Video

How to Evaluate Proposals like a Pro

Transform your business with these five tips for evaluating proposals today.

Step #1: Note the Timeline and Budget.

Always take a look at the timeline and the budget. This is very critical. Before you start to look at outsourcing or anything that you need, you must make sure that you know exactly how much money you’re willing to spend, and the time frame that you need to get it done.

Step #2: Check References.

It’s very important when taking a look at proposals, that you take a good look at people’s references. It’s easy to go ahead and take someone from a recommendation, however, it’s very important that you find out how someone works, what their personality is like, and whether or not they’re going to be able to get the job done in the way that you need it to get done.

Step #3: Look at the Fine Print.

Always take a look at the fine print. You never know what someone is going to put in their proposal. If you’re hiring for a web developer, you certainly want to know how many revisions they will do, and how long they’re going to work with you after your site launches. The same is true for any other service provider, or someone who’s doing something for you.

Step #4: Evaluate Multiple Proposals.

Don’t just get one proposal. When evaluating proposals, look at about four or more different proposals. Get proposals all the way from the high end of the services you want to hire, as well as the lower end of the services you seek to hire. You must understand the entire scope of the services you are considering. Also make sure that you know which service is possible for you to hire, depending on what your budget is, and what exactly it is that you’re looking for.

Step #5: Ask a Lot of Questions.

What I learned a long time ago is you should be able to ask anyone anything like a five-year-old. If they cannot answer it for you very specifically, then they might be trying to get over on you. The smartest people have actually learned to ask questions like five-year-olds. The more questions that you ask, the better your understanding and the better you will be at evaluating proposals, and hiring someone.

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