You followed up once. Twice. Maybe even a third time with a casual "just circling back!"
Nothing.
Meanwhile, you're watching the client's Instagram stories—they're posting about their “exciting new announcement” as they tag another design studio they hired. A pit forms in your stomach. Why did they go with someone else?
Here's what actually happened: That designer they hired? Their proposal laid out the transformation this service would provide for the client (like upping their conversion rate) and made the investment feel like a no-brainer. Your proposal, on the other hand, looked like you threw it together from your couch between Netflix episodes. It read like a to-do list, not a transformation or a business investment that would take your client to their end goal.
Your proposal probably led with "About Me" instead of their problems. Listed “logo suite, color palette, typography” without explaining the value these assets would provide for them. Had zero social proof showing you've done this before (so they wondered “is she as established as she said she was?”). Made your process sound like a laundry list of tasks for the client (who doesn't even have time to clock out for lunch, let alone add to their plate). Left them thinking "okay but why should I pay HER $3,000 instead of that other designer with the bigger following on Insta?
Professional proposals don't just list what you're going to do. They paint a picture of what the client's business will look like after working with you. They handle objections before the client even thinks of them. They make the decision feel obvious.
And here's the thing: you don't have to figure this out alone.
I've got a special surprise for you dropping next week that's going to fix this (and every other template-related headache in your business).
