3 ingredients only you can bring to your proposal (and AI can’t)

Anyone can use ChatGPT or another AI tool to quickly produce proposal texts. But quick and easy doesn’t automatically mean better. Let’s be honest: they often read like a boring driver’s theory manual. Correct, but far from inspiring. And that’s exactly where you can make the difference. Because which proposals stand out? The robot’s or yours? Human input creates impact. Here are 3 ingredients that will make your proposal rise above the rest.

First things first …

Before you think I’m an AI hater: not at all, I use it myself. The question isn’t whether you should use AI, but how. Copying, pasting, and leaning back works fast, but it won’t win you deals. That’s why I advise using the best of both worlds.

1. Use AI for speed
2. Add your own knowledge and personality to give your proposal soul

Even though you have competitors, there’s only one you. Make use of it.

Your ingredient: your own story

I see a proposal as more than just an offer. It’s a chance to tell your story. Storytelling and empathy create emotional value, and a good story sticks.

An example from my own practice: about two years ago, a client asked me to optimize his proposal. When I presented the result a few days later, he said:

“Yes, this is me. This proposal breathes me!”

That was the start of a collaboration that has brought him many deals since. His proposals are no longer dull lists but a real look inside his business.

Stories work. Research (Harvard Business Review, 2018) shows that stories in business communication are remembered 22 times better than facts. A personal story or anecdote has a direct impact compared to a fast, neutral AI text.

Think back to Steve Jobs at the launch of the first iPhone: no endless specifications, just a captivating story about three devices in one. The rest is history.

Your human persuasive power is stronger than AI’s

Of course, you can ask ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini to write your proposal based on Cialdini’s principles of influence. Within seconds, you’ll have a neatly structured proposal. Great — but now it’s your turn.

You’ll refine it by, for example:

• showing genuine interest in your client’s mission (liking principle)
• demonstrating past results (authority and social proof)

Trust is a key predictor of approval and long-term collaboration. Surprise your client with something valuable (reciprocity) — a creative idea or a free mini-audit.

Trust and emotional connection outweigh price. That’s your human advantage, so use it well.

Your personal values, boundaries, and choices

AI writes without a conscience. You decide which clients or projects to take on, how you collaborate, and which values you bring to the table. Act like an experienced chef and make your proposals your signature dish.

People do business with people. You also prefer working with someone who clearly expresses their values, right? That builds trust. Your filter makes each proposal personal, and your values (like transparency and integrity) create more sustainable relationships.

Always keep your ultimate goal in mind

A proposal is not an endpoint but a starting shot. The goal isn’t just getting a yes, but ensuring that yes marks the beginning of a long-term partnership built on mutual trust, where your expertise continues to shine.

Don’t let your proposal become a dry manual that ends up in a drawer. Use AI, but refine, inspire, and win with your voice and your values.

Sources:

• Robert B. Cialdini
• Harvard Business Review (2018, 2020): storytelling and emotional connection in sales