As a corporate event professional, you have to take plenty of prospecting and lead-generation steps to find new brand and company clients. And there’s a lot of advice out there about generating leads, prospecting for new clients, and marketing engagement.
But there’s another step NOT to be overlooked.
Once you’ve had a conversation with your prospective event client, it’s time to put together your official event proposal and close the deal. Cutting corners at this phase of the sales process is a huge mistake. Now’s your chance to wow the client prospect with your last touchpoint. And this is how you build a winning corporate event client proposal that seals the deal every time.
Proposal First Impressions Matter
When you hand over your event client proposal, it needs to feel and look good in their hands. First impressions are important. Think vibrant colors, easy-to-read fonts, and brilliant images.
Tie In Your Storytelling
Tie your proposal message back to the storytelling you used during your previous client conversations. Your unique story sells them on you, and they need reminding when they review your official event proposal.
Lead with the Corporate Event Goals
Recap the event goals in a way that demonstrates to your client that you were actively listening to them. It’s your way of capturing that you’re on the same page within your proposal. And it gets your client agreeing on other aspects of working together without officially saying yes yet.
Balance Must-Have Info with Attractive Designs
Don’t overwhelm your proposal with visuals that take away from the key elements of your event planning offer and terms. Find a way to balance the must-have info along with the attractive designs that make your proposal stand out from others in contention.
Transparency in the Terms
Don’t get too wordy or jargon-y with your proposal. Keep terms, explanations, and expectations simple. Describe the important elements of your event plan with transparency and confidence.
Your Unique Differentiators
Your event client proposal should capture your unique differentiators as an event planner. Don’t let your proposal get mixed up or confused with others. Separate yourself from the pack with big highlights about what makes you the best planner for the job.
Communicating Your Aligned Values
Try to align yourself with your client prospect by identifying shared values. Use your proposal to also showcase what you both agree upon, including event goals and outcomes. Become the ally and true partner they’re looking for in a planner.
Outline Steps and Corporate Event Logistics
Don’t forget to include a series of steps and phases you plan to follow with event planning. Demonstrate your logistics itinerary to show you’ve accounted for every detail in handling the corporate event planning process.
Testimonials and References
Share corporate event testimonials and references to back up your claims of being the best. Encourage your client prospects to follow up with them. And sharing these quotes and past “similar events” will only reinforce your experience.
Sell Yourself As Much As the Event
Event planning is just as much a personality partnership as it is a service. Your proposal should work just as hard at selling you as it does your event plan. They won’t work with you if they don’t connect and vibe with you.
FAQs About Event Client Proposals
Explore additional event client proposal FAQs for more insights.
What are the three steps of an event proposal?
You’ll want to include all kinds of dazzling impressions and relevant information in your proposal. But be sure to also include the event goals, the event budget, and the event brand.
What are the six steps to writing a winning event proposal?
Break down your proposal into segments that include the following:
- An executive summary
- The agreed-upon event goals
- Your solutions and plan
- Expectations and deliverables
- What you’ll need from the client to execute
- How you’ll define post-event success
What separates a good proposal from a great one?
A great event client proposal will identify the pain points, outline impressive plans and solutions, and bring just as much wow factor as you’re selling your event to be. A great proposal evokes an emotional response and leads to a no-brainer decision in your favor.
Conclusion
Start landing more corporate event clients by implementing these suggestions for building a winning client proposal. And discover even more insights for growing your event planning business by attending The Event Planner Expo!
