You’ve had a great conversation with a potential client, they appeared really interested in what you do and were all up for moving forward with you. However, now you’re stuck. Should you send them a proposal or not?
The answer depends on the situation. There are several key factors to consider before deciding to send out a proposal. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. Is it clear what services you will provide and at what cost? If the answers to these questions are still a little vague, then it might be worth waiting until you have a better understanding of the project and its scope before sending out your proposal.
2. How well do you know this prospect? If you’ve just had an initial chat with them and haven’t built up any kind of relationship yet, it might be best to wait before sending a proposal. On the other hand, if you have established some trust and rapport then you’re more likely to get a favourable response if you send out a proposal.
3. Do they need your services right away? If they’re in a hurry and require your services as soon as possible, then a proposal is definitely worth sending. On the other hand, if they’re in no rush then it might not be necessary to send a formal document outlining your services and the associated cost.
There are various schools of thought on this one. I know companies who never send proposals and never follow up.
Our preferred option is to send a proposal and follow up. I think it’s important that the potential client knows what they’re signing up for and everything is agreed upon in writing. Also, if you don’t follow up with them, you’re potentially leaving money on the table if all they needed from you was a nudge to get started.
In the end, it’s up to you. Each client or project is different and will require a slightly different approach. Make sure you consider all of the factors before deciding whether or not to send out a proposal.
Good luck!
