#52 Proposing Ideas to a Client｜English Business Phrases

In the business world, there are many opportunities to propose new ideas or improvements to a client.

When presenting a suggestion in English, it is important to convey that you understand the client’s goals and can clearly explain the reasoning behind your proposal.

Choosing expressions that are not overly strong also helps ensure that your client does not feel pressured and can receive your ideas more openly.

In this article, I introduce natural English expressions used when proposing ideas to a client, along with a sample dialogue.

Dialogue

A

Thank you for meeting with me today. I’d like to share a suggestion regarding your marketing plan.

B

Sure, I’m happy to hear it. What do you have in mind?

A

We’ve analyzed the recent customer data, and we believe adding a short video campaign could increase engagement.

B

That sounds interesting. How would it work exactly?

A

We suggest launching a series of 15-second videos highlighting your key products. It’s cost-effective and easy to test.

B

I like the idea. Could you send me a detailed plan by early next week?

A

Absolutely. I’ll prepare the proposal and send it to you by Monday.

1. How to Introduce a Proposal

When proposing an idea to a client, it is important to use expressions that sound polite and not forceful.

Both expressions sound considerate and are suitable for business settings. Using words like “suggestion” or “idea” helps avoid sounding pushy.

Adding a brief expression of appreciation at the beginning makes an even better impression:

2. Presenting the Basis for Your Proposal

To make your proposal convincing, it is essential to provide reasons or data to support it.

Using verbs like “analyze” or “found that” shows that your proposal is based on evidence rather than intuition.

Then, you can briefly introduce the direction of your suggestion:

The verb “believe” softens the tone, making the suggestion easier for the client to accept.

3. Presenting a Concrete Idea

Once the client shows interest, the next step is to explain your proposal in more detail.

The verb “suggest” is commonly used in business proposals and sounds less forceful than “recommend,” making it suitable for initial suggestions.

Adding specific benefits increases the persuasiveness of your proposal:

Explaining clear advantages helps the client understand the value of your idea.

4. Next Steps After a Proposal

Once your proposal is accepted, it is important to clarify the next steps.

Client’s request:

Your response:

Setting a clear deadline and describing your next action helps build trust in a business relationship.

Summary