Your Proposal Approved: A guide to write a good proposal and get it approved

A good proposal is always a way to show our customers that we are professional. It is also a tool to explain our customers: processes, design development and finally that professional design has a cost.

It is our responsibility as designers to help the client understand the difference between a professional design and one that is not, and also explain the creative process that leads a project. 

With this proposal the client will decide whether you get the contract or not. You will have to convince them that you know exactly what you are doing, It has to build your clients confidence from the start and allow them to trust your expertise.

The following steps are designed to develop a quote for printed material, brochure, catalog, diptych, etc.

Each time you write a proposal, start with your template and tailor it to the specific needs of the job. Sometimes standard clauses may need to be stricken or re-written for special projects.

Remember to save print as a .PDF file so your final layout doesnt change if your client has a different version, and the propossal can be more secure since pdf are harder to change.

 Part 1. Introduction and presentation.

Dear Mr. X

Company name

Address:

Thank you to consider our services to develop your_____________  that it will not only be versatile, attractive and with great quality, but becomes a true nexus of interaction with your customers.

In (name of your company) we evaluate each project in detail and propose the most appropriate solutions for your needs and goals.

The following quotation is a general proposal, if you have questions and comments please feel free to contact us, The ideas of our customers will enrich our work.

Part 2 Brief or Description of the project

In this part we describe as clear and with as few words as possible, exactly the project we are going to develop in order to erase any doubt in the client or us.  This is an opportunity to clarify that we understand exactly what our client requires:

Description

(example) Redesign of corporate brochure

- This design will not use any elements of previous designs and brochures. – We seek a fresh design that reflects the new phase of this company, to supply both the current market for the company and the potential market.

-It will be of great importance highlighting the new 40,000 meters of warehouse.

Part 3 Features

Here we describe exactly what we design, how many pages, what includes or excludes our design. This is also very important for the mental health of the client and ours

-Corporate Brochure, 8 pages.

-Includes retouching photographs supplied by the customer

-The client will provide the texts

- 5 proposals.

Part 4 Delivery

We briefly detail the time it will take the work development.

Draft 1:

3 proposals day / month / year

Draft 2:

Proposal selected with two applications of color  day / month / year

Photo retouching day / month / year

Draft 3

Final concept for evaluation of corrections day / month / year

Brochure Final  day / month / year

Estimated time x weeks

Part 5 Pricing, Values and payment

Once you clearly describe the project you can set the price.

It is very important to always specify the method of payment.

Project Total price $

Payment

50% upon signing of contract and 50% upon delivery of the finished project.

Urgent Delivery

If you require an urgent delivery time will have a total price increase of 30%

Setting a price is always a delicate point, but I recall to articles related to this:  and cheap:

Part 6 Terms and Conditions

In this section we specify special conditions. For example the delivery of materials by the client:

It is your responsibility delivery of materials (pictures or text) any delay in delivery of materials will delay the final delivery of the brochure.

Part 7 A confidentiality clause.

You may want to include a confidentiality clause in the proposal, making it clear to your prospects that the information contained in your proposal should not be shown to others (especially other designers).

This proposal should be considered private and confidential and may not be shared with any third party without the prior written permission of (your name)

Part 8 Close and a call to action.

Finally, after all the details have been made clear, and the price and guarantee given, end with “what happens next.” Let them know exactly what they need to do to get started. If you require payment upfront, let them know where to send the money.

We hope that this proposal meets your expectations and needs. If you have any questions and comments please feel free to contact us.

Contact

Name:

Telephone

Contact email:

Sincerely

Javier Z. – Graphic


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