Here is a quick way to see if you’re in with a chance of winning the deal. Examine the current draft of your graphic design proposal with this 9-Step graphic design proposal checklist

Ready to explore the checklist one by one?

Let’s go.

1. Addressing customers core pain points

The art of proposal writing is understanding the challenges your prospective customers are facing. It can help you not only retain the current customers but also opens the door for new customers.

Did I:

• Learn a few key things about the prospective client and his/her business before drafting a proposal?
• Understand the specific problem the prospective client is currently experiencing?
• Prioritize the prospective client’s needs?
• Start the graphic design proposal template by highlighting the benefits client can get with our graphic design services?

2. Teaser of your solution to their pain points

Now it’s time to fill in the details about your approach. But make sure the details are only about the approach and not about the solution.

Did I:

• Filled in the details about the approach to solving the issue?
• Make sure the details are only about the approach and not about the solution
• Define how we plan to meet the objective?
• Give the prospect a rough sketch about the method you will use for the execution (In just 2-3 lines)?

3. Promote your expertise

Well, keep in mind that this is the section where you have to convey the feeling that you are the expert to all who read the proposal.

Did I:

• Showcase our company’s experience, skillset, and most importantly our value to the prospective client’s organization?
• Differentiate our process and graphic design services from the competition in the industry?
• Include customer testimonials, achievements, or any related awards to win the prospect’s attention right away?

4. Statement of work or scope of services

According to Wikipedia:

“A Statement of Work (SOW) is a document routinely employed in the field of graphic design. It defines project-specific graphic design activities, deliverables, and timelines for a vendor providing services to the client. ”

But I personally think about a statement of work like this:

A kickass version of your graphic design proposal that actually describes the work to be done and the process involved in completing that work.

Did I include:

• Introduction- Type of work whether a service or a product?
• Purpose- Why the work being done?
• Scope of work- Steps that need to be taken to complete the work.
• Deliverables and timeline- List of deliverables and timeline for each deliverable.
• Acceptance criteria and signatures- Acceptance criteria are enclosed with terms of service and agreeing upon it before the project avoids a lot of misunderstanding in the future.

5. Include a realistic timeline along with a list of deliverables

Now, this is where you go into detail about the project timeline. It can be tricky to estimate the timeline.

Did I:

• Include an estimated timeline to deliver the solution?
• Explain the scope of work the prospect can expect from our company?
• Describe what the company will do and the time frame for delivery or completion of key items?

Explore the steps for creating a winning graphic design proposal

6. Include a responsive pricing table

You have done your homework and offered an ideal solution to his organization. Here come’s a tricky part i.e “pricing”

Did I:

• Include a captivating title for the pricing table?
• Layout the cost with clear and easy-to-understand pricing options for the solution?
• Highlight the popular choices of services at the top?
• Optimize the pricing table as per the prospect’s needs?

7. Details about roles and responsibilities

Your team impression matters. So here’s the chance to let your team shine. Every prospect wants an easy buying experience and this section plays a very important role in that.

Did I answer the following questions:

• Who are the key players? Their experiences, educational backgrounds, and skills.
• Do your key players have industry experience? If not what experience do they have that’s helpful for graphic design?
• What duties will each player perform? What authority and responsibilities are given to each player?

8. Include case studies

Consciously or subconsciously every buyer is waiting for this section to come. Customer references are one of the most important confidence signals you can use on your proposal.

In the graphic design proposal did I include:

• Recommendations from clients our company helped in the past?
• The positive customer references that will help prospects understand what they would benefit if they hire you?

9. Include an e-signature

Being successful implies keeping up with the trends. Innovations are meant for making various processes easier, saving time, boosting efficiency. These very same goals any business strives to achieve it to rank high in the business competition.

So to make the best use of digital transformation and develop a proposal that quickly closes the deal.

Did I include

• E-signature in the graphic design proposal?

Wrapping up:

This checklist will help you stay focused. Every time you schedule a sales call run through the list beforehand and make sure you are all prepared.

You know, most of this checklist can be easily ticked once you start to use the right graphic design proposal template (it ensures that no mistakes are made

Good luck!