Business proposal template: copy the outline, fill in the brackets

Copy the outline below into a document or slide deck and replace every [BRACKETED] item. It suits a freelancer or small business pitching a client for a defined piece of work, and it sticks to the questions a client actually asks: what will you do, how, by when, for how much, and what happens next.

Section-by-section outline

1. Cover [YOUR NAME OR BUSINESS] proposal for [CLIENT NAME], prepared on [DATE], valid until [DATE]. Add one line naming the work: [PROJECT NAME].
2. Summary Two or three sentences: [CLIENT NAME] needs [OUTCOME]. You will deliver [MAIN DELIVERABLE] by [DATE] for [FEE]. A busy reader should be able to stop here and still understand the offer.
3. The client's situation Restate the problem or goal in the client's own words: [WHAT THEY TOLD YOU] and [WHY IT MATTERS NOW]. This shows you listened before you started selling.
4. Proposed solution Describe what you will do in plain language: [APPROACH IN THREE STEPS]. Explain why it fits [CLIENT NAME] instead of listing every task you could do.
5. Scope and deliverables List what is included: [DELIVERABLE 1], [DELIVERABLE 2], [DELIVERABLE 3], with [NUMBER] rounds of revisions. Then state what is not included: [EXCLUSIONS].
6. Timeline Give a date or duration for each phase: [PHASE] by [DATE]. Say what you need from the client and when you need it: [CLIENT INPUTS] by [DATE].
7. Fees and payment State the fee as [FIXED FEE OR RATE], the schedule as [DEPOSIT, MILESTONES, FINAL PAYMENT] and the accepted methods as [PAYMENT METHODS].
8. About you Two or three lines of relevant experience: [YEARS AND FIELD] and [TYPE OF PAST PROJECT]. Mention only work you are free to show.
9. Terms and next steps Summarise the main terms: [CANCELLATION], [OWNERSHIP OF FILES], [CONFIDENTIALITY]. Finish with one clear action: reply by [DATE] to accept and you will send [CONTRACT OR INVOICE].

Worked example (invented, for illustration)

Alex, a freelance copywriter, is pitching a bakery that wants a new website text. The summary reads: Rosa's Bakery needs clear website copy before the autumn menu launches. Alex will deliver text for five pages by 14 October for [FEE].

The situation section says: you told me visitors call to ask opening hours and cannot find the cake order form. The solution section names three steps: a short call, a first draft, one revision round. Scope lists five pages and one revision round; photography and translation are listed as not included.

The last section asks for one action: reply by 30 September to accept, and Alex sends the agreement the same day.

Checklist before you send

Every [BRACKET] has been replaced, including the ones in the footer and file name.
The client's name is spelled correctly everywhere.
The summary matches the scope, timeline and fee further down.
Exclusions are written down, not implied.
Dates are real and you can meet them.
The proposal says how long the offer stays open.
There is exactly one next step for the client.
You read it once aloud to catch long sentences.
You saved it as a PDF with a clear file name.

Keep the finished document to a few pages. If the work is large, move detail into an appendix and keep the nine sections short.

Proposal decks by profession

If you would rather start from a finished 12-slide deck written for your trade, see these:

Back to all proposal templates

Template only, not legal, tax or professional advice.