Regardless of the industry you have cemented your niche, most of us can agree on one overarching point: freelancing is hard work! Unless you are fortunate enough to be working closely with an agent to represent you, or receive enough referrals to keep a steady stream of clients coming your way, majority of your time is spent finding new jobs and landing new clients. A well-crafted proposal for freelance work, like this one from PandaDoc (check this and this out, as well), can help to propel you to the head of the pack of your competitors by providing you with an opportunity to showcase your professionalism. Let’s take a look at how to write a winning proposal for freelance work.
Parts of the Proposal
If you’re new to the proposal process, you may be wondering what the point of a proposal is, as well as what to even include. Basically, a proposal shows that you understand the potential client’s ask and needs, highlights your relevant skills, and outlines your plan. Exactly what you include can vary by your industry, but here’s the gist of what you’ll want to include:
· A summary of the project. This is where you demonstrate your understanding of the potential client’s ask, and your solution.
· A cost estimate. Be as detailed as you can be here—nobody likes surprises when it comes to money. If you’re bidding on something like an interior design project, which can be difficult to put an exact price on until the job specifics are fleshed out with your client, include your rate (hourly or otherwise) and a rough budget for materials, etc., while noting that the actual price may change.
· Breakdown of the process and timeline. One question every client is sure to ask is “when will this be done?” Provide a detailed project outline and tentative completion timeline for each task.
· Provisions and payment. You’ll likely delve into this more with an official contract, but include any provisions (how many revisions are included, etc.) and payment specifics (how much is due when) so your potential clients know what to expect.
· Signatures and contact info. Let your readers know how to get in touch with you, and provide signature lines for you both to accept the proposal’s terms. Consider sending your proposal electronically and allowing potential clients to agree with e-Signatures. This will expedite the process and could give you a competitive edge.
It’s Not About You … Completely
If you’re one of the 60 percent of American freelance workers who made the jump to freelance by choice, you’ve probably got some skills—at least enough to be confident that you can go it alone and be successful. Sure, those amazing skills are your bread and butter, and your potential clients should know about them. However, when you sit down to draft your proposal, think about the potential client first. Instead of immediately focusing on all of the tools you have in your toolbox, focus on the client’s problem and what’s going to resonate with them.
Do your research and figure out exactly what they’re looking for. Look through the company’s website, staff directory, and check out their competitors. If you know their business, competitive landscape, and what skillsets their team members already have, you’ll know how to present yourself and your services in your proposal, and you can include some points in your proposal that show you’ve done your homework.
Showing Your Skills
While demonstrating that you understand the client and their problem is key, you’ll also want to introduce yourself to the client. Consider including an About section, and be sure to sell your skills in the intro.
It’s tempting to show potential clients everything you can do, but ultimately they only care about what’s relevant to them. If you have an RFP or job description, study it and make sure you highlight any relevant skills, experience, and/or degrees you have. The knowledge you gained while researching the client can help you decide what experience and skills you should tout. You should also consider including some social proof—client testimonials go a long way. And, of course, relevant samples speak for themselves.
Show That You Care
Part of landing any job is showing not only that you can do it, but that you want to do it. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, mention some points you’ll include in your work or provide a rough outline of the blog that you’d like to create for your freelance client, and use a tone similar to theirs. You don’t need to do the project for free, but show that you’ve given it more than a little thought. This will demonstrate that you have the skillset, and that you’re a self-starter.
Make It Shiny
Nobody likes to read boring stuff, and the world is full of skimmers. You have a lot to convey in your proposal, but try to keep it brief and make it engaging. Subheads, bulleted lists, images, and the like can help make the information in your proposal more digestible.
And remember, even the most well-written proposals will benefit from looking good. Make sure yours is on-brand with your logo, brand colors, and other relevant brand-recognition aspects. Ensure that it’s well organized, well thought-out, free of spelling and grammatical errors, as well as maintain a polished look. Customizable templates can help you make sure all of your documents look professional, and can be easily saved and re-edited the next time you need to send out a proposal. By delivering beautifully-constructed proposals, you’ll gain plenty of clients and keep your freelance business rockin’.