A fill-in-the-blank custom proposal template with tips for every section — so you can confidently pitch any project, from retainers to one-off copywriting jobs.
[Your Name/Business Name/Logo]
Client Name: [Insert Skill or Service] Proposal
PROJECT GOALS / OBJECTIVE
Short project description or service overview goes here. Include any info from your discovery call about goals and objectives.
SCOPE OF WORK
Service Number 1
A short explanation of your service, if needed, can go here.
- Deliverable 1
- Deliverable 2
- Deliverable 3
Service Number 2
A short explanation of an additional service you’re doing, if needed, can go here.
- Deliverable 1
- Deliverable 2
- Deliverable 3
Service Number 3
A short explanation of an additional service you’re doing, if needed, can go here.
- Deliverable 1
- Deliverable 2
- Deliverable 3
TIMELINE
It will take [#] [weeks/months] from our project kickoff date to complete the services scoped above.
- Week 1 – [Date–Date]: Kickoff
- Week 2 & 3 – [Date–Date]: Research and execution
- Week 4 – [Date–Date]: Review and revisions
WHAT I NEED FROM YOU…
To meet our target deliverable dates, I will need the following assets from you before I can get started:
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
- Etc…
INVESTMENT
If it’s hourly use this and delete the rest…
Rate: $60/hour
Hours: Estimated 10 hours
Project Estimate: $600
Payment Terms: You will be invoiced upon completion of this project, payment terms Net 7. You can pay with an ACH, credit card via Stripe. The invoice will be sent to your email address or payment portal.
If it’s a project fee use this and delete the rest…
Project Investment: $12,000
Any out-of-scope requests will be billed at my standard rate, $120/hr
Payment terms: 50% due at kickoff of the project and 50% due upon completion, payment terms Net7. You can pay with an ACH, credit card via Stripe. The invoice will be sent to your email address or payment portal.
If it’s a retainer use this and delete the rest…
Monthly Retainer Rate: $6,000
Hours: Includes up to 20 hours per week during normal business hours. Anything beyond 20 hours will be billed at my standard rate, $120/hr.
Payment Terms: Retainer will be invoiced bi-weekly, payment terms Net7. You can pay with an ACH, credit card via Stripe. The invoice will be sent to your email address or payment portal.
CONTACT
Email:
Website:
Book a Call:
Examples:
- Forter
- Senchi Designs
- FarOut (old template but similar content)
Tips:
- Try making your proposal 2 columns and including links to portfolio pieces, stats, proof, case studies, etc. in the right-hand column to show your work/experience
- Make it Skimmable
Tips by section:
1. PROJECT GOALS / OBJECTIVE: Be Clear & Client-Focused
- Speak to their pain points – Use what you learned in your discovery call to frame the project in terms of how it helps them (e.g., “Your brand needs a strong LinkedIn presence that not only increases visibility but also builds authority and generates leads.”).
- Tie it to outcomes – Instead of just stating services, highlight the result (e.g., “This project will create a strategic, high-quality LinkedIn content ecosystem that ensures consistency and drives engagement.”).
2. SCOPE OF WORK: Make It Easy to Digest
- Keep deliverables specific – Instead of vague descriptions, break down exactly what they’re getting. (e.g., “4 ad variations per month designed to target different audience segments and maximize conversions.”).
- Use bullet points wisely – This makes it easy to skim and helps the client immediately understand value.
- Avoid jargon – If your client isn’t a marketing expert, make sure your scope is clear and easy to understand.
3. TIMELINE: Show Structure & Efficiency
- Onboarding - Don’t forget to include your onboarding timeline!! You’ll need a week or two to get set up with the assets they give you, your planning, their tech, their response times, etc.
- Set expectations – Give them a clear picture of what to expect week by week.
- Build in buffer time – If they’re slow on approvals or feedback, ensure your schedule can accommodate delays.
4. WHAT I NEED FROM YOU: Reduce Bottlenecks
- Be explicit – The clearer you are, the faster you’ll get what you need. (e.g., “I need access to past LinkedIn content and performance metrics to ensure my strategy builds on what’s worked before.”).
- Emphasize collaboration – Frame it as working together toward a goal rather than just a list of demands.
5. INVESTMENT: Make Pricing Feel Like a No-Brainer
- Frame pricing around value – Instead of just listing the cost, remind them what they’re getting. (e.g., “This retainer ensures you receive strategic, high-quality LinkedIn content without the hassle of piecemeal hiring or inconsistent messaging.”).
- Be confident – Don’t justify pricing; state it clearly and professionally.
- Include payment options – Make it easy for them to say yes.
6. CONTACT: Reinforce Trust & Availability
- Include a scheduling link – If they have questions, make it effortless for them to hop on a call.
- Show professionalism – A well-structured contact section reassures them that you’re organized and easy to work with.
You may also like these lessons: - how to price custom projects - value-based pricing