How to Pitch and Get Buy-in for a Business Proposal

Having lots of ideas is a common trait for many of us in the wedding industry—you have couples hiring you to create unique weddings and guest experiences for them, after all. But in addition to the ideas you need to present to your couples, you’ve likely had more than an idea or two about ways to better (or build) the company you own or work for. 

Pitching ideas to your clients is very different from throwing them to business partners, owners or higher-ups, and it can be not easy to get people to buy in—even if the idea is really good. So today, we wanted to make sure you can walk into the proverbial boardroom with confidence and create buy-in like the best of them. Read on to learn more about why getting buy-in is essential to seeing your ideas come to life, as well as for tips to help you pitch your business proposal.

Why buy-in matters

Even when you have a great idea, it’s almost impossible just to start implementing it if you aren’t a business-party-of-1. Because when you have business partners, bosses or external stakeholders, you need to get people on board before making changes to a process, budget, brand, etc. If you have ever tried to make moves on an idea without support, you’ll know that ideas can fall flat or never gain the momentum you need. To achieve that support, you must build a case explaining why your idea is worthwhile so everyone can get on the same page. Once that happens, your concept can gain steam.

How to get decision-makers to buy in

So, how can you get the support you need to start a project, make a change in your process or approve another line item in the budget? Let’s talk it through.

It starts with a clear vision—Every strong business proposal starts with a clear vision and understanding of the problem you are trying to solve. For example, is there a process you feel could be more efficient because you personally (and repeatedly) experience a roadblock? Take some time to dive into the problem, why it is keeping the business from achieving its goals, and how a different approach could be a positive change.   

You have to sell your business proposal – If you want the chance of getting the approval you need, you need to sell your business partners, owners or decision makers on the outcome (or expected benefits). For example, if you want to start advertising on The Knot and WeddingWire as a way to get more leads, what are the benefits of doing so? You should be able to communicate those benefits (advertising as a low-touch way of getting a consistent stream of inquiries, allowing you to stay focused on nurturing your leads and potentially even lowering your cost of acquiring new bookings) clearly to your stakeholders.

Pro tip: While we’re on the subject, are you interested in learning more about advertising with The Knot and WeddingWire? Sign up for a demo!

Make space for collaboration – People are more likely to buy into your business proposal if they feel their input is valued and considered, so your pitch must include time for collaborative discussion. Listen to others’ ideas with genuine interest and resist getting defensive if you hear constructive criticism. After all, sometimes, the best version of your concept will stem from it.

Time it right – Timing is everything when pitching ideas and getting people on board—the best idea at the wrong time gets as much traction as no idea. For example, if you pitch a big idea during your wedding business’s busy season, it will likely get lost in the shuffle. On the other hand, if you propose the same idea during a slower part of the year,  everyone with something to contribute or complete would have ample time to do so, giving your idea a real chance at coming to life.

How to pitch your proposal

Now that we’ve talked through ways to create the right environment for creating buy-in, let’s talk through the nuts and bolts of how to structure your pitch. 

Business Proposal Outline

There is no need to stress—you can follow this simple outline and be inspired by the example below. You can keep it simple and list out talking points or put together a longer version in a presentation deck.

• Lead with the problem 
• Present your idea (the solution)
• Have examples, data or arguments
• Discuss the pros and cons
• Have a plan for tracking data
• Close with the benefit

Business Proposal Example

Problem: Our wedding venue needs to maintain a steady stream of leads.

Solution: Our venue starts advertising on The Knot and WeddingWire.

Data: 75% of couples use platforms like The Knot and WeddingWire to plan their weddings. That means comparable venues in the area are likely using them to reach these couples. 

Cons: It costs money to advertise.

Pros: The Knot and WeddingWire have the largest audience of couples actively planning their weddings. So, when they find a venue they love, they are exponentially more likely to book it. 

Tracking data: When you advertise with The Knot and WeddingWire, you get built-in analytics. The important metrics will be tracked automatically, and we can constantly see how the platform is performing for us.

Biggest benefit: We can focus on refining our sales process instead of hunting for sales leads. We can potentially reduce our overall marketing costs.

Now that you have this simple breakdown, you can apply your idea to it and turn it into a full-blown proposal. Remember, the one thing you need to accomplish right now is to get everyone on the same page so you’ll have support for your idea. Once that happens, you’ll have a much easier time getting the green light you need.

Think it’s time for advertising and looking to pitch The Knot and WeddingWire to your team? Get your proof points and pitch ready with consumer and vendor insights into both platforms so you can nail your pitch.

Photo Credit: ARENA Creative / Shutterstock.com