the field.

Pricing needs to be detailed and specific.

Don’t be afraid to tell your client exactly how much something will cost. It’s better to be upfront about cost than to surprise the client later with unexpected expenses.

Precise cost estimates also prevent scaring the client with ballpark estimates that might be too large.

By creating a comprehensive action plan ahead of time, you can clearly describe to your client what is going to be done and how much each step will cost. This avoids sticker shock later on.

Responsive pricing tables let you define each step as a separate line item with its own price.

For large or complex projects, for instance, where your team will have to handle coding as well as SEO and placement, each step would have its own line and price.

This lets the client decide if a step is one they want and whether the price is reasonable to them. Responsive pricing is a key part of negotiating a proposal.

7. Conclusion

All proposals should have a wrap-up page that finishes the proposal. In an electronic format, there should be a link to redirect the viewer to the contract and the executive summary.

The conclusion should be brief, no more than one or two lines, to let the client know they have reached the end of your proposal.

If the proposal is intended to be an actual offer, there are two more sections you will need to include.

Step 5: Winning the bid

If your proposal is meant to be an actual offer for a contract, your proposal needs to have terms and conditions and an agreement to the contract section.

For your general template, you can leave out the terms and conditions and just write this section for each new client as you obtain them.

Proposal legality

From the perspective of legality, there are a few caveats to consider as you finalize your marketing proposal.

If written in a specific way, it’s possible for your proposal to be construed as a contract.

Keep in mind that a contract requires the following :

• Consideration

As you’re generating your proposal, especially when using tools that empower readers to sign off on your proposal, it’s possible for the details of the proposal to be considered as a contract.

If that is your intent, be sure to have your in-house counsel or an attorney review your package before you send it out.

(This is not intended to be legal advice!)

Terms and conditions

The terms and conditions page must include all the requirements for the client to accept the proposal as written.

To be a legal contract, the terms and conditions must include the start date, the end date, the agreed-upon price, and how payments will be accepted.

The terms and conditions must also make it clear whether the contract will allow amendments before signing without altering the amount due.

Agreement and call to action

The agreement language needs to be precise and make it clear that the client is accepting the proposal on the date of signing, and that work will commence with the signing of the document.

Never assume that the client has accepted the proposal until you get the signed copy back!

On the flip side, make sure the client understands that you won’t begin working until they sign.

Many clients assume that the proposal is the contract and that work has begun, but have been surprised to learn months later that you are still waiting to hear from them.

Following up with them within a day or two is essential.

Marketing proposal examples and templates to bring it all together

PandaDoc has identified the best marketing campaign proposal templates for nearly every business. These easy-to-use templates have helped companies large and small put together proposals in less time than they thought possible!

For example, Arinex event management cut their proposal time by 25% using PandaDoc templates and increased their closing success rate by 32% .

Bonusly, a B2B software company , experienced a whopping 70% reduction in paperwork thanks to PandaDoc’s flexible template design.

Take a look at these stellar examples of marketing proposals from our template library and community gallery . All of these can be imported into the PandaDoc document editor for fast and easy reuse.

Marketing proposal template

This marketing service proposal template is suitable for small business proposals. It includes a straightforward layout that lets you show your prospective clients that you can meet their goals in a timely and cost-effective manner.

A winning marketing proposal has all the elements in a logical order, and a good template won’t let you forget any of them.

Video proposal template

Embedded video is now nearly a requirement for websites and online advertising.

Videographers need an electronic proposal that showcases their skills and demonstrates their ability to address the client’s issues as effectively as any written proposal.

Product and service videos can show off in a few seconds what it takes words pages to describe. This template gives video specialists the chance to present a proposal in a visual format where their skills can shine.

Social media marketing proposal template

Social media marketing proposal template includes everything from Facebook to Twitter and more.

Being able to pitch a marketing plan to clients both large and small requires a template that highlights your team and your research into social media optimization for the client’s market.

PandaDoc has general templates as well as Facebook- and Twitter-specific templates to focus your abilities in those areas. Templates are recommended by all marketing strategy gurus, and these are some of the best available.

Some last do’s and don’ts about marketing proposals

You’ve written your proposal and sent it off to your potential client. While you wait for it to be reviewed and sent back, there are likely other proposals to write.

Here are some tips to consider for your marketing proposals:

• Do have someone edit your proposal before you send it out. Besides running a spell check and grammar check, have a fresh set of eyes go over it for typos that the spell check might not catch. Nothing looks as bad as mistaking “their” for “there” and other common typos.
• Don’t spend too much time on yourself instead of your client. How you’re going to help the client deal with their needs and problems is most important.
• Do include graphics and statistics where relevant. Clients love to see clear charts and eye-catching images. A picture is worth a thousand words, even in your marketing proposal.
• Don’t reinvent the wheel. PandaDoc has many templates available that can be customized to suit your needs. You have enough to do without creating a whole new template for your company.
• Do remember that you’re selling yourself. It’s easy to forget that your product is you and your company. It’s OK to upsell your brand, as long as it isn’t obtrusive.
• Lastly, don’t fill your proposal with fluff. If you have nothing to say, say nothing. Short and concise is always best for proposals.

Make your first impression count

The proposal is your opening into your client’s business, and it should look as good as anything you present to the customer.

These tips and links should give you the edge you need to produce a clear, clean marketing proposal for all of your clients’ needs.

Want to create awesome proposals in record time? Sign up for a free 14-day trial with PandaDoc and see how our template and content management tools make proposal generation a breeze.

Originally published May 9, 2014, updated December 15, 2021

Marketing Proposal Template

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Market Research Proposal Template

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How To Write Market Research Proposal: Tips and Best Practices

Entrepreneurs and companies need to get critical information about their industry or specific market landscape to help ensure their business becomes a success.

This is where market research plays a role. But to be effective, proper steps must be outlined through a market research proposal.

If you’re a business owner or a marketer, you must learn how to write a market research proposal correctly . So here’s a handy step-by-step guide on how to do just that. Plus, we’ll throw in a free template to help you get started.

Table of Contents

How To Write a Market Research Proposal

When drafting a market research proposal , you can adopt various styles depending on the industry or business. But to put forth a more organized proposal, it helps to adhere to proven structures and follow these steps.

1. Start with an overview

It’s always wise to open with an overview to give the readers of the proposal a general idea of what the market research is all about, as well as set their expectations. If you don’t want to use the term overview, you can also go with an executive summary or an introduction.

You can do a simple overview consisting of one to three paragraphs. Or if the situation calls for it, you can also present your executive summary with supporting information that may include any or all of the following:

• Definition of terms. List the terms that will be used in the market research proposal. Make sure to define them properly.
• Market conditions. Give an overall picture of the current market conditions. Explain the industry’s state and the competition level, as well as mention relevant economic or even political factors.
• Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. You can also present market conditions through a SWOT diagram, which summarizes everything neatly.
• Feasibility. If you want to cut to the chase, state the overall feasibility. You can also consider including the potential ROI (return on investment ).

2. Define the objectives

When writing a market research proposal, define the project’s goals as clearly as possible. You can begin with a larger, encompassing objective and then break it up with its corresponding parts. 

If you are dealing with multiple goals, make sure to explain how each separate objective relates to or affects one another.

Remember that clearly defined goals will guide the execution of the market research project – from the budget to the types of surveys or questions you will use.

3. Outline the execution

Market research can be accomplished in various ways, but there needs to be a clear plan for executing it.

Outline your methodology and approach to getting the information you need. As far as methods are concerned, you can choose from options like organizing focus groups, deploying online surveys, or holding interviews over the phone or face-to-face.

You should also consider if your approach is multi-faceted. Will the surveys be done once or through a series of batches? Will you follow up on the first wave of interviews with email surveys? 

Never forget to include the rationale for choosing your methodology. Factors to remember include costs, logistics, and timeline.

4. Explain how the results will be analyzed and reported

Market research proposal creation would be incomplete without including the mechanics for analyzing and reporting the results.

You must present a concrete plan for how the market research data will be collected and safely stored. 

Next on your list is to explain how the data will be analyzed. Of course, what comes after is the reporting part. It’s more than just presenting the facts. You should also include your interpretations and, more importantly, your recommendations.

5. Discuss the timeline, costs, and conditions

Market research takes time and isn’t free. So, you’ll need to define your timeline and expected costs clearly.

It’s also important to tackle the terms and conditions of the market research project. The more transparent you are, the more you can prevent misunderstandings in the future.

Download the Market Research Proposal Template

When drafting a market research proposal, you can accomplish things faster using a reliable template. 

Sign up now for a free account at Fill to get a market research proposal template. It’s just one of several templates that we offer for free.

Market Research Proposal

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Market Research Proposal

It’s not enough to know how to draft a market research proposal. You also have to be aware of common mistakes people commit when preparing these proposals.

• Lack of details. When you already know how to create market research proposals, you use certain structures and templates repeatedly. But sometimes, you forget to add elements that make your proposal look legit instead of being an apparent copy of another.
• There is not enough review and fact-checking. We’re not talking about simple spelling and grammar errors. We’re referring to the information you included in your market research proposal. Are they up-to-date? Are the sources considered trustworthy?
• There is too much hype. Be careful not to get caught up in the excitement of your proposal. Remember that you are dealing with business people. Be realistic and be clear about the goals. The last thing you need is to promise something you can’t deliver.
• Disorganized presentation. You can follow a decent structure when writing your market research proposal. But if you don’t organize the information you present in each section, you will you’re lose your reader’s interest.
• Underestimating visuals and diagrams. Yes, it’s showing real data is important, but you can be more persuasive by strategically using visuals, graphs, charts, and tables in your proposal. 

Using Fill to Create Your Market Research Proposal

Now that you know how to write a market research proposal, it’s time to put your learnings into practice immediately.

Create an account at Fill and grab a free market research proposal template today.

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How to Write a Market Research Proposal

The market research proposal is an important first step in near all studies. First and foremost, a skeleton that details a study’s direction, goals, and focus, such proposals are typically the first point of reference for management. While the proposals make or break a project’s funding, there is one other strength no research team can ignore: direction.

Critical for any undertaking that involves research, direction helps with both the pragmatics and concepts of near all studies. Market research proposals are vital for outlining both. They also explain the potential returns or results a study can yield. Ideally, the proposal should convince outside readers while informing research and development teams.

Language is important for writing a proposal, as is organization. A lot of detail goes into the typical research proposal, and sometimes there is no clear place for essential odds and ends. Luckily, there is a general organization, or logic, that most research proposals adopt. This allows readers to quickly absorb details, jump to pertinent sections, and digest its conclusions.

While not mandatory, using these structures add a cohesion that makes reading these papers more convenient and cohesive. Length, detail, and overall complexity are all factors when considering how a research proposal should be organized. Similarly, weigh the study’s goals and potential returns. Not every proposal necessitates the same sections. In fact, simple studies can do without a lot of sections that more involved or longer studies require. That mentioned, never write off these critical five elements of your research proposal.

Overview, Definition, and Terms

Important for summing up the study’s incentives, intents, and overall feasibility, overviews prep readers for the project’s strengths. Like everything else in a proposal, clarity is also all-important. Definitions and terms are vital. Overviews are also excellent for showcasing market conditions, opportunity, goals, and overall impact to ROI. While very important, always make sure to focus on the client. Their edification should be at the forefront of any proposal writer’s mind.

Hypothesis and Goals

While referenced in the overview, extrapolation about a project’s actual agenda goes a long way. Near everyone reviewing a research proposal will search for a hypothesis. While fine to reference in the overview, an outright hypothesis will always predominate the research proposal and its direction. Be clear as possible!

The hypothesis itself, however, explains the goal’s prospective burdens, costs, and returns. Also explain how these different elements combine to form a whole level of different parts. Perhaps most intrinsic is the order of said goals, as well how they compliment each other.

Realizing goals requires exploring a range of target segments that can appreciate the product, content, or whatever else. Exploring these different targets includes any range of periphery methods, not to mention actual possibilities. What is vital, however, is a full explanation as to why the target is pertinent.

Methodology and Conditions

The logical extension, research proposals must detail methodology. Include practices and conditions, study types, analysis standards, and other crucial aspects. Make sure extrapolation focuses on the actual methodology, however. Pragmatic intricacies can be glossed over, but that really depends on the reader. Researchers will typically want to know about the whole process, while management typically focuses on efficacy and ROI.

Discuss.io can offer deliverables within 48 hours, the fastest in the industry. Establishing a clear timeline  is still critical though. Product and content dev teams typically need to keep informed. A common timeline really encourages such cohesion, not mention also keeps MR better aware as to the product or content’s direction. Along with setting a schedule, timelines also helps inform team members of their objectives and schedule. Such a cohesive view both informs researchers as reminds them of the importance of each task.

Source:  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

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Market Research Proposal Template To Close Deals

Companies that conduct market research and analysis can use our sample marketing research proposal template as an example of how to write a market research proposal, and as a guide when preparing survey proposals, data collection proposals, or business research.

This template allows you to explain your methodology for gaining qualitative and quantitative research, and provides a section to break down your research timeline into phases. It also includes a statement of work section to clarify what the customer will receive from the research, along with a detailed contract

All Proposify proposal templates are 100% customizable.

Executive Coaching Proposal Template

Companies preparing proposals coaching services can use this executive coaching proposal template when pitching their services to potential clients.

AdWords & PPC Proposal Template

The perfect pitch guide for marketing agencies offering pay-per-click (PPC) advertising services like search engine marketing (SEM) and Google Adwords.

Learn why over 10,000 businesses love Proposify

Drag & drop library sections

Managing proposals is a breeze in Proposify. Save all your case studies, fees, images and team bios all in one central library.

Tag them, search them and drop them into your layout. Proposals just got... dare we say... fun?

Online previews & signatures

No more emailing big PDFs, printing and shipping proposals or faxing back signatures (ugh). Your client gets a branded, interactive proposal they can sign off electronically. No need for extra software or logins. Oh, and we tell you as soon as your client opens it.

Track everything

Keep a pulse on your the sales pipeline of your agency. Proposify lets you know your close rate, which sections of your proposals get viewed and for how long, and all kinds of insight into what goes into your most successful proposals so you can sell smarter.

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We understand that when you’ve got questions, especially when you’re on a tight proposal deadline, you NEED answers. Our customer happiness specialists are at the ready, armed with friendly, helpful, timely support by email or online messaging. We’re here to help, regardless of which you plan you’re on or if you’re just taking us for a test drive.

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What is a Marketing Proposal, and How Can You Create One? [Template Included]

Published: October 20, 2022

Wouldn't it be great if you could provide a number for your marketing budget and the key stakeholders would just say yes or no? Even better if it was approved without asking any questions or looking at minute details.

Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way. Marketing factors into strategic business decisions, so good leaders require a thorough breakdown to be informed as they steer the organization in the best direction possible.

That's why marketing proposals are so important to budget and strategy discussions, whether you're looking to convince internal decision-makers or selling services to a client.

What is a marketing proposal?

A marketing proposal is a document provided to key stakeholders to communicate the scope of a marketing project and its budget. The goal of the proposal is to receive the approval necessary to begin moving forward with the plan as outlined.

It's wasteful to require your team to reinvent the process every time you need a formal marketing proposal. You can, however, approach proposal creation with a repeatable process to make things easier. Here's how:

• Qualify and uncover the needs of the client or internal stakeholder during a discovery session.
• Create a plan of action, your vision for what must be done to achieve their goals.
• Use a pre-built marketing proposal template so you can get it over to them as quickly as possible.

Marketing Proposal Tips From the Experts

Before we dive into examples, let's take a look at some marketing proposal tips from experts to help steer the creation of your marketing proposals.

“If you’re trying to create a winning proposal that stands out from the rest, it’s not enough to present great ideas. Your proposal needs to show that you understand this client’s specific goals and challenges and how your services, expertise, and platform recommendations are tied directly to alleviating those pain points.” - Brendan Walsh , Principal, Mole Street

"Every proposal your prospects will receive from your competitors will include a budget section. You need to go beyond that if you want to stand out from the crowd and avoid your prospect's decision being based solely on price. Focus on your unique value proposition ; what makes your firm the perfect fit to help them face their specific challenges that you've discussed in the exploratory call ? Finally, never send a proposal by email before you presented it to your lead, either in person or in a video call." - Louis Chaussé , CEO & Consultant, Auxilio

"Nothing matters until something gets sold. It's true. All the talk. All the panning. Drafts and edits of the proposal. None of it matters unless something gets sold. So what must be in a winning proposal? Three insights: 1. It's not about you. The prospect should see themselves and their objectives. Do not tell me why you matter. Tell me why I will achieve my goals. 2. Do not be boring. When you write down all the conversations, facts and insights you have shared along the journey to get to the RFP stage...you bore me. I know all that. Tell me what I need to know, that's it. 3. The RFP memorializes the proposal. Your proposal is the words out of your mouth. You should only put in an RFP what the prospect needs to memorialize from your deep conversations of agreement." - Sean Doyle , CEO and Principal, Sales and Client Strategy, FitzMartin

"Use video to walk a prospect through your proposal. Adding a walkthrough video to the beginning of your proposal adds trust and clarity for your prospect. Additionally, it will allow your proposal to stand out amongst others. Make sure to go through each section of your proposal and talk to any possible objections that may come up." - Kristopher Crockett , President & CEO, Selworthy

"In 10 years of writing marketing proposals, I've learned the hard way to only send a proposal to finalize the deal. The way your solution solves their problem should already be clear in the prospect's mind based on your discussions, with the proposal merely formalizing what you've already discussed. Even then, I'll try to have a call with the person to go through the proposal and answer their questions in real-time. Leaving someone to figure out a complex digital marketing proposal on their own leads to confusion, and hence inaction."       - Damien Elsing , Founder & Director, CLCK Digital Marketing

"Remember, a proposal is typically shared internally with other stakeholders that you may not have spoken with directly. Those folks do not have all the context from your conversations. With that known, you must ensure the proposal evokes trust in your potential partnership, showcasing that you understand the prospect's business growth goals. The SOW (scope of work) deliverables need to be clear, but ultimately, the trust built from aligning on goals is what will close the deal." - Mattan Danino , Founder & CEO, WEBITMD

5 Marketing Proposal Examples

Again, the marketing agency proposal is simply the written documentation of what you have discussed in person. You should never just send over a proposal without doing a presentation of some type, whether in-person or over Skype — you have to be the one doing the selling.

However, creating a confusing proposal that's either too long or not detailed enough can work against you.

Here's are a few examples of what great marketing proposals look like.

1. HubSpot's Free Marketing Proposal for PDF & Word

2. AppSumo Marketing Proposal Template

3. coschedule marketing proposal template (investment section).

4. Bonsai Product Marketing Proposal Template

5. SlideTeam Marketing Proposal (One-Page Infographic)

If you're looking to learn how to write your marketing proposal template or need a refresh on your current document, use the below as guidance for putting together your proposal.

As with most things related to the sales process, every client is different and these sections may or may not apply to your prospect's need.

How to Write a Marketing Proposal

• Make a good first impression on the cover page.
• Detail the findings of your discovery session with the executive summary.
• Outline their goals and challenges and set the stage for your solutions.
• Expand on the strategies and tactics you plan to use to reach their goals.
• Provide a summary where you clearly lay out the scope of work.
• Detail how you'll measure success in the metrics section.
• If it's for a client, convince them that you're the right agency for the job.
• Provide proof of success in a case studies section.
• Outline the terms and conditions/contract for the relationship.

1. Make a good first impression on the cover page.

The cover page should simply be a visually appealing starting point for your proposal. If you're preparing the proposal for a client, you should feature their brand on the cover.

From the beginning, the proposal should show that this is about the organization and its vision. Since you'll be giving this to important stakeholders and decision-makers, make sure the cover page is aesthetic and bold.

2. Detail the findings of your discovery session with the executive summary.

The executive summary should quickly detail findings from your initial discovery session such as goals, budget, and timing.

You should also describe any research you conducted and highlight a few key points — maybe a short description of how you plan to solve their most pressing problem or how you envision taking the organization to new heights.

If this is for an agency client, this is where you'd state your desire to work with the client and detail why your agency is the right firm for the project or relationship.

In either instance, you should aim to be brief throughout your marketing proposal. The experts at Motley Fool suggest treating your executive summary as an elevator pitch . If it doesn’t grab their attention, they might not read further.

3. Outline their goals and challenges and set the stage for your solutions.

Your goal during your initial meetings or when reviewing an RFP should be to uncover the main business or marketing issues being faced. Without understanding these, you cannot connect your strategy, tactics, and anticipated results to ROI.

This section should outline the goals, plans, challenges, and timeline as discussed to reiterate their current position and to set the stage for your solutions.

Questions to ask stakeholders before the marketing proposal:

• What are your revenue goals for the upcoming quarter or year?
• What metrics are you personally measured on?
• What were your goal last year/ quarter and what did you do to achieve them?
• What resources do you have to meet your current goals?
• What challenges have prevented you from reaching your previous goals?
• What other priorities exist that might take precedence over reaching these goals?
• Would you revise the goals or the timeline if the goals were not being met?

If you're trying to close a deal as an agency, you should have also discussed the reasons the client is making the change now and what the cost to his business would be if he took no action.

Would the client miss out on a bonus or promotion? Would the business have to fire people? What’s on the line if the client fails?

This reminds the prospect of the high cost of inaction and will help them to see the cost of your services in a more reasonable way.

Remember: Nothing in the proposal should really be a surprise. It should simply be the written record of previous conversations.

4. Expand on the strategies and tactics you plan to use to reach your goals.

This would be considered either the "Deliverables" or the "Approach" section depending on the type of proposal you're creating.

Here, you'll outline how you plan to solve their problems — a high-level overview should be all that is necessary — and what services you will provide. Detailed strategies should be completed once your team has a better understanding of the business.

If this is for project-based work, you should outline the phases of the project, the responsibilities of the client, and the timeline for completion.

You can follow this structure:

Website Redesign and Development

• Deliverables

For a retainer-based relationship, you should outline the various initial projects and then include the services provided per month.

It may help to outline a roadmap for the first six months if you have a process you follow with all new clients, and you should include the various upsells and what is not included in the scope of the retainer.

The below outline should be customized when creating your own proposal template:

Ramp Up Projects (Month 1 or Month 1-3)

• Initial discovery session and assessment
• Inbound marketing planning and strategy
• Editorial calendar planning
• Social media strategy planning
• Keyword research
• Competitor research
• Onsite and offsite SEO audit & planning
• Creation of buyer personas

Deliverables Per Month/Quarter

X Campaigns Per Quarter

• X blog posts
• Landing page and thank you page
• Ebook or whitepaper: writing and design
• Calls-to-action
• Email marketing launch and nurturing sequence
• Content promotion through social channels

Monthly Retainer Deliverables

• Optimization projects or A/B testing
• X Ebook per quarter
• Keyword analysis
• Link building
• Email marketing: Segmentation and management of Lists
• Email newsletter
• Lead management: Score, nurture, and qualify leads
• Social media marketing: original content creation, influencer campaigns, monitoring
• Workflows and list segmentation
• Monthly reporting

Add-On Deliverables Available Outside of Retainer Fee

• PPC advertising
• Retargeting
• Sponsorships
• Guest blogging opportunities/ media relations
• Sales and marketing alignment services
• Sales enablement content
• Content promotion
• SlideShare creation and promotion
• Video production and promotion
• Ecommerce integration
• Call tracking and nurturing
• Predictive lead scoring

Each deliverable should be explained in detail, with the proposed benefit clearly outlined.

5. Provide a summary where you clearly lay out the scope of work.

If applicable, you should line-item the various deliverables and upsells and list out the feeds associated with each. This should be no more than a one-page summary that the prospect can easily reference.

6. Detail how you'll measure success in the metrics section.

Depending on how in-depth your conversations were during the qualification phase, you may have a good understanding of the current state of the decision maker’s marketing priorities.

You could include some benchmarking data, especially if this is for a website relaunch or lead generation campaign, and then highlight proposed goals for the relationship and the timeline for reaching those goals. These could include:

• Increase Visits by X%
• Increase Leads by X%
• Increase Email Subscribers by X%
• Increase Conversion Rates by X%
• Improve Sources of Leads
• Decrease Customer Acquisition Cost by X%
• Improve Email Performance
• Increase Marketing Qualified Leads
• Increase Sales Qualified Leads

7. If it's for a client, convince them that you're the right agency for the job.

The next few sections are really more for external stakeholders than internal ones.

Once you’ve established your understanding of the client’s current marketing needs and have outlined your plan, you can then establish trust and address the chemistry aspect of the relationship in the "About Us" section.

This section should be less about awards and recognition and more about what it is like working with your team. What are your values? What is your culture like? What types of things do you value in a client relationship? Give prospects a glimpse into what it is like to work with your team.

8. Provide proof of success in a case studies section.

You could also include a few relevant case studies and testimonials to showcase past successes. These should serve to reinforce your claim that you can, in fact, deliver the results using the proposed deliverables you’ve suggested.

9. Outline the terms and conditions/ contract for the relationship.

Finally, you may need to include legal language to establish the terms of your business relationship.

This should cover the rules that govern your relationship with the client, such as payment terms, a notice of cancellation, intellectual property transfer, confidentiality, data, etc. Consult a lawyer to create this document.

You may also include the final contract in the marketing agency proposal to expedite the process of starting your relationship. Once the client is ready to sign, don’t make them reach back out to you with a request for you to send the contract. Have everything they need to close the deal.

How many pages should a marketing proposal be?

After reviewing the steps involved in writing a marketing proposal, you may be wondering how long the entire proposal should be — in other words, how many pages should you be aiming for?

Well, your marketing proposal's length is bound to be unique — not every proposal should be the same length. You want your proposal to be thorough but fluff-free — there shouldn't be anything included in the proposal that doesn't need to be there.

As you may have noticed in the above section on marketing proposal examples , there are instances in which your proposal will fit on one page and others in which you need several pages. You may also choose to create a one-page version to share with certain stakeholders as well as a detailed, multi-page marketing proposal.

If you're going with a more traditional, multi-page approach, aim to keep your marketing proposal under 15 pages if possible. Many businesses say they can fit it into 10-12 pages (or even fewer!). If you need to go longer than 15 pages, try to cap your proposal at 20 pages.

Create Your Marketing Proposal Template

One of the best things you can do is create a template to work from so that the process of creating proposals is less arduous over time.

Make your own version of the template below to make it easier for your team to put together that next proposal and easier for the potential client to go ahead and sign.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in December 2015 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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Propose a new marketing campaign or contract with this marketing proposal template.

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Free Marketing Research Proposal Template

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Table of contents

What is a Marketing research proposal?

A marketing research proposal is a document designed to sell your services by showing potential clients the research that you will carry out for their project. Whether you’re a freelance marketing consultant or you have your own marketing agency, a market research proposal will cover what research needs to be done, how you’ll go about it, and why they should choose you for the project.

A proposal is typically one of the first points of contact that you have with an organization. Therefore, it’s a chance to make a strong first impression.

Note: Sign up now to get your free marketing research proposal template that will make yours stand out for all the right reasons.

What to include in the Marketing research proposal

A market research proposal will outline your market research plan and each critical step you need to take to perform the necessary research. It usually consists of three parts.

• Introduction: This includes project objectives and scope, target market, and methodology, including data collection methods.
• Discussion: This covers existing knowledge of the market, case studies or competitor analysis, a project timeline, proposed budget, deliverables, and ethical considerations. ‍
• Summary: This concludes what you expect to achieve from the market research, how it will support the initial objectives, and why your company is the best for the job.

Introduction

At the top of any market research proposal template should be the title of your document followed by who it has been written by and who it’s for. You can also include both company addresses here if you wish.

Proceed to outline the project description and the purpose of performing the market research. What are you trying to achieve? Why is this research needed? Who will be conducting it? What problem are you trying to solve for the client?

You should also include a methodology section in your introduction. The research methodology should dive into what primary and secondary research will be conducted, how data will be collected, and the expected outcomes. As a freelance researcher, you’ll already know this, but it’s worth covering what’s included in each to the client:

• Primary research is research that you carry out yourself in the form of two research methods: qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative research relies on first-hand observation from things like interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups. Quantitative research, on the other hand, relies on the collection and analysis of data from an online survey and polls.
• Secondary research is research that has already been published and comes from secondary sources. This may include academic literature, print publications, and online studies.

It’s important to give an overview of your target audience in your methodology too.

For instance, if your client is trying to determine whether it’s a good time to launch a new product, your methodology in your market research proposal would explain how you plan to arrange a focus group with their target audience of females aged 16-24. Being present in the meeting, asking the right questions, and making notes to refer to later on would confirm whether the prospective product could be useful and — ultimately — successful.

The discussion section of your marketing research proposal is typically the meatiest. It’s where you should demonstrate what you already know about the industry and company, while getting into the finer details of the market research project.

• Existing Industry Knowledge: Prospective clients are likely going to want to hire someone who knows what they’re talking about. Right? Demonstrate that’s you by discussing the market and how it’s being affected in terms of the PEST analysis (politically, economically, socioculturally, and technologically). You can also cover case studies or a competitor analysis of companies that have already undertaken the same research and achieved similar goals.
• Timeline: For the research items that you listed in your methodology, include time frames of when each one will be conducted. You don’t have to be super precise here — it’s more about giving your client a realistic idea of the timings of key project milestones. However, exact details can be tweaked and laid out in a marketing research contract once your proposal and project quote has been approved.
• Proposed Budget: Any market research proposal template has to include a budgeting section. This is where you would break down how much you expect the research to cost, while offsetting it with how the client can make the most out of their investment. Just like with the timeline, the information doesn’t have to be exact at this stage. It’s more a rough estimate to ensure that the project expectations of both parties align.
• Deliverables: This section should answer any questions that a prospective client may have on the general organization of the project. In other words, it should tell them how you plan to present the research and its findings, whether it’s in the form of a one-off report, series of meetings, or collaborative Google Docs. You may choose to hand-deliver a printed copy of your findings or email through a PDF file. Either way, this section is a significant part of a market research proposal as the findings taken from the document need to be actionable by the marketing team.
• Ethical Considerations: This part of the market research proposal should outline any ethical issues that may arise throughout the course of your research, from conflicts of interest to concerns about supplier relationships. It should also cover how you plan to deal with participants, data gathering, and privacy issues before the project has even begun.

For example, you may write something like the following: “Each participant will be told that their input in this research is voluntary. They will be provided with a form to assure them that their data will remain confidential for the purposes of this research and won’t be used by third parties. They must sign this form in person or we can accept digital signatures to consent to these terms.”

The summary tends to be the shortest section of your market research proposal. It’s where you would refer back to the initial project objectives and conclude the desired outcomes from the market research.

It’s a good idea to end on a punchy note by describing why your potential client should become an actual client.

• What can your company offer to this project that no other company can?
• Why are you the perfect person or team to perform the research?
• What makes this proposal unique?

Don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re trying to convince somebody (or some people) of your value. You want them to take action after reading your proposal, which is why you should include a compelling Call-To-Action (CTA). Let them know what the next steps entail, and how to take them.

How to write a Marketing research proposal

The truth is, it’s difficult to draft a market research proposal without some key information from your prospective client.

To gather all of the details you need to create a winning marketing research proposal, follow the below steps.

Find out exactly what the client wants to achieve

During your initial email or phone discussion, ask your client what they want to get out of the research. Are they rebranding and want to redefine their target market? Or are they testing out a new product with a small group of people before unleashing it to the masses?

Either way, it’s useful to know their final goals so that you can start to make a plan on how to help them achieve them.

Discuss the finer details

Alongside your prospective client’s research objectives, you need to find out more details in terms of their:

• Target demographics
• Project deadline
• Project budget

You should also ask them if there’s any other key information that they would like you to include in the market research proposal. This will ensure that you have everything you need upfront without having to make extensive edits later on.

Figure out what sets you apart

Keep in mind that you haven’t been awarded the job yet. A work proposal is essentially a sales document — it almost serves as a resume before the client decides that you’re the ideal person to hire.

As such, do some company research to put you ahead of your competition. Is there a link you can make with the company based on your background and interests? Why should they care about you? What do you offer that no one else does?

Be sure to feature all of this information in your market researching proposal, and don’t be afraid of highlighting your strengths and wins.

Creating a Marketing research proposal is simple with Bonsai

There's plenty to think about when conducting marketing research, which is why you can make life a little simpler with Bonsai. Bonsai's all-in-one tool for small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs streamlines administrative tasks and covers all bases when it comes to proposals, contracts, and invoices.

You can find a template specific to market research and edit it to meet your needs in minutes. Then all you have to do is send it off to your client, which you can do without even leaving the platform. Talk about a time- and energy-saver!

The marketing research proposal template is professional and refined in structure. This provides clarity to your potential client by laying out exactly what you can do for them within their timeline and budget.

Simply enter your information, sit back, and be prepared to wow your prospective client so much that they hire you on the spot.

Note : Sign up for free and get started!

Marketing research proposal FAQs

How long should a marketing research proposal be.

A market research proposal should be concise and fluff-free. It should cover all the obligatory information without dragging it out. After all, prospective clients are busy reviewing other proposals and working on further aspects of their business.

The perfect length is between 1-2 pages, but try to ensure that it’s no more than 3.

What should the tone and writing style of a marketing research proposal be?

Because your market research proposal is only a couple of pages long, the writing style should be clear and easy to read. The language should be simple, everyday, and familiar, using short sentences that get to the point and won’t clutter up the document.

The tone of your plan should be informative and position you as the expert to leave a positive, long-lasting impression on your prospective client.

What is the main purpose of marketing research?

Marketing research aims to investigate and assess how certain factors influence consumer behavior. This provides key insights that are relevant to decision making.

Marketing research can identify new business opportunities and avoid business failures. That said, above all, it can be used to inform a company’s marketing strategy to help them achieve their business goals.

How do you write a marketing research proposal?

What is market research and examples, what is research proposal template.

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Marketing Proposal Examples That Seal the Deal (+Templates)

Learn how to write a marketing proposal to outshine the rest with our guide. Dive into engaging examples and access versatile templates that make an impact.

9 minute read

helped business professionals at:

Short answer

What to include in a marketing proposal?

11 crucial sections of a marketing proposal:

• Introduction and overview
• Market context and challenges
• Target audience segmentation
• Key objectives and goals
• Strategic approach
• Tactical game plan
• Budget and financial planning
• Implementation timeline and milestones
• Performance metrics and KPIs
• Review and optimization strategy
• Conclusion and next steps

If your marketing proposal doesn’t stand out, it’s game over

You've invested hours into understanding your client's world—identifying their challenges, dreaming up solutions, and tailoring your approach. Now, it's time to present your marketing proposal, the moment where all your efforts should pay off.

But here's a challenge: if your proposal doesn't stand out, it will disappear in a pile of documents. Imagine all that hard work not even getting a second glance because your proposal looks and sounds like everyone else's.

Don’t worry, though, I’ve got you covered. I’m going to show you how to write a marketing proposal that makes the client sit up and think, "This is the one."

I’ll also show you successful marketing proposal examples that are usable as templates, so you can get started right away.

Let’s go!

What does a marketing proposal look like?

Traditionally, marketing proposals have taken the form of static, text-heavy decks, often created in PowerPoint (PPT) or saved as PDFs.

While this method has been the standard for years, it's becoming increasingly clear that it doesn't quite cut it anymore. Static proposals don't allow for easy customization or updates, and most critically, they fail to engage the reader.

Interactive proposals are a modern alternative that's changing the game. They can include elements like clickable tabs, embedded videos, or even interactive ROI calculators that clients can adjust to see different service scenarios.

This level of interactivity makes the proposal more engaging and allows for a level of personalization that static documents simply can't match.

Here's the difference between a static PDF and a modern proposal:

Static PDF marketing proposal

This is what eveybody uses. Using this approach will keep you looking like all the rest.

Interactive marketing proposal

This is what leading teams use to stand out, demostrate value, and eat their competitors' lunch.

Marketing proposal examples that win over clients

A proposal is more than just a pitch—it's your chance to tell a story that resonates and paint a picture of the future that your client can't wait to step into.

The best marketing proposals do more than suggest solutions—they build trust and excitement for what's possible.

In this section, we’ll look at examples of marketing proposals that manage to do exactly this, raising the standard for what it means to truly engage and captivate your clients.

Marketing consulting proposal

This marketing proposal is a great example of how blending in-depth analysis with targeted, innovative solutions can create a compelling narrative that not only meets client expectations but sets the stage for unprecedented success.

What makes this marketing proposal great:

Focus on efficiency and growth: It addresses critical pain points like process inefficiencies and scalability, offering solutions that promise improvement and transformation.

Customized strategy: The proposal shines in its ability to tailor solutions, demonstrating a deep understanding of the business landscape and client needs.

Clear implementation roadmap: With a step-by-step plan, from analysis to delivery, it reassures clients with clarity and precision, promising a partnership that leads to tangible results.

Digital marketing proposal for e-commerce website

This digital marketing proposal shows how a data-driven approach can address the specific needs of an e-commerce website, offering a clear strategy for growth and a stronger digital presence.

Targeted strategy for e-commerce: It goes beyond generic solutions, offering strategies specifically designed for the e-commerce context, focusing on increasing online conversion rates, social media engagement, and brand awareness.

Measurable approach: The proposal outlines clear objectives, such as boosting online conversion rates by 15% and expanding brand awareness to reach 3,000 unique users monthly, with a robust system for tracking results.

Detailed roadmap with timelines: It provides a month-by-month breakdown of activities, from discovery and planning to implementation and optimization, ensuring a clear path forward and setting expectations for both parties.

Digital marketing project proposal

This proposal presents a nuanced approach to digital marketing, focusing on enhancing online visibility, improving engagement and conversion rates, and carving out a competitive position in the market.

Efficient navigation: The proposal smartly includes an average reading time on the cover, setting expectations and respecting the reader's time from the outset.

Clear data visualization: It incorporates data visualization components, making complex information easy to digest and engaging, which helps in quickly grasping the proposed strategies and expected outcomes.

Expandable text sections: For those looking for deeper insights, expandable text sections allow for a deeper dive without overwhelming the main view, ensuring the proposal remains sleek and focused.

Digital marketing lead generation proposal

This proposal outlines a targeted strategy for boosting lead generation within the digital landscape, focusing on optimizing the customer journey from initial engagement to final conversion.

Client snapshot slide: A dedicated slide provides a snapshot of the client's current challenges and targets, offering a concise overview that sets the stage for the proposed solutions.

The option to personalize at scale: The proposal uses dynamic variables, allowing for personalization at scale. This approach ensures that the proposal feels tailored to each recipient, enhancing its relevance and impact.

Segmented success stories: Success stories are organized in tabs, which allows clients to explore relevant examples of past successes without overwhelming them with information.

Digital marketing company proposal

This digital marketing company proposal is crafted to showcase a strategic partnership approach.

It outlines a clear, actionable strategy aimed at overcoming common digital marketing challenges, such as improving online visibility, increasing engagement and conversion rates, and establishing a competitive edge in the market.

Strategic use of grayed-out content: The proposal uses grayed-out content to strategically direct attention to key areas, ensuring that the reader's focus is drawn to the most important information without distractions.

Narrator slide for timeline: A narrator slide provides a clear, visual representation of the project's phases. This approach makes it easy for clients to understand the project's flow and key milestones.

Clear pricing summary slide: It features a transparent pricing summary slide, providing clients with a clear understanding of the investment required and the value it brings, facilitating decision-making.

Digital marketing agency proposal

This proposal is designed to meet the digital marketing needs of businesses in a way that is engaging, brand-consistent, and informed by real-time data, setting the stage for a successful partnership.

Branding extraction: It features an option to extract branding elements from the client's website, ensuring the proposal is a seamless extension of the client's digital identity.

Calendar embedding: The deck simplifies the scheduling process by embedding a calendar within the proposal, making it easier for clients to book meetings.

Analytics panel access: It comes with access to an analytics dashboard, offering insights into how the proposal is being interacted with, which allows for real-time adjustments and a deeper understanding of audience engagement.

Social media marketing proposal

In this social media marketing proposal, innovative features take center stage, transforming a standard pitch into an interactive journey. It's about showcasing your social media marketing agency’s capabilities in a way that's as dynamic as the social media landscape itself.

Logo customization features: This proposal introduces logo customization tools, including placeholders and a feature to extract logos directly from websites. This ensures seamless branding integration throughout the document.

Intuitive design: Every added element, from images to text blocks, automatically adjusts to fit the proposal's layout. This means you don't have to worry about disrupting the overall aesthetic.

Multimedia embedding capabilities: The option to embed external videos or links directly into the proposal enhances its interactivity.

Simple marketing proposal

This marketing proposal demonstrates a deep understanding of marketing strategy and showcases a commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced client engagement and measurable results.

Media integration: The proposal comes with multiple image and video placeholders, allowing for a rich, multimedia presentation that can be customized to reflect the client's brand and message effectively.

Interactive ROI calculator: The option to add an interactive ROI calculator enables potential clients to visualize the tangible benefits of the proposed strategies, making the value proposition clear and compelling.

Direct Call-to-Action: The option to include an accept button directly within the proposal facilitates a seamless transition from proposal review to project initiation.

Professional marketing proposal

This marketing proposal combines a deep understanding of the digital marketing landscape with innovative solutions to propel businesses forward, focusing on increasing online visibility, engagement, and competitive positioning.

Scroll-based design: The proposal uses a scroll-based design, allowing for a seamless reading experience. This modern approach facilitates engagement by guiding the reader through the proposal in a natural, intuitive manner.

Easy personalization: Tailoring the proposal for each prospect is straightforward, thanks to easy personalization features.

Smart control measures: The proposal includes options for smart control measures like expiry dates or password protection. These features secure the proposal and create a sense of urgency, encouraging prompt responses.

Strategic marketing proposal

This marketing proposal outlines a detailed plan for enhancing online presence, driving engagement, and securing a competitive edge, all while leveraging the latest in digital marketing strategies and technologies.

AI-assisted content creation: An AI assistant is integrated to help with text and image creation. This ensures that the proposal resonates with the target audience by generating relevant and engaging content.

Inclusion of real-time data: The proposal stands out by offering the option to include real-time data, providing potential clients with up-to-date information and insights.

Editable after sending: The ability to edit the deck after it has been sent, without the need to resend it, ensures that the proposal remains current and aligned with evolving client needs or feedback.

Modern marketing proposal

This modern marketing proposal is designed to serve as a dynamic tool for businesses seeking to elevate their marketing efforts.

It combines a strategic approach with cutting-edge features, aiming to present a comprehensive marketing strategy and engage potential clients through an interactive and visually appealing format.

Data visualization components: The proposal incorporates advanced data visualization tools. This approach helps to clearly communicate the strategy's potential impact and expected outcomes.

Expandable text sections: An expandable text section for terms and conditions ensures that the proposal remains concise without sacrificing the detail necessary for legal clarity.

Option to add an accept button: Including an accept button directly within the proposal makes it easier for clients to commit and signifies a forward-thinking approach to closing deals efficiently.

Dark digital marketing proposal

This marketing proposal is designed with the end user in mind, ensuring that every element, from content organization to design responsiveness, aligns with the modern expectations of businesses looking to thrive online.

Intuitive editor: The editor is both intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for the creators to customize and refine the content without needing specialized design skills.

Responsive design: With a responsive design, the proposal guarantees an optimal viewing experience across all devices.

Content segmented in tabs: You can organize content into tabs, which helps in presenting a large amount of information in a structured manner and enables readers to quickly find the sections most relevant to them without feeling overwhelmed.

Vibrant marketing proposal

This marketing proposal is a visually engaging document designed to outline a dynamic digital marketing strategy.

It's structured to present a compelling narrative of services and successes, reflecting the creativity and effectiveness potential clients can expect from their services.

Running numbers to highlight achievements: The proposal cleverly uses running numbers to showcase the agency's biggest achievements, providing a quick, impactful glance at success metrics that immediately convey value and capability.

The option to embed external media: Incorporating the option to embed and play videos directly within the proposal elevates the presentation, allowing for a richer storytelling experience.

Multiple smart CTAs: The inclusion of various smart call-to-action (CTA) buttons facilitates the next steps in the decision-making process.

Marketing partnership proposal

This marketing proposal is designed with the dual aim of showcasing the agency's innovative approach to marketing while also providing potential partners with a clear, customizable pathway to achieving their goals.

Pricing packages slide: The proposal includes a detailed slide dedicated to pricing packages. This transparency allows potential partners to easily understand the investment required and the value provided at each level of engagement.

Option to embed clickable links: By embedding links to case studies, you can add real-world examples of success to provide potential partners with a deeper understanding of the agency's capabilities and achievements.

CRM integration: A standout feature of this proposal is its ability to integrate with your CRM and pull client data to personalize content at scale.

How to write a marketing proposal that gets clients to act

Crafting a marketing proposal that truly resonates with your potential clients is about presenting a vision that aligns with your client's goals and challenges, offering them a clear path to success.

To navigate this process, we've distilled it into 9 essential steps, each designed to build upon the last, ensuring your proposal hits all the right notes from start to finish.

Research your clients: Dive deep to understand who they are and what makes their business tick.

Identify client needs: Pinpoint exactly what your client is looking for based on direct conversations and your research.

Set clear objectives: Define what success looks like with achievable, impactful goals.

Design your strategy & tactics: Map out how you plan to meet these objectives with a comprehensive strategy and detailed tactics.

Outline expected outcomes & KPIs: Be clear about what results you're aiming for and how you'll measure success.

Establish a timeline: Provide a realistic timeline that outlines when each key milestone will be achieved.

Detail costs & terms: Lay out your pricing and the terms of your service in a transparent way.

Craft the marketing proposal: Bring everything together into a compelling narrative that sells your vision.

Leverage an interactive marketing proposal template: Use an interactive proposal creator to turn your deck into an engaging experience that drives results.

For a deeper dive into each of these steps, check out our detailed guide on how to create a marketing proposal .

How to design a marketing proposal

With the right design elements, your proposal can stand out in a crowded field, making a compelling case for why your services are the best fit for the client's needs. Here are some expert tips on how to achieve that.

1) Use scroll-based design

Scroll-based design leverages the natural action of scrolling to engage readers and guide them through your proposal in a narrative fashion.

This approach allows for storytelling, where each scroll reveals a new piece of information or a different aspect of your proposal.

To implement this effectively, structure your content in sections that logically flow from one to the next, using visuals and headings to break up text and maintain interest.

Here's an example of scroll-based design:

2) Ensure responsive design

In today's mobile-first world, your digital marketing proposal must look great and function flawlessly across all devices.

Responsive design automatically adjusts the layout and content to fit the screen size on which it's being viewed, ensuring a seamless experience for the reader.

Here's an example of a mobile-responsive deck:

3) Personalize the proposal

Personalization can significantly increase the relevance and impact of your proposal. By integrating with your CRM and utilizing dynamic variables, you can tailor each proposal to the specific client the same way you would an email newsletter .

Mention the client's name, reference past interactions, and highlight solutions tailored to their unique challenges and goals.

This approach shows that you're not just offering a one-size-fits-all solution but a bespoke strategy designed to meet their specific needs.

Here's how you can easily personalize your proposal with Storydoc:

4) Maintain consistent branding

Your proposal should be an extension of your brand, featuring consistent use of your logos, color scheme, and typography.

Use a proposal creator that can extract branding elements and logos from a website URL. This can help ensure that your proposal aligns with your online presence, reinforcing brand recognition and trust.

You can also treat it as an extension of personalization, using your client’s logo, colors, and fonts.

This level of personalization shows that you view the relationship as a true collaboration, potentially increasing their engagement and investment in the proposal.

Here's an example of a branded deck:

5) Add interactive elements

Interactive elements such as ROI calculators, embedded videos, clickable links, and expandable pricing tables engage the reader and provide a dynamic reading experience.

These features not only make your digital marketing proposal more engaging but also help convey complex information in an accessible and user-friendly manner.

For example, an interactive ROI calculator allows clients to input their own data and see potential returns, making the benefits of your service tangible.

Here's what an interactive deck looks like:

6) Include a clear pricing slide

Daniel Pink once said, "To sell well is to convince someone else to part with resources -- not to deprive that person, but to leave him better off in the end." This idea is at the heart of creating a marketing proposal that truly resonates.

Include a clear pricing slide that breaks down your costs, what's included in each package, and importantly, what isn't.

It's also important to articulate the value you bring to the table. Don't assume clients will automatically understand the amount of effort, creativity, and strategy that goes into their campaign.

Take the time to explain the process, the rationale behind your strategies, and how each element of your proposal is designed to achieve their goals.

Here's a great video explaining how to price your marketing services:

7) Design for conversion

Ultimately, your proposal should drive action. Including a clear and prominent ‘Accept’ button reduces friction and can significantly shorten the deal-closing time.

This call-to-action should be positioned in a strategic location within the proposal, ideally after you've presented your value proposition and just before the conclusion.

Make it as easy as possible for the client to say "yes" by streamlining the acceptance process.

Here's an example of a deck with an 'Accept' button:

Interactive marketing proposal templates

Crafting a marketing proposal from the ground up can be an overwhelming challenge, especially when the success of your pitch hinges on this one document. It's a task that requires marketing savvy, but also a flair for design.

Marketing proposal templates come pre-designed with interactive elements, such as clickable links, dynamic pricing tables, and an ‘Accept’ button, allowing you to focus on tailoring the content to your client's specific needs and objectives.

This streamlines the proposal creation process and ensures a high level of professionalism that might be hard to achieve when starting from a blank page.

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

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What (Exactly) Is A Research Proposal?

A simple explainer with examples + free template.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020 (Updated April 2023)

Whether you’re nearing the end of your degree and your dissertation is on the horizon, or you’re planning to apply for a PhD program, chances are you’ll need to craft a convincing research proposal . If you’re on this page, you’re probably unsure exactly what the research proposal is all about. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

Overview: Research Proposal Basics

• What a research proposal is
• What a research proposal needs to cover
• How to structure your research proposal
• Example /sample proposals
• Proposal writing FAQs
• Key takeaways & additional resources

What is a research proposal?

Simply put, a research proposal is a structured, formal document that explains what you plan to research (your research topic), why it’s worth researching (your justification), and how  you plan to investigate it (your methodology). 

The purpose of the research proposal (its job, so to speak) is to convince  your research supervisor, committee or university that your research is  suitable  (for the requirements of the degree program) and  manageable  (given the time and resource constraints you will face). 

The most important word here is “ convince ” – in other words, your research proposal needs to  sell  your research idea (to whoever is going to approve it). If it doesn’t convince them (of its suitability and manageability), you’ll need to revise and resubmit . This will cost you valuable time, which will either delay the start of your research or eat into its time allowance (which is bad news). 

What goes into a research proposal?

A good dissertation or thesis proposal needs to cover the “ what “, “ why ” and” how ” of the proposed study. Let’s look at each of these attributes in a little more detail:

Your proposal needs to clearly articulate your research topic . This needs to be specific and unambiguous . Your research topic should make it clear exactly what you plan to research and in what context. Here’s an example of a well-articulated research topic:

An investigation into the factors which impact female Generation Y consumer’s likelihood to promote a specific makeup brand to their peers: a British context

As you can see, this topic is extremely clear. From this one line we can see exactly:

• What’s being investigated – factors that make people promote or advocate for a brand of a specific makeup brand
• Who it involves – female Gen-Y consumers
• In what context – the United Kingdom

So, make sure that your research proposal provides a detailed explanation of your research topic . If possible, also briefly outline your research aims and objectives , and perhaps even your research questions (although in some cases you’ll only develop these at a later stage). Needless to say, don’t start writing your proposal until you have a clear topic in mind , or you’ll end up waffling and your research proposal will suffer as a result of this.

Need a helping hand?

As we touched on earlier, it’s not good enough to simply propose a research topic – you need to justify why your topic is original . In other words, what makes it  unique ? What gap in the current literature does it fill? If it’s simply a rehash of the existing research, it’s probably not going to get approval – it needs to be fresh.

But,  originality  alone is not enough. Once you’ve ticked that box, you also need to justify why your proposed topic is  important . In other words, what value will it add to the world if you achieve your research aims?

As an example, let’s look at the sample research topic we mentioned earlier (factors impacting brand advocacy). In this case, if the research could uncover relevant factors, these findings would be very useful to marketers in the cosmetics industry, and would, therefore, have commercial value . That is a clear justification for the research.

So, when you’re crafting your research proposal, remember that it’s not enough for a topic to simply be unique. It needs to be useful and value-creating – and you need to convey that value in your proposal. If you’re struggling to find a research topic that makes the cut, watch  our video covering how to find a research topic .

It’s all good and well to have a great topic that’s original and valuable, but you’re not going to convince anyone to approve it without discussing the practicalities – in other words:

• How will you actually undertake your research (i.e., your methodology)?
• Is your research methodology appropriate given your research aims?
• Is your approach manageable given your constraints (time, money, etc.)?

While it’s generally not expected that you’ll have a fully fleshed-out methodology at the proposal stage, you’ll likely still need to provide a high-level overview of your research methodology . Here are some important questions you’ll need to address in your research proposal:

• Will you take a qualitative , quantitative or mixed -method approach?
• What sampling strategy will you adopt?
• How will you collect your data (e.g., interviews, surveys, etc)?
• How will you analyse your data (e.g., descriptive and inferential statistics , content analysis, discourse analysis, etc, .)?
• What potential limitations will your methodology carry?

So, be sure to give some thought to the practicalities of your research and have at least a basic methodological plan before you start writing up your proposal. If this all sounds rather intimidating, the video below provides a good introduction to research methodology and the key choices you’ll need to make.

How To Structure A Research Proposal

Now that we’ve covered the key points that need to be addressed in a proposal, you may be wondering, “ But how is a research proposal structured? “.

While the exact structure and format required for a research proposal differs from university to university, there are four “essential ingredients” that commonly make up the structure of a research proposal:

• A rich introduction and background to the proposed research
• An initial literature review covering the existing research
• An overview of the proposed research methodology
• A discussion regarding the practicalities (project plans, timelines, etc.)

In the video below, we unpack each of these four sections, step by step.

Research Proposal Examples/Samples

In the video below, we provide a detailed walkthrough of two successful research proposals (Master’s and PhD-level), as well as our popular free proposal template.

Proposal Writing FAQs

How long should a research proposal be.

This varies tremendously, depending on the university, the field of study (e.g., social sciences vs natural sciences), and the level of the degree (e.g. undergraduate, Masters or PhD) – so it’s always best to check with your university what their specific requirements are before you start planning your proposal.

As a rough guide, a formal research proposal at Masters-level often ranges between 2000-3000 words, while a PhD-level proposal can be far more detailed, ranging from 5000-8000 words. In some cases, a rough outline of the topic is all that’s needed, while in other cases, universities expect a very detailed proposal that essentially forms the first three chapters of the dissertation or thesis.

The takeaway – be sure to check with your institution before you start writing.

How do I choose a topic for my research proposal?

Finding a good research topic is a process that involves multiple steps. We cover the topic ideation process in this video post.

How do I write a literature review for my proposal?

While you typically won’t need a comprehensive literature review at the proposal stage, you still need to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the key literature and are able to synthesise it. We explain the literature review process here.

How do I create a timeline and budget for my proposal?

We explain how to craft a project plan/timeline and budget in Research Proposal Bootcamp .

Which referencing format should I use in my research proposal?

The expectations and requirements regarding formatting and referencing vary from institution to institution. Therefore, you’ll need to check this information with your university.

What common proposal writing mistakes do I need to look out for?

We’ve create a video post about some of the most common mistakes students make when writing a proposal – you can access that here . If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary:

• The research topic is too broad (or just poorly articulated).
• The research aims, objectives and questions don’t align.
• The research topic is not well justified.
• The study has a weak theoretical foundation.
• The research design is not well articulated well enough.
• Poor writing and sloppy presentation.
• Poor project planning and risk management.
• Not following the university’s specific criteria.

Key Takeaways & Additional Resources

As you write up your research proposal, remember the all-important core purpose:  to convince . Your research proposal needs to sell your study in terms of suitability and viability. So, focus on crafting a convincing narrative to ensure a strong proposal.

At the same time, pay close attention to your university’s requirements. While we’ve covered the essentials here, every institution has its own set of expectations and it’s essential that you follow these to maximise your chances of approval.

By the way, we’ve got plenty more resources to help you fast-track your research proposal. Here are some of our most popular resources to get you started:

• Proposal Writing 101 : A Introductory Webinar
• Research Proposal Bootcamp : The Ultimate Online Course
• Template : A basic template to help you craft your proposal

If you’re looking for 1-on-1 support with your research proposal, be sure to check out our private coaching service , where we hold your hand through the proposal development process (and the entire research journey), step by step.

Psst… there’s more!

This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Research Proposal Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .

You Might Also Like:

51 Comments

I truly enjoyed this video, as it was eye-opening to what I have to do in the preparation of preparing a Research proposal.

I would be interested in getting some coaching.

I real appreciate on your elaboration on how to develop research proposal,the video explains each steps clearly.

Thank you for the video. It really assisted me and my niece. I am a PhD candidate and she is an undergraduate student. It is at times, very difficult to guide a family member but with this video, my job is done.

In view of the above, I welcome more coaching.

Wonderful guidelines, thanks

This is very helpful. Would love to continue even as I prepare for starting my masters next year.

Thanks for the work done, the text was helpful to me

Bundle of thanks to you for the research proposal guide it was really good and useful if it is possible please send me the sample of research proposal

You’re most welcome. We don’t have any research proposals that we can share (the students own the intellectual property), but you might find our research proposal template useful: https://gradcoach.com/research-proposal-template/

Cheruiyot Moses Kipyegon

Thanks alot. It was an eye opener that came timely enough before my imminent proposal defense. Thanks, again

thank you very much your lesson is very interested may God be with you

I am an undergraduate student (First Degree) preparing to write my project,this video and explanation had shed more light to me thanks for your efforts keep it up.

Very useful. I am grateful.

this is a very a good guidance on research proposal, for sure i have learnt something

Wonderful guidelines for writing a research proposal, I am a student of m.phil( education), this guideline is suitable for me. Thanks

You’re welcome 🙂

Thank you, this was so helpful.

A really great and insightful video. It opened my eyes as to how to write a research paper. I would like to receive more guidance for writing my research paper from your esteemed faculty.

Thank you, great insights

Thank you, great insights, thank you so much, feeling edified

Wow thank you, great insights, thanks a lot

Thank you. This is a great insight. I am a student preparing for a PhD program. I am requested to write my Research Proposal as part of what I am required to submit before my unconditional admission. I am grateful having listened to this video which will go a long way in helping me to actually choose a topic of interest and not just any topic as well as to narrow down the topic and be specific about it. I indeed need more of this especially as am trying to choose a topic suitable for a DBA am about embarking on. Thank you once more. The video is indeed helpful.

Have learnt a lot just at the right time. Thank you so much.

thank you very much ,because have learn a lot things concerning research proposal and be blessed u for your time that you providing to help us

Hi. For my MSc medical education research, please evaluate this topic for me: Training Needs Assessment of Faculty in Medical Training Institutions in Kericho and Bomet Counties

I have really learnt a lot based on research proposal and it’s formulation

Thank you. I learn much from the proposal since it is applied

Your effort is much appreciated – you have good articulation.

You have good articulation.

I do applaud your simplified method of explaining the subject matter, which indeed has broaden my understanding of the subject matter. Definitely this would enable me writing a sellable research proposal.

This really helping

Great! I liked your tutoring on how to find a research topic and how to write a research proposal. Precise and concise. Thank you very much. Will certainly share this with my students. Research made simple indeed.

Thank you very much. I an now assist my students effectively.

Thank you very much. I can now assist my students effectively.

I need any research proposal

Thank you for these videos. I will need chapter by chapter assistance in writing my MSc dissertation

Very helpfull

the videos are very good and straight forward

thanks so much for this wonderful presentations, i really enjoyed it to the fullest wish to learn more from you

Thank you very much. I learned a lot from your lecture.

I really enjoy the in-depth knowledge on research proposal you have given. me. You have indeed broaden my understanding and skills. Thank you

interesting session this has equipped me with knowledge as i head for exams in an hour’s time, am sure i get A++

This article was most informative and easy to understand. I now have a good idea of how to write my research proposal.

Thank you very much.

Wow, this literature is very resourceful and interesting to read. I enjoyed it and I intend reading it every now then.

Thank you for the clarity

Thank you. Very helpful.

Thank you very much for this essential piece. I need 1o1 coaching, unfortunately, your service is not available in my country. Anyways, a very important eye-opener. I really enjoyed it. A thumb up to Gradcoach

What is JAM? Please explain.

Thank you so much for these videos. They are extremely helpful! God bless!

very very wonderful…

thank you for the video but i need a written example

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Blog Business 5 Marketing Proposal Examples to Elevate your Business

5 Marketing Proposal Examples to Elevate your Business

Written by: Tobi Ojenike Aug 10, 2023

Marketing proposals have become an essential tool for success in today’s competitive business environment. As a business, there are various marketing proposal examples that you can look at, learn from and use to build yours.

Creating persuasive marketing proposals goes beyond a sales pitch. They show you understand the client’s goals and can deliver results.

But writing them can be tricky! You need to stand out, be relevant and stay professional. Trust me, I’ve been there – and my secret weapon? Venngage’s marketing proposal templates ! They take the guesswork out of the process, so you can focus on crafting a proposal that screams “we’re the perfect team for you!”

Click to jump ahead:

• A well thought out, well-designed marketing proposal should be

5 Marketing proposal examples

What should a marketing proposal include, what are the common mistakes to avoid in a marketing proposal, marketing proposal examples faqs, how to create a marketing proposal with venngage in 6 steps, a well thought out, well-designed marketing proposal should be:.

A carefully considered and well-designed project proposal explains your strategy, solutions and how they meet the client’s goals (basically, everything you need to win them over). A winning marketing proposal should be: 

• Comprehensive
• Data driven
• Clear and concise

Now that you have an understanding of what a marketing proposal is and what it should have, let us dive into the different examples of marketing proposals.

Want to write winning marketing proposals? See how it’s done in the examples below that are packed with creative tactics to land your next client.

1. Digital marketing proposal example

A digital marketing proposal is a strategic, in-depth document that lays out a thorough strategy to improve an organization’s online presence, engage its intended target market and spur commercial growth. 

Using methods such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media management, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, email campaigns and website user experience improvements, this kind of proposal serves as a  marketing road map  to demonstrate the marketer’s skills. It emphasizes quantifiable goals, financial allotment, a schedule and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of the suggested digital marketing campaign. 

For example, this proposal attempts to capture potential clients and forge fruitful collaborations by putting a strong emphasis on customized solutions. This marketing proposal example is great for small businesses.

Planning an offline marketing event instead? These event proposal templates might come in handy.

2. Social media campaign proposal example

A social media campaign proposal is a compelling document that is skillfully written and lays out a thorough strategy for utilizing social media platforms to accomplish particular marketing goals. 

A social media campaign proposal often includes strategies, content suggestions and advertising techniques. The proposal demonstrates the marketer’s talent for creating effective social media campaigns with an emphasis on raising brand awareness, increasing website traffic and encouraging meaningful interactions. 

This proposal intends to attract potential clients and win their support with data-driven insights and quantifiable KPIs. Here are some examples of a social media campaign proposal that you could use:

Pitching for your next brand management client? Craft winning proposals with our brand management proposal templates . They easily showcase your understanding, strategies and the impact you’ll deliver.

3. Website design proposal example

A website design proposal is a carefully produced document that outlines a detailed strategy for developing or redesigning a website in line with the client’s brand identity and corporate goals. 

This proposal demonstrates the web designer’s proficiency in technical implementation, visual design and user experience (UX) to produce a smooth and visually appealing online platform. It provides details on the project’s scope, schedule, deliverables and budget as well as insights into the design process and overall strategy.

Take a look at our carefully curated template as a creative compass:

A strong graphic design proposal highlights the value the designer brings to the client’s business while showcasing the designer’s expertise and creativity. You can also consider showcasing a portfolio of relevant past work and testimonials to build trust and confidence. Envision the stunning graphics you can create by taking a cue from this template:

5. Influencer marketing proposal example

An influencer marketing proposal is a document created by marketing agencies to pitch collaboration opportunities to brands or businesses. This proposal outlines the campaign’s goals, target market, proposed influencers, content suggestions and anticipated results.

The proposal aims to demonstrate the influencer’s suitability for promoting the brand’s products or services and outlines the terms of the partnership, such as compensation, timeline and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the campaign’s success. 

The goal of the influencer marketing proposal is to persuade potential customers of the efficiency of influencer collaborations in increasing brand visibility and fostering engagement with their target audience. 

With the help of our hand-picked collection of engaging influencer design proposal examples, you are off to a great start.

Ready to tackle more projects? Dive into our project proposal template library ! Find pre-built templates to jumpstart your next winning proposal.

Here’s a general outline of what a marketing proposal should include:

This is a brief of the main aspects of the plan. It highlights the information contained in the proposal and gives a quick look into some of the strategies, the complexities of the schedule, and the objectives that will indicate the project’s advancement. This summary provides your clients an understanding of what to expect from you and your team.

2. Objectives

The aims and objectives of the marketing campaign or project should be stated in clear terms. To show that you are aware of the client’s demands, align these goals with their company objectives. You should also understand that not clearly stating the objectives could lead to confusion and easily make tracking the progress of the project quite difficult.

3. Intended outcomes

Every effective marketing proposition is built around the idea of “intended outcomes.” These results are more than just objectives; they stand for the transformational changes that your client’s business will experience as a result of your proposed plans and activities. In this important section of the proposal, you should delve into the anticipated future and the advantages of your partnership for the development and success of your brand.

4. Define the target audience

Analyze the target audience of your intended clients to demonstrate your knowledge of this demographic. To show the applicability of your marketing strategy, include details on their demographics, behavior and preferences.

5. Market research

Here, you gather knowledge of consumer behavior, tastes, market trends, and the market environment. These findings are then used to generate marketing strategies and plans. Marketing research provides the data and insights needed to make informed decisions within your  marketing plan .

6. Approach

Describe a well-planned marketing strategy that combines online and offline approaches. Describe the thinking behind each tactic and how they complement one another to produce the intended outcomes.

7. Measurement and KPIs

Outline the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to gauge the marketing campaign’s effectiveness. Display your plan for collecting data, analyzing it and using it to inform decisions.

8. Timeline and proposed budget

Give a thorough breakdown of the marketing campaign’s necessary budget as well as the estimated timetable for its completion. Building client trust through transparency in costs and delivery dates is beneficial.

9. Project team

This provides information on the qualifications and relevant experience of the marketing team or agency. It also highlights their strengths and weaknesses, previous achievements, their position in the company and the part they will play in the execution of the intended project.

10. Case studies and testimonials

Include pertinent references, case studies or illustrations of prior successful projects to highlight your experience and track record.

11. Terms and conditions

Invite the client to take the following steps, such as setting up a meeting or signing the agreement, by concluding the proposal with a clear call to action. Specify any terms, conditions or contractual arrangements related to the partnership.

An effective marketing proposal involves thorough planning and attention to detail. Here are some common mistakes to avoid in order to make sure your proposal stands out and stays clear of potential pitfalls:

Lack of individualization:  Using a generic or templated proposal without adjusting it to the client’s unique needs and objectives can come across as careless and disconnected. Personalize your proposal to show that you are aware of the client’s problems and how your proposed solutions will solve them.

Uncertainty in objectives:  Failure to establish precise, quantifiable objectives may cause uncertainty and a lack of concentration. Make sure your proposal contains clear objectives that the client can comprehend and assess.

Heavy focus on characteristics:  If you place too much attention on the characteristics of your services rather than the advantages and results for the client, your proposal may not be as appealing. Clients are interested in how your methods will address their issues and produce outcomes.

Ignoring the target audience : If you don’t clearly define how your tactics will appeal to the client’s target audience, your proposal’s relevance and impact will suffer.

Insufficient research:  Making recommendations without completing in-depth market research and data analysis can make your proposal seem unreliable. Based on sound research and insights, develop your strategies.

Uncertain time frame : Clients may be unsure of the project’s duration and scope if there isn’t a clear timeframe for the intended activities. The timetable and milestones should be clearly stated.

Neglecting proofreading:  is important since submitting a proposal that contains grammatical, typographical, or formatting issues tarnishes your professionalism and credibility. Always double-check your writing before submitting.

Can I use marketing proposal examples as-is for my own business?

While you can use marketing proposal examples as a reference and source of inspiration, it is essential to customize them to suit your specific business needs, goals, and target audience. A one-size-fits-all approach may not effectively address your unique requirements, so tailoring the proposal will ensure it aligns with your company’s objectives and maximizes its potential for success.

How long should a marketing proposal be?

The complexity of the project and the client’s particular requirements can affect the length of a marketing proposal. However, it’s typically advised to keep the proposal brief and concentrated. Without including any additional attachments or supporting documents, aim for a length of 5–10 pages.

How do I make my marketing proposal stand out?

Consider customizing your marketing proposal to the client’s particular requirements and objectives, and make it abundantly obvious how your marketing methods will alleviate the client’s problems and produce results. Use a  marketing proposal template  with charts, graphs and infographics to add visual appeal to the proposal and to demonstrate the knowledge and experience of your team in the field. Finally, present your proposal in a polished and visually appealing manner. Include case studies or testimonials from prior successful marketing efforts.

How do I format my marketing proposal?

Your marketing proposal should be presented in a polished, well-organized and visually appealing manner. To organize the material, think about utilizing headings and subheadings. Also, make sure to utilize a unified font and color design. Include visual components in the proposal, such as pictures, graphs and graphics to make it more interesting. 

Are marketing plans and marketing proposals the same?

In the context of marketing strategy, a marketing plan and a marketing proposal serve different functions. A marketing plan is a thorough internal strategy document that defines a company’s overall marketing strategy over a long period of time. A marketing proposal, on the other hand, is a client-focused document that gives a detailed plan and strategy for a specific project or campaign in order to secure a client’s business. As a business, you can  create a marketing plan  with strategies that will be covered more in depth in the business proposals that you make.

• Sign up or  log in to Venngage  to register and platform’s features and templates.
• Click on “Create a Design” and select “Proposal” as the design type. 
• Browse through the available proposal templates or use the search bar to find one that suits your needs.
• Replace placeholder text with your own content, such as company information, client details, and project objectives.
• Customize the color scheme, fonts, and images to match your brand’s identity and preferences.
• Enhance your proposal with visual elements such as images, icons, charts, graphs, and illustrations.
• Carefully review your marketing proposal for accuracy, clarity, and completeness.
• Once satisfied, download your proposal as a PDF, image file, or share it directly with your client using Venngage’s sharing options.

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