Fellow Offliners... Proposals?

joshril · 06-14-2009, 08:54 PM

I've been working with a few clients as of late, and I've been putting together rather basic proposals.

Does anyone have a solid proposal template that they use that they would be willing to share?

Thanks in advance!

joshril · 06-15-2009, 01:29 PM

I guess I'm the only one writing proposals...

LMC · 06-15-2009, 01:41 PM

josh,

Honestly, our proposal is what gets us our business, it converts at 17-22% right now, and not to be a dick... but it is our gold, we start sharing that, we will eventually lose business...

However, ask some specific proposal questions and i can help answer them.

RockstarBen · 06-15-2009, 01:56 PM

Truth is, I treat every client like they were my only client and write custom proposals. There is a formula, however. Here it is:

1) Identify their pain. If you had a good interview/sit-down, you should know what their pain is. Hint, 95% of the time - the pain is CASH - saving cash or generating more cash!

2) Outline the steps you will take to relieve their pain. The two big ones: Lead Generation (A/R Setup); and Traffic Generation (SEO).

3) List out the benefits of your prescription - how they will generate cash and save cash at the same time...

4) VERY IMPORTANT!!! List a basic matrix of the TIME COSTS of your work. For example, A chart that shows how many hours it will take to setup an A/R, how many hours to create backlinks, blog content, etc. Overwhelm them...

5) Pricing. If you did a good job in showing how your service will solve their pain, save them time, and generate an ROI - you will sell! Also, include on the price sheet - your guarantees and mention your "referral program." I like to put - "Want your monthly maintenance for free? Ask about our referral program..." ---- We give 1 free month to our clients for every referral that converts...

There you have it... Keep your eyes out, as I will soon post some offline support materials on WF...

--Ben

joshril · 06-15-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMC

josh,

Honestly, our proposal is what gets us our business, it converts at 17-22% right now, and not to be a dick... but it is our gold, we start sharing that, we will eventually lose business...

However, ask some specific proposal questions and i can help answer them.

I definitely understand this... you're not being a dick at all.

joshril · 06-15-2009, 02:16 PM

Great info! Thanks for the feedback!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheriffBen

Truth is, I treat every client like they were my only client and write custom proposals. There is a formula, however. Here it is:

1) Identify their pain. If you had a good interview/sit-down, you should know what their pain is. Hint, 95% of the time - the pain is CASH - saving cash or generating more cash!

2) Outline the steps you will take to relieve their pain. The two big ones: Lead Generation (A/R Setup); and Traffic Generation (SEO).

3) List out the benefits of your prescription - how they will generate cash and save cash at the same time...

4) VERY IMPORTANT!!! List a basic matrix of the TIME COSTS of your work. For example, A chart that shows how many hours it will take to setup an A/R, how many hours to create backlinks, blog content, etc. Overwhelm them...

5) Pricing. If you did a good job in showing how your service will solve their pain, save them time, and generate an ROI - you will sell! Also, include on the price sheet - your guarantees and mention your "referral program." I like to put - "Want your monthly maintenance for free? Ask about our referral program..." ---- We give 1 free month to our clients for every referral that converts...

There you have it... Keep your eyes out, as I will soon post some offline support materials on WF...

--Ben

RockstarBen · 06-15-2009, 02:30 PM

I agree with that. I just wanted to keep it simple and to the point. You are dead on about that. I don't even bother taking on clients when I can't project an ROI that is realistic.

Also, it is not so much a timeline, as it is a projection of time savings. Business Owners' time is thin. Reminding them that they have another hat that you will wear for them is a perceived ROI.

In my case, I find my time so thin that the first cost I consider is time. Any way that will allow me to save my time is a win for me. Besides, a 2-sided ROI will convert. My proposals convert over 35% of the time. Why? Because I show them 3 things: 1) How they will reduce outflows of cash. 2) How they will generate new inflows of cash. 3) How they will save time expenses that increase efficiency and productivity.

Once this point is made, they will be crazy NOT to hire you!

Barry Walls · 06-15-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMC

josh,

Honestly, our proposal is what gets us our business, it converts at 17-22% right now, and not to be a dick... but it is our gold, we start sharing that, we will eventually lose business...

However, ask some specific proposal questions and i can help answer them.

well...you are being a tad over cautious. Whats the odds that hes gonna take business from you?

Steve Peters Benn · 06-15-2009, 04:54 PM

LMC - I do understand where you are coming from, but if I had taken the same view there would never have been my war room series, and honestly, it hasn't harmed my business one bit.

Eric Stanley · 06-15-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Walls

well...you are being a tad over cautious. Whats the odds that hes gonna take business from you?

Clients usually only see the proposal -- won't be losing any business if a template is shared. In fact here is my personal template for all of you offliners to share, modify, and enjoy!

Order Proposal Template

Barry Walls · 06-15-2009, 05:08 PM

^^

Good man Eric.

Eric Stanley · 06-15-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Walls

^^

Good man Eric.

You're welcome

joshril · 06-15-2009, 11:48 PM

You 'da man, Eric!

LMC · 06-16-2009, 08:47 AM

Barry, Steve,

The OP is located where a partner of mine will be setting up shop, because we are expanding at the moment... I guess I am being a bit too cautious, but rather then publicly display it, I'll PM josh...

artwebster · 06-16-2009, 11:34 AM

My basic proposal - "My name is Arthur and I want to show you how to cut your expenses next month and probably find new cash customers"

Simple, to the point, demonstrable and transparent. I just wish I was well enough to start using it again!

06-14-2009, 08:54 PM	#1
joshril Joshua Hayes War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 1,058 Thanks: 485 Thanked 244 Times in 119 Posts Social Networking	Fellow Offliners... Proposals? I've been working with a few clients as of late, and I've been putting together rather basic proposals. Does anyone have a solid proposal template that they use that they would be willing to share? Thanks in advance!

06-15-2009, 01:29 PM	#2
joshril Joshua Hayes War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 1,058 Thanks: 485 Thanked 244 Times in 119 Posts Social Networking	Re: Fellow Offliners... Proposals? I guess I'm the only one writing proposals...

06-15-2009, 01:41 PM	#3
LMC 520+ sites and counting War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,548 Blog Entries: 16 Thanks: 312 Thanked 1,317 Times in 302 Posts Contact Info	Re: Fellow Offliners... Proposals? josh, Honestly, our proposal is what gets us our business, it converts at 17-22% right now, and not to be a dick... but it is our gold, we start sharing that, we will eventually lose business... However, ask some specific proposal questions and i can help answer them.
	NYC is my home.

06-15-2009, 01:56 PM	#4
RockstarBen Ben Littlefield: Rockstar War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 237 Thanks: 109 Thanked 67 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Fellow Offliners... Proposals? Truth is, I treat every client like they were my only client and write custom proposals. There is a formula, however. Here it is: 1) Identify their pain. If you had a good interview/sit-down, you should know what their pain is. Hint, 95% of the time - the pain is CASH - saving cash or generating more cash! 2) Outline the steps you will take to relieve their pain. The two big ones: Lead Generation (A/R Setup); and Traffic Generation (SEO). 3) List out the benefits of your prescription - how they will generate cash and save cash at the same time... 4) VERY IMPORTANT!!! List a basic matrix of the TIME COSTS of your work. For example, A chart that shows how many hours it will take to setup an A/R, how many hours to create backlinks, blog content, etc. Overwhelm them... 5) Pricing. If you did a good job in showing how your service will solve their pain, save them time, and generate an ROI - you will sell! Also, include on the price sheet - your guarantees and mention your "referral program." I like to put - "Want your monthly maintenance for free? Ask about our referral program..." ---- We give 1 free month to our clients for every referral that converts... There you have it... Keep your eyes out, as I will soon post some offline support materials on WF... --Ben
	MY WSO OF THE DAY: "Client Getting Ninja" [OVER $2K IN 72hrs] HOTTEST WSO OF 2011: "WINNING @ PLACES" Offline PLR: "Your Client Getting Magnet"

06-15-2009, 02:30 PM	#7
RockstarBen Ben Littlefield: Rockstar War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 237 Thanks: 109 Thanked 67 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Fellow Offliners... Proposals? I agree with that. I just wanted to keep it simple and to the point. You are dead on about that. I don't even bother taking on clients when I can't project an ROI that is realistic. Also, it is not so much a timeline, as it is a projection of time savings. Business Owners' time is thin. Reminding them that they have another hat that you will wear for them is a perceived ROI. In my case, I find my time so thin that the first cost I consider is time. Any way that will allow me to save my time is a win for me. Besides, a 2-sided ROI will convert. My proposals convert over 35% of the time. Why? Because I show them 3 things: 1) How they will reduce outflows of cash. 2) How they will generate new inflows of cash. 3) How they will save time expenses that increase efficiency and productivity. Once this point is made, they will be crazy NOT to hire you!
	MY WSO OF THE DAY: "Client Getting Ninja" [OVER $2K IN 72hrs] HOTTEST WSO OF 2011: "WINNING @ PLACES" Offline PLR: "Your Client Getting Magnet"

06-15-2009, 04:54 PM	#9
Steve Peters Benn Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Leeds, United Kingdom. Posts: 3,519 Thanks: 598 Thanked 334 Times in 165 Posts Social Networking	Re: Fellow Offliners... Proposals? LMC - I do understand where you are coming from, but if I had taken the same view there would never have been my war room series, and honestly, it hasn't harmed my business one bit.

06-15-2009, 05:08 PM	#11
Barry Walls HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 408 Thanks: 18 Thanked 78 Times in 32 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Fellow Offliners... Proposals? ^^ Good man Eric.

06-15-2009, 11:48 PM	#13
joshril Joshua Hayes War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 1,058 Thanks: 485 Thanked 244 Times in 119 Posts Social Networking	Re: Fellow Offliners... Proposals? You 'da man, Eric!

06-16-2009, 08:47 AM	#14
LMC 520+ sites and counting War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,548 Blog Entries: 16 Thanks: 312 Thanked 1,317 Times in 302 Posts Contact Info	Re: Fellow Offliners... Proposals? Barry, Steve, The OP is located where a partner of mine will be setting up shop, because we are expanding at the moment... I guess I am being a bit too cautious, but rather then publicly display it, I'll PM josh...
	NYC is my home.

06-16-2009, 11:34 AM	#15
artwebster Brutal honesty's me Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Coín, Spain Posts: 1,032 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 33 Thanked 251 Times in 138 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Fellow Offliners... Proposals? My basic proposal - "My name is Arthur and I want to show you how to cut your expenses next month and probably find new cash customers" Simple, to the point, demonstrable and transparent. I just wish I was well enough to start using it again!
	You might not like what I say - but I believe it. Build it, make money, then build some more Some old school smarts would help - and here's to Rob Toth for his help. Bloody good stuff, even the freebies!