Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission when you use my coupon code/link to any products or services from this website. I care about integrity, so you should know I only offer affiliate links for resources/programs I’ve personally used and loved in my business and my clients’ businesses. Please only buy what you need, but rest assured knowing your support helps keep this content flowing!
You just had a killer consult. The vibe is right, the client is excited, and they’re ready to book. Now it’s go time—but you don’t have an hour to mess with a proposal. Good news: with the right system in place, you can send off a custom, professional proposal in five minutes or less. Yes, really.
If your proposal process is still eating up your time, it’s time to streamline. Here’s how to cut the chaos and wow your leads fast—without compromising quality.
1. Start with a Strong Template
Templates are your secret weapon for streamlined client communication. Let’s kill the myth that “custom” means starting from scratch. A smart proposal starts with a solid base.
Create a master proposal template for your most-booked services, then tweak the details for each client.
For Example:
- Florists: Include bouquets, centerpieces, and add-ons
- Planners: Preload timelines, vendor support, and day-of coordination
- Photographers: Base packages for hours, galleries, and album options
Rebel Tip: Use a CRM like HoneyBook, Dubsado, or Aisle Planner to create reusable templates that look polished and save you hours.
2. Pre-Set Your Baseline Pricing
Don’t waste time recalculating pricing every time. Create price ranges and minimums you can pull from instantly.
When possible, share price ranges upfront to manage expectations. For instance:
- “Clients typically spend $X–$Y for events with up to 100 guests.”
- “Our base package starts at $X and can be customized based on your needs.”
This keeps you in control, builds trust, and eliminates back-and-forth pricing convos.
Want a little more on pricing? Check out our blog post: Decoding the Pricing Puzzle
3. Combine the Proposal + Contract
Don’t send clients on a scavenger hunt for signatures. Use a seamless system to include a digital agreement directly within the proposal.
One doc. One click. One seamless experience.
All three of these CRMs let you do it effortlessly:
That means clients can review, sign, and say YES all in one place, without delays.
Check out these blog posts for more resources on proposals & contracts:
→ The Must-Have Contracts Every Small Business Owner Needs
→ The Components of a Rock-Solid Business Proposal
4. Make Paying Easy
Does the client know how much to pay? When to pay? And how to pay? Want to get paid faster? Remove the guesswork.
Tell them exactly the who, what, where, and when in this process so there’s no extra red tape for a simple yes. Your proposal should tell your client:
✔️ Exactly how much to pay
✔️ How to pay it
✔️ When it’s due
What to include:
- Automated invoice linked directly to the proposal
- Clear payment options (credit card, ACH, etc.)
- Deposit terms and due dates
When you simplify the payment process, you speed up bookings and look pro doing it.
5. Test It and Refine
Your proposal should be crystal clear—no extra clicks, confusing steps, or “what do I do now?”
Once your template is ready, test it out. Send it to a non-industry friend and ask: Does this make sense? Is it easy to follow? Would you know what to do next?
What to look for:
❌ Formatting or layout issues that could cause confusion
❌ Booking steps that could be simplified
❌ Copy that could be clearer or more aligned with your brand
❌ Opportunities to add automation or streamline with tools
The smoother the experience, the faster your client will say yes, and the more pro your process will feel.
Ready to send off a dreamy, done-in-minutes proposal that gets a YES?
→ See What Systems We Build
→ Grab the CRM Success Checklist to get started today
Pin this for later ↓
