Here are some basic tips and a simple structure to help you write a workshop proposal.
- If you haven’t already, now is the time to come up with a catchy title!
- Start your proposal with the title and a brief, one-paragraph summary.
- Include your experience and background. Why are you qualified to lead this course?
- Know your audience and tailor your proposal to them. Your proposals, and the workshop itself, may need to be fine-tuned to each audience. For example, community centre attendees may be looking for different outcomes than literary festival-goers. Be clear about who the intended audience is; beginners, intermediate writers etc.
- Explain how your workshop solves a problem – for example, will it improve expression, build confidence, or support mental wellness?
- Clearly list the learning objective and the smaller steps participants will be taking to achieve the objective (see example below).
- Explain the format and duration. Is the workshop online or in person? Is it a presentation? Are there activities? Is there any group work?
- Mention the resources you will provide. Have you made handouts? Will you provide participants with your slides? Are there writing prompts? Etc.
- Explain what the cost of the workshop is.
- If you have testimonials, you could include include them in your proposal – but keep them short.
- End your proposal with a clear next step – ‘Please feel free to reach out to discuss scheduling, customization, or to request a sample outline’, for example.
An example of a Learning Objective broken down into small steps
The objective of the workshop is [learning objective]
Participants will:
- Learn how to structure a compelling narrative.
- Discover techniques to access vivid memories.
- Receive feedback on a short writing exercise.
- Leave with a draft and prompts for continued writing.
Whatever you choose to write, ensure you tie it to the learning objective.