How to write a freelance proposal that wins (with a template)

Clients rarely read a whole proposal. They read the first two lines, glance at your sample and look at the price. A winning proposal is built for that way of reading: short, specific and about the client, not about you.

The five parts of a winning proposal

1. Their problem, in your words. One sentence that shows you read the brief.

2. How you will solve it. Two or three steps, in plain language.

3. Proof. One or two pieces of similar work, linked.

4. Price and timeline. Clear numbers, split into milestones if the project is big.

5. One smart question. Something only a person who read the brief would ask.

A template you can adapt

"Hi, you need a menu and poster set for your new café in Pokhara, ready before opening day."

"I would do it in three steps: two design directions for you to choose from, then the full menu, then the posters in print-ready files."

"Here is a menu I designed for a restaurant last month: [your link]."

"Price: NPR [amount], in two milestones (designs, then final files). Delivery: 5 days."

"One question: will the menu be printed, shown on screens, or both?"

Change every bracket and every detail. A template that reads like a template loses.

Answer the screening questions properly

Some clients add screening questions to their project, and you answer them when you send your proposal. Treat them as the most important part: clients often read the answers before anything else.

Mistakes that get proposals ignored

• Starting with "Dear Sir/Madam, I am a hardworking and passionate…"

• Copying the same text into every proposal.

• Listing every skill you have instead of the one they need.

• No sample, or a sample from a completely different field.

• A price with no explanation of what is included.

If a proposal is declined

On Alwass the client picks a reason from a fixed list, and you see it on your proposal together with similar projects to try. Read the reasons over time. If "price" keeps coming up, look at your packages; if "not the right experience" does, adjust which projects you bid on.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a freelance proposal be?

Short. Five parts, a few sentences each. Most clients decide from the first two lines and your sample.

Should I lower my price to win my first project?

A little, perhaps, but a specific proposal with a relevant sample wins more often than a cheap one.

How many proposals should I send?

Enough good ones to keep a steady flow, but never so many that you stop reading the briefs. Bidding on Alwass is free and unlimited.

Why was my proposal declined?

On Alwass you see the reason the client chose from a fixed list, with similar projects to try.

Start freelancing on Alwass

Create your free account, switch your profile to freelance, and add your skills, a portfolio and up to three service packages. Then browse the freelance marketplace and send proposals. Bidding is free and there is no limit on how many projects you can bid for.