I love psychology and how little acts can make people do the things you want to do.

First off, some words and phrases that you should avoid in your proposals and the reasons for doing so. From, Captureplanning.com

Phrase{PppPrm	Reason to Avoid It
We understand	Don’t tell the customer what you understand. Tell them what you will do and how they will benefit. The results will demonstrate that you understand. Even if the customer asks you to show your understanding you should speak in terms of how what you do, provide, or deliver will meet their needs. Understanding should be demonstrated and not claimed.
We believe, think, or feel	Who cares? The customer doesn’t care what you think. Take whatever you were about to say and turn it into a positive action and state the benefits to the customer.
We intend to	Either you do it, or you don’t. Who cares what your intentions are.
We are devoted to	This is just another way of saying you intend to.
Our highest priority	This like saying it’s your greatest intention.
We hope	That’s like saying you intend to but you’re not sure you’ll be able to.
We desire your business	Of course you do! But your proposal should not be about your needs, it should be about the customer’s needs.
We are committed	Customers don’t what your commitment, they want results.
We are pleased to submit	Of course you are! Does that phrase do anything other than waste the evaluator’s time and attention?
We are quality focused	This is another way of stating your intentions. Instead of focusing on quality, deliver it.
We will strive, try, or attempt	Customers don’t want you to try, they want you to deliver
We will	If it is something that you do (in the present tense) then just do it.
We would be honored	This is just another way of saying how you feel and talking about yourself instead of making it about the customer.
We can provide	Either you provide it, or you don’t.
Our mission is to	This is just another way of stating your intention.
We value	Instead of valuing it, deliver it.
State-of-the-art	This is overused and not credible.
The right choice	Prove it.
Uniquely qualified	Prove it.
Best of breed/class	Prove it.
Premier, world class, world-renowned	Unproveable. Using it is wasting the evaluators attention.
Dedicated to	Your dedication is not relevant to whether you have delivered or not.
Leading company, leading edge, leading provider, industry leader, pioneers, etc.	Overused and not believable. Don’t damage your credibility by using it.
Top-quality	Is there any other kind?
Full service	What exactly does that mean and is it credible?
Comprehensive solutions	As opposed to?
Fast growing	Your ability to take customer’s money quickly is not exactly a selling point to the customer.
Trustworthy	I don’t know about you, but when I hear a salesperson say that I tend to run away.
Customer first	This is not believable. Everyone knows there are limits to what you will do for your customers. Don’t strain your credibility.

Second, ever wanted to sell your art but you have no one who wants to buy it? Have you tried placing it next to another piece with a slightly higher price? As this article explains anchoring in the decision making process can make all the difference.

Similarly related to anchoring is what goes on in this about train of thought and this video about advertising.

Lastly, I just wanted to post a link to this video entitled Randy Pausch Last Lecture, simply because it's just so inspiring.