A company requires a design proposal that states what you can propose to do for your client. The nicely prepared and written design proposal is the result between getting new clients and looking for potential clients for an opportunity. As a designer, you need to write a number of proposals over your entire career to get new clients and work for them. You need to learn how to send a good graphic design proposal to get new clients and make successful projects in your portfolio. Learning how to make perfect proposals can lead you to get new clients, successful business. After reading this article you will be assured by your ability to prepare the right proposal to snatch more and more projects in your lap.
Try to follow a business proposal template or a business proposal sample for any graphic design freelance. You will get various examples of project proposals on various websites including the format of project proposals that various websites offer online.
What Is A Design Proposal?
It is a document that tells what you propose to do for your client. Always have a talk or conversation with your client before you make a proposal. Remember it is a proposal not a pitch. Design proposal is the document you send to your client after talking to them. They find multiple service providers in order to find a best fit for the project they want from the designer.
What Do Clients Want To See In The Proposal?
Clients want to see what you have or could bring to them and how you can help them to achieve success in their business. They look for the value that you create in the proposal. They look for options in the proposal that they could get to benefit their business. When you offer more value that exceeds the cost then only they do transactions. So, you need to explain whatever you propose to them because they invest on proposals which give value to them. Your proposal should include the sections like why you are fit for them, all the pricing, deliverables and terms and conditions.
You need to figure out what the client is looking for and design according to that. Make sure the project is urgent and needs to be completed on some specified date then it will happen fast. You need to be pretty straight forward in front of your client and explain it wisely.
Why Do Clients Ask For Proposals?
Clients ask for proposals because they need to figure out which designer can give them the best proposal so that they could choose from them. If you propose some outstanding designs which are different from all and suitable for the client then they would choose your proposal. It should stand out. It is just like making a purchase decision before you shop for anything and compare all the outfits of similar price. The best fit wins which compliments you. So, the clients also choose the proposal that fits well even if it is expensive but delivers value.
Here are the ways you can build a good graphic design proposal:
- Consult with the client what they are looking for in the proposal: Before writing a proposal talk to your potential client about what they are expecting in the proposal and what they want in their project. Sit down and talk thoroughly and look at what is going on with the client. You need to figure out the problem and your design proposal should state to find out the solution. Be a good listener and collect as much as you can and impress them with your prospects.
- Research on the client’s brand: Do enough research on your client’s brand to understand your client’s brand, product or service. You need to understand their situation well and address all the pain points in your design proposal. Research about how many of the people the brand is associated with and how highly their website is ranked. This research will let you know what you need to propose for the client’s brand.
- Mention the problem statement: Clearly state the problem which the client is facing and give a detailed statement about what is the problem of the company and write clearly in points that what are the problems that you are showcasing which you will cater further in the proposal. Then the client will be aware that you have understood the problem clearly and they would read the proposal further with interest.
- Write the proposed solution: Write the exact solution to the problem rather than proposing different solutions. That one exact solution should be so powerful that they do not have to look for anything else. Answer all the questions you will be proposed with so that you get all the answers to the questions that have come to your mind. Let the client know that you have solutions to all such problems they have. You should come up with a proper solution of the graphic design project proposal sample.
- Mention the benefits: Now after you have written down the problems and the solutions, write down the benefits that the client will get. Let them know the outcome they expect when they would select your proposal. It should tell the benefits straight forward. Remember the value should exceed the cost of the project. If you want to refer to websites that offer graphic design proposal template, freelance proposal template or web design proposal template you could refer to Proposify, PandaDoc, Proposable and Bidsketch, etc. Examples of graphic design invoice or business project proposal template is also available during the trial period.
- Pricing information: It is the hardest thing to ask for any graphic designer professional. Assigning financial value to your work allows you to deliver the work which it deserves to get. Pricing value allows you to clearly tell your client that you can sell your services as stated. Write clearly your financial package with confidence and transparency. All these aspects are liked by the client when you have transparency in pricing your created work that you can offer. Make value based pricing for the project and give the deliverable that could transform their brand. Do not put a price after each sentence or the work you can offer. Write that afterwards at the end of the proposal. Always separate time from money and focus more on business goals that are more important than money. This way you can give them a better picture of the price and goals.
- Propose different options: Give them the solutions of their various queries and give a good solution which could help the client’s brand. Give them an option to choose from which could be beneficial for the brand to prosper and good for the project. The freelance proposal templates available online gives you an idea of how to propose different options in front of your client. All kinds of graphic design proposal templates give project proposal samples as to how the format of project proposal should look like.
- Put why me section: You need to talk about your recent projects and what you have offered in our earlier projects or what you have the capability of showcasing in the work. Talk about your experience and reasons that makes you unique and be it for the project you have been offered. Always keep in mind that there are other sellers to the project and you need to write what are the unique points of yours. Write why you are the best person for the job without exaggerating too much.
- Terms and conditions: Write the terms and conditions at the end of the proposal but do not write it too much. Make it simple and easily understandable. Just write 8 to 10 points of what payment you want and by how much. Also what is your work ethics when you work for the client on any project. You can also include your time by giving a visual overview. Give them steps on how to execute the argument.
When you are done with all the steps then you just need a contact signature if your proposal is accepted. That’s all for the perfect design proposal. You are good to go!