Proposal From Major Newspaper Need Your Help

When they say in IM that patience is key, they were not joking.

Some 20 minutes ago, I got a call from my country's biggest newspaper needing my online marketing services. I'm a bit in shock since I have never marketed in my country and companies in our stock exchange are not in my target list of clients.

So I need your help with ideas on what to put in the proposal. Nothing is stupid and nothing is too out there.

They want to launch a new product in the market. They are thinking twitter and facebook as most who don't know IM would.

It this was you, what would you pitch to them. Their pockets run deep.

My advice is that you be a true consultant in this matter. You know best what works in your country or not in terms of IM. You should create a strategy that will have the best impact to the end-users of that said product.

They contacted you for a reason, they acknowledge your skills so don't panic about it. Take a time out, think and come up with a plan you're certain will help them.

But be thorough with that strategy, don't leave anything out and think 10 times about any issues you've missed. All this big dogs are looking for complete and thought out plans, if you bring them a half assed strategy you'll lose them.

Also be confident about your skills and strategy, they react to fear and doubt as a sign of weakness, as it should be. So be prepared to answer delicate questions, mostly the questions you know you don't have the answer to, they have a skill at figuring out what questions to ask. Regarding to the financial matter, don't undersell yourself. They won't go for the cheap one, but won't go for the most expensive one either, give them a REAL price.

Treat this like war, because it will be. When a big network wants a new service provider, they'll only hire the best.

good post there http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/members/226065-ursuake.html

just to add to be careful that you do NOT give them ALL the information,
in case they take your ideas for future development and give the job to someone else.

Communicate with them regularly whislt putting together your pitch,
take your time, but also do it sooner rather than later,
strike whilst the iron is hot, so to speak

They are too dumb to understand what you put in the proposal anyway so just include how they will earn from this and the potential of letting them earn more money and you are good to go

david350 said:

They are too dumb to understand what you put in the proposal anyway so just include how they will earn from this and the potential of letting them earn more money and you are good to go

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I don't agree. They don't become the biggest newspaper in a country relying on dumb employees. If you undervalue the intelligence of a potential business partner you just lost that business opportunity.

david350 said:

They are too dumb to understand what you put in the proposal anyway so just include how they will earn from this and the potential of letting them earn more money and you are good to go

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That is a typical reply from a dope who has not got the first idea what he is talking about...

One of my companies was competent, competitive and professional enough to win a contract to supply and install a multi million US dollar CMMS turnkey package for a leading national paper in Asia...

Let me tell you they were as ultra business and technically aware as any high tech company...

Thanks guys

So what I'm getting from this is that my initial "proposal" shouldn't really be a proposal but an online strategy that they can follow through to their goals. Maybe answer the question, if I were in their shoes, what would I do?

So I'm guessing that even though they are talking about the launching of their site, its badly constructed by the way, I should think of a short term as well as long term strategy and have that as my proposal.

Even if they are requesting a price in this, is this a good idea?

kasheshe said:

Thanks guys

So what I'm getting from this is that my initial "proposal" shouldn't really be a proposal but an online strategy that they can follow through to their goals. Maybe answer the question, if I were in their shoes, what would I do?

So I'm guessing that even though they are talking about the launching of their site, its badly constructed by the way, I should think of a short term as well as long term strategy and have that as my proposal.

Even if they are requesting a price in this, is this a good idea?

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Well if the product is a website then it's clear as daylight. Propose them a strategy but as Goal Line Tech suggested don't make it very transparent so they could apply it themselves.

If they request a price for this you must give them a quote, and the talk will come up to that before you agree on the project. I think you'll manage and pull this through.

Go get 'em and give us an update when you have one .

Even if they have deep pockets, there is a chance that they will also be looking elsewhere,
to incorporate the use of external agencies.

Show your willingness to work with others in a combined and fruitful campaign.

They WILL ask for some sort of a ball park figure, do not be scared by this,
(this is a normal process for one their staff to look at financial implcations - thereby justifying their position within the company).
When quoting, simply state that you would imagine it to be mid to high $x,xxx or $xx,xxx or whatever,
and simply state that you would need a further 48 hours to come up with an exact / fixed price.
This is perfectly reasonable and professional approach.

Also, for what its worth, I tend to gravitate towards the more open minded members of staff
(usually the marketing department or someone who has the vision,ability and aptitude to progress the company)
and work with them, foster a good relationship with them, and I tend to dismiss the negativity (usually from the finance departments lol)
although you cannot ignore their viewpoints - after all it is them that is writing the payment cheques

Think it out, plan to succeed, but do not OVERTHINK it, just get a balance and go for it. BE POSITIVE.
YOU WILL SUCCEED. Have confidence in your ability to get the job, AND crucially to turn that job into a success both for you and the client.

get a contract SIGNED and agree to principle aspects such as payments, amounts, schedules
(for you to report and update, in addition to requesting some money upfront
eg $16,000 payment at start, then $4,000 per month for a period of 12 months minimum etc etc...
^^^^ these are only sample figures, but you get the idea )

Good Luck, and please remember to post again with an update on your progress OP,
because not only will you gain financially (profitably) but you will learn so much from any mistakes etc...
besides, you will also be helping other members here in BHW who will be encountering similar issues in the future.

All the very Best

Thanks again guys.

I have sent my proposal. Didn't know I had so many ideas in my head. It was when I was writing it down that I realised that I should probably write a book.

I have to say, your support and ideas were great and thanks again.

I will definitely update you whether good or bad because its true, it is a learning experience like no other.

bhw rocks!

All the Best, at least it has been a worthwhile experience,
and it will hold you in good favor when the next call comes

Any update? I am really curious if you got the deal.

david350 said:

They are too dumb to understand what you put in the proposal anyway so just include how they will earn from this and the potential of letting them earn more money and you are good to go

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One of the keys to success is to surround yourself with experts for things you need to get done.
They are most certainly not dumb if they follow this principle.

Update:

I was called in to present my proposal to their company on Saturday. It was quite an experience. To be honest with you, these big companies have too much bureaucracy, no wonder they lose out to small enterprises all the time. One interesting thing is that their marketing team had never heard of the word social media signals. I had to explain that they do it but they just don't know it. I guess now I know having a brand name is a good thing.

Will update again.