There are many types of proposals. These can be categorized according to the particular aim of the person who writes the proposal. It may be academic, professional, and commercial. Here, in a simple manner, it is categorized into four types- Internal Proposal, External Proposal, Solicited Proposal, and Unsolicited Proposal.
[1] Internal Proposal-
A proposal that is written within the same organization, department may vary, is called an internal proposal. It is not too lengthy and is not required to explain much in detail. We can say it is not very explanatory.
[2] External Proposal-
A proposal which is written to a certain organization/ government/ business, including a lot of information is called an external proposal. It is written for some specific purpose.
[3] Solicited Proposal-
A proposal which is based on request for a proposal to be sent, by the recipient / customer is called solicited proposal. They may ask verbally, or they may issue a written request for the proposal. This proposal has a specific purpose.
[4] Unsolicited Proposal-
This type of proposal does not have specific requirements. However, it is most valuable for starting to write the proposal. It is in the form of a casual conversation.
Types of Business Proposals-
A business proposal is a document written in a business-related context. These are used to make a plan or design the path for increasing sale and increasing marketing of the products or services, etc. These can also be divided into three types- Formally Solicited Business Proposal, Informally Solicited Business Proposal, and Unsolicited Solicited Business Proposal.
[1] Formally Solicited Business Proposal
To meet the business requirements, Formally Solicited Business Proposals are created by the company for their recipients like customers or an audience. Formally Solicited Business Proposal is prepared in such a structure with the aim to quantify the needs of the business. The following types of Formally Solicited Business Proposal are used in an organization:
a) Request for Quotation (RFQ): Quotation is a document which contains the information like time period, cost specific, terms of services, etc. A customer issues the proposal to the supplier when there is a need of large quantity of goods.
b) Request for Proposal (RFP): Basically, it is written by the customer’s side in order to meet their needs regarding product or services if available product or service is not up to their satisfaction level or what they want.
c) Invitation for Bid (IFB): Bid is an offer or an effort to do something and to pay a particular price for the same. It is done to check the price, when a customer wants to get the required services, then IFBs are issued.
d) Request for Information (RFI): This is the first proposal above all. The purpose of writing the RFI is to get information about the product, services, vendors etc. It gives the shape to further decision.
[2] Informally Solicited Business Proposal
Informally Solicited Business Proposal is the descriptions of the vendor, product or prospective customer based on a conversation with key issues. They do not contain formal requirements to respond.
[3] Unsolicited Business Proposal
These are also called “marketing brochure” as earlier explained that these proposals are used just to introduce the product or services by the vendor initially. It does not contain specific information. The main aim to prepare this business proposal is to reach up to prospective customers. These are not designed to close a sale, but just to introduce the possibility of a sale.