# Consulting Proposal Template > Creates reusable consulting proposal templates with customizable sections for different engagement types. - Skill: `reaperinvest/consulting-proposal-template` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/consulting-proposal-template` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/consulting-proposal-template/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/consulting-proposal-template --- # Consulting Proposal Template ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Build a reusable proposal template for consulting engagements - Create customizable sections for different project types and client sizes - Write persuasive proposal copy that closes deals - Structure pricing, timelines, and deliverables professionally **DO NOT** use this skill for RFP responses, grant applications, or internal business cases. This is for independent consultants and small firms pitching client work. --- ## Core Principle A WINNING PROPOSAL PROVES YOU UNDERSTAND THE CLIENT'S PROBLEM BETTER THAN THEY DO — THEN PRESENTS YOUR SOLUTION AS THE OBVIOUS PATH FORWARD. --- ## Phase 1: Proposal Inputs ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Consulting specialty** | "What type of consulting do you do?" | No default — must be provided | | **Typical engagement** | "Describe a common engagement — scope, duration, deliverables." | No default — must be provided | | **Pricing model** | "How do you price — project, retainer, hourly, value-based?" | Project-based | | **Win rate goal** | "What percentage of proposals do you want to close?" | 40-50% | | **Client type** | "Who are your typical clients?" | Small to mid-size businesses | **GATE: Confirm consulting type and engagement pattern before building the template.** --- ## Phase 2: Proposal Structure ### Proposal Template ``` ## [Your Company Name] ### Proposal for [Client Name] **Prepared by:** [Your name] **Date:** [Date] **Valid until:** [Date + 30 days] --- ### 1. UNDERSTANDING YOUR SITUATION [Restate the client's problem in your own words. Show that you listened. Reference specific details from your discovery conversation. This section should make the client think "they really get it."] **Key challenges we identified:** - [Challenge 1 — with specific detail from your conversation] - [Challenge 2] - [Challenge 3] **What this is costing you:** [Quantify the impact — lost revenue, wasted time, missed opportunities] ### 2. RECOMMENDED APPROACH [Describe your solution at a strategic level. Explain your methodology and why it works. Connect your approach to their specific situation.] **Our approach: [Framework/Methodology Name]** Phase 1: [Name] — [What happens and why] Phase 2: [Name] — [What happens and why] Phase 3: [Name] — [What happens and why] ### 3. DELIVERABLES | Deliverable | Description | Timeline | |------------|-------------|----------| | [Deliverable 1] | [Specific description] | Week [X] | | [Deliverable 2] | [Specific description] | Week [X] | | [Deliverable 3] | [Specific description] | Week [X] | ### 4. INVESTMENT **Option A: [Engagement Name]** — $[amount] [What is included — deliverables and support] **Option B: [Engagement Name]** — $[amount] [What is included — more comprehensive option] **Payment terms:** [50% upfront, 50% on completion / monthly / milestone-based] ### 5. TIMELINE [Visual or table showing the project phases mapped to calendar weeks] ### 6. ABOUT [YOUR COMPANY] [2-3 sentences about your firm. Focus on relevant experience and results, not your origin story.] **Relevant results:** - [Client result 1 with metrics] - [Client result 2 with metrics] ### 7. NEXT STEPS To move forward: 1. Review this proposal and share any questions 2. Sign the attached agreement 3. Submit initial payment 4. Schedule our kickoff call for [suggested date] **This proposal is valid until [date].** ``` --- ## Phase 3: Customization Guide ### Sections to Customize Per Client | Section | What Changes | What Stays | |---------|-------------|------------| | Understanding | Client-specific problems and language | Overall structure and flow | | Approach | Applied to their specific situation | Your methodology framework | | Deliverables | Specifics and timeline | Format and categories | | Investment | Pricing based on scope | Tiered options structure | | About | Relevant case studies selected | Company description | ### Pricing Options Framework Always present 2-3 options: - **Option 1 (Core):** Solves the primary problem. Most clients choose this. - **Option 2 (Comprehensive):** Solves the primary problem plus related issues. 30-50% higher than Option 1. - **Option 3 (Premium/Retainer):** Comprehensive plus ongoing support. For clients who want a partner, not a project. --- ## Phase 4: Proposal Delivery ### Delivery Checklist - [ ] Client's name, company, and problem details are correct - [ ] Deliverables are specific and measurable - [ ] Pricing is clear with payment terms stated - [ ] Timeline is realistic and aligns with client expectations - [ ] At least one relevant case study or result is included - [ ] Proposal has a clear expiration date - [ ] Next steps are explicit — what the client does to say yes - [ ] Document is professionally formatted (PDF preferred) ### Follow-Up Sequence - **Day 0:** Send proposal with a brief email summarizing the recommendation - **Day 3:** Follow up to ask if they have questions - **Day 7:** Offer a brief call to walk through the proposal - **Day 14:** Final follow-up before expiration date - **Day 30+:** If no response, close the loop with a "staying in touch" email --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Leading with your bio** — the client does not care about your story until they know you understand their problem. Lead with their situation. - **One option only** — a single price is a take-it-or-leave-it decision. Multiple options increase close rates. - **Vague deliverables** — "strategic consulting services" is not a deliverable. Name specific outputs with due dates. - **No expiration date** — proposals without deadlines get deprioritized. Create gentle urgency. - **Sending without a walkthrough offer** — proposals that are only read (not presented) close at lower rates. --- ## Recovery - **Client ghosts after receiving proposal:** Follow up twice, then send a "closing the file" email. This often prompts a response. - **Client says it is too expensive:** Ask which outcome is most important to them and offer a reduced-scope option that addresses it. - **Client wants to negotiate:** Know your floor rate before the conversation. Adjust scope, not rate. - **Low close rate:** Review whether your proposals lead with the client's problem or your services. Rewrite the opening section. - **Proposal takes too long to create:** Templatize everything except the "Understanding" section and deliverables specifics.