Freelancing 101: What Are Proposals?

As a freelancer, you probably spend a large portion of your time writing proposals. They’re an essential part of finding clients and securing work, but if you’re just starting out, it can be tough to know what (or how much) to include in one. In this post, we’ll help you understand what goes into a proposal so that you can write them confidently and effectively.

Writing Proposals that Sell in 2022 | Upwork Power Webinar

Takeaways
1. Understand the importance of freelance proposals in securing projects.
2. Learn how to craft effective and persuasive freelance proposals.
3. Discover the essential elements to include in a freelance proposal.
4. Explore tips and best practices for writing successful proposals.
5. Gain insights into the role of proposals in establishing credibility and winning clients.

Table of Contents

A Proposal Is A Plan For How You Will Carry Out A Project For A Client

A proposal is a plan for how you will carry out a project for a client. It is one of the most important documents in your freelance business and should be given as much attention as possible.

The goal of any proposal is to have clients agree to work with you. This can be difficult, especially if they haven’t heard of you or trust that what they’re reading is accurate. To make this process easier, it’s important to learn how proposals are supposed to look and feel so that yours stands out from the rest!

A proposal is not:

An executable contract

A formal letter

Building a successful freelance career starts with creating effective proposals. Learn how to craft compelling freelance proposals with our comprehensive Freelance Proposals: Template & Writing Guide and increase your chances of landing quality clients.

Proposals Are Usually Written In Response To An RFP (Request For Proposal) From A Company Or Organization

RFPs are often used in the business world to determine which companies should be awarded a contract. They’re generally very specific, and require specific responses from companies that are submitting proposals.

Often, the company or organization that is issuing the RFP will write it themselves, instead of using something like a template.

This means they have complete control over what they want to be included in their proposal requirements and how they want them laid out; it also means that if you don’t write your proposal exactly as they ask for it, then you may not get considered at all!

Do Your Research Before You Write Your Proposal

It’s important to research the client and their project before you start writing your proposal. Researching the industry, competition, market and other factors will help you make a more informed decision about how to approach the project. For example:

Do they have a budget for your services? If so, what is it? Can you work within that budget or do you need to adjust your fee structure appropriately?

How long do they want this project completed? Do they have any time constraints or deadlines that you should know about ahead of time (i.e., if it’s due by next week)? These are questions that can be answered through research and will help inform how much time you’ll need on hand when working with this particular client.

Writing Proposals Is A Skill That Can Take Years To Refine

Clear and easy-to-understand: The purpose of a proposal is to communicate your ideas to clients. It’s important to make sure you write it in a language they’ll understand. Avoid industry jargon or buzzwords wherever possible, and don’t assume the client will understand everything you say unless you explain it clearly and concisely.

Organized and well-written: A good proposal should be organized so the reader knows what they’re getting before they even open the document.

Make sure each section has enough information so that someone who doesn’t know much about your field will have an idea of what’s covered in each part of your project (i.e., what makes up an excellent pitch).

This will also help editors and proofreaders catch any mistakes before sending them off for review by clients or editors!

Are you a freelance writer looking to win more clients? Our collection of 12 Freelance Writing Proposal Templates will help you create professional and persuasive proposals that stand out from the competition.

The More Clearly You Communicate Your Approach And Values

Even if you paint a compelling picture of what it is that you do, there are still going to be some questions that clients might have about how they can work with you in their specific way. The best thing to do when this happens is to just ask them!

Let’s say a client asks whether or not it would be possible for them to get the XYZ feature included in your proposal package at a such-and-such price point; don’t assume anything just ask!

By doing so, we’re showing our willingness as freelancers and designers (or developers or writers) to understand how a client uses our services and how we can help them achieve their goals by providing exactly what they need from us without surprise or disappointment later down the road when things aren’t quite working out as planned.

Give The Client Enough Details About Your Proposed Work

A proposal is a document that explains how you will deliver value to the client. You should provide enough detail about what your proposed work will look like so that the client can understand what exactly you’ll be doing and how it will benefit them.

Start With A Brief Description Of Your Background, Experience, And Qualifications

Explain why you’re uniquely qualified to solve their problem(s) or meet their needs in this particular way show evidence if you have any!

Give details about exactly what you’ll be doing for them (i.e., the scope of work). This should include:

What kind of result do they expect?
How will success be measured?
What resources do they need from us to get started?
How often will we report back to them?
When are we delivering this project? How much should they expect to pay per hour/project milestone/etc.?

If you have worked with similar clients or on similar projects in the past, including case studies and testimonials in your proposal to demonstrate this.

If you have worked with similar clients or on similar projects in the past, including case studies and testimonials in your proposal to demonstrate this. Make sure they are relevant to the project you are proposing and don’t include too many of them.

Also, make sure that they aren’t all positive (some clients won’t want negative feedback), but if there is any negative feedback, it should be included in a separate section called “Sample Customer Feedback.”

Writing freelance proposals can be challenging, but following best practices can greatly improve your success rate. Check out our guide on Best Practices for Writing Freelance Proposals to enhance your proposal-writing skills and win more projects.

Be Honest About Your Skills And Experience

Be clear and concise. You don’t have a lot of space in a proposal, so use every word wisely. Avoid jargon or industry-specific language when possible; make sure that your tone is friendly even if the subject matter is technical or professional; avoid any unnecessary repetition (or even less than necessary repetition).

Writing a compelling freelance proposal requires careful attention to detail. Check out our article on 15 Tips on How to Write a Freelance Proposal for Your Next Project to discover practical tips and techniques that will help you create winning proposals that impress clients.

Include A Table Of Contents At The Beginning Of Each Section

You should aim to make your proposal as clear, organized, and readable as possible. Clients don’t have time to wade through verbose or jargon-filled language; they want to know exactly what they’re getting and why they should hire you.

Proposals are a critical part of the freelance process. When you’re bidding on a project, it’s important to communicate how your skills and experience can meet the client’s needs, then offer a pricing structure that makes sense for them.

When writing your proposal, it’s important to keep in mind that clients don’t have time to wade through verbose or jargon-filled language; they want to know exactly what they’re getting and why they should hire you.

You should aim to make your proposal as clear, organized, and readable as possible. Clients don’t want to read something that’s overly wordy or complicated; they just want answers!

A strong freelance proposal is a key factor in winning clients. Discover the five quick tips that will help you create outstanding proposals in our article, Your Freelance Proposal is Only as Good as Your Work. Master the art of proposal writing and take your freelance career to new heights.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, your freelance proposal is a chance to put your best foot forward and show off what you have to offer as a freelancer.

Whether you’re looking for full-time work, part-time work, or just a project every once in a while, using a well-crafted proposal template can help you save time and get hired faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Proposals?

Proposals are documents that you can use to sell yourself and your services. They’re often used in business, but if you’re a freelancer, they’re especially important because they help you to stand out from other freelancers and attract clients who might not have found you otherwise.

What Should A Proposal Include?

A proposal should include information about what the client is looking for, what kind of work you’ll be doing for them, how much it will cost and when it will be done by (including any milestones). It’s also really important that proposals are written in a professional tone and that they include a comprehensive description of your skills and experience.

When Should I Write A Proposal?

You should write a proposal when you’re hired by someone to perform work for them. However, if you’re planning to offer your services on sites like Upwork or Freelancer, you may be asked to write one before submitting your application.

This will give your potential client an idea of how much time their job will take, so they can decide whether or not it’s worth hiring you for the job.

Why Do I Need To Write A Proposal?

Writing a proposal is one of the best ways to get paid for your work. If you don’t write a proposal when you’re hired, the client might feel like they’re hiring an amateur and expect them to work for free or at an uncompetitive rate.

On the other hand, if you include all the details about your services in an organized, professional way, then clients will know that they’re getting high-quality work from someone who takes their business seriously.

How Do I Write One?

There are lots of different ways to write proposals; just make sure that whatever method you choose is simple, clear, and easy to read. You can use bullet points or numbered lists if that feels more natural for you just make sure everything’s there!

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.