Looking to close more deals without getting lost in clunky proposal tools? If you’re using Clientpoint or thinking about it, this is for you. I’ll walk you through building a client proposal from scratch, share what’s actually useful, and call out what you can skip. Whether you’re in sales, consulting, or just tired of wrestling with Word docs, you’ll get a step-by-step path that works in the real world.
Before You Start: What You Need
Don’t dive in empty-handed. You’ll need:
- Your login to Clientpoint (obvious, but double check)
- The client’s info: company name, contact, and what you’re pitching
- Any assets: pricing sheets, case studies, images, logos
- A clear offer (if you’re still working that out, proposals won’t fix it)
Pro Tip: Clientpoint can store reusable templates and content snippets. If you’re sending similar proposals over and over, set these up first—it’ll save you hours in the long run.
Step 1: Log In and Get Your Bearings
After logging in, you’ll land on the Clientpoint dashboard. The UI isn’t flashy, but it’s straightforward. Don’t get distracted by the widgets and metrics unless you really need them. Focus on the “Proposals” section (sometimes called “ClientPoints” in the menu—yeah, it’s a bit confusing).
Look for a button that says Create New Proposal or just + New. Click it.
Heads up: If your company uses locked-down templates, you might not see this option. In that case, you’ll need to duplicate an existing template or ask your admin for access.
Step 2: Pick a Template (Or Start From Scratch)
You’ll now be asked to choose a template. Here’s how to decide:
- Use a template if you send similar proposals to multiple clients. It’ll save you time and keep things consistent.
- Start blank if this is a one-off or the templates are too generic.
Most companies have a “default” template. Don’t assume it’s good—open it and check. A lot of templates are bloated with filler. Delete what you don’t need.
What works: Templates with clear sections (intro, pricing, deliverables, terms). What to ignore: Fancy cover pages and “about us” fluff unless the client actually cares.
Step 3: Fill in Client Info
This is where mistakes creep in, so double-check everything:
- Client organization: Make sure the company name is spelled right.
- Contact person: Name, email, title. Get it straight—this is who’ll get the proposal.
- Internal notes: If you’re collaborating, jot down deal context (optional).
If you’ve connected Clientpoint to your CRM, you can often pull this info in automatically. That’s handy, but also a source of embarrassing errors (wrong contact, outdated email). Trust, but verify.
Step 4: Build the Proposal Sections
Here’s where you actually craft something worth sending. Typical sections:
- Introduction: Brief, direct, and tailored. Skip the generic “thank you for the opportunity” unless you mean it.
- Project Overview or Solution: Spell out what you’re doing, why, and the business value. One page, tops.
- Scope of Work/Deliverables: List what’s included (and what’s not, if you want to avoid scope creep).
- Pricing: Be clear. Tables work better than paragraphs. If you do discounts or options, break them out.
- Timeline: Be realistic, not optimistic. Clients remember this part.
- Terms and Conditions: Use your legal team’s boilerplate, but don’t bury the client in legalese.
- Call to Action/Next Steps: Make it obvious what the client should do—sign, approve, book a call, whatever.
Adding Content in Clientpoint: - You can drag-and-drop sections in most plans. - Paste or upload images, PDFs, and videos if it helps tell your story. Don’t overdo it—busy clients skim. - Use “merge fields” for things like client names, dates, and prices if you want to automate.
Pro Tip: Preview each section as you go. Formatting sometimes breaks, especially if you’re copying from Word or Google Docs.
Step 5: Personalize and Double-Check
This is where a lot of proposals fall down. Don’t trust templates or auto-filled fields to get it right—read it as if you’re the client.
- Is the client’s name correct everywhere?
- Are there leftover placeholders like [Insert Name Here]?
- Is the pricing accurate?
- Do all links and attachments work?
If you’re using team collaboration features, now’s the time to @mention colleagues for review or approval. Don’t skip peer review if the deal is big—fresh eyes catch dumb mistakes.
Step 6: Attach Supporting Materials (If Needed)
A short, clear proposal beats a bloated one, but sometimes you need to include:
- Case studies
- Detailed specs or SOWs
- Product sheets
- Legal docs
Clientpoint lets you attach files, link to shared docs, or even embed videos. Just don’t go nuts—clients ignore giant appendices.
What works: One or two strong, relevant extras. What to ignore: The entire marketing brochure library.
Step 7: Set Up E-Signature and Tracking
One of Clientpoint’s strengths is built-in e-signature, so you don’t need DocuSign or HelloSign. Here’s how to use it:
- Add signature blocks where needed (client, your team, both).
- Assign the right people to each block.
- Double-check email addresses—otherwise, signatures get lost in the void.
Enable tracking so you’ll know when the client opens the proposal, which pages they read, and whether they forward it. Don’t obsess over these stats, but it’s handy to see if your proposal is getting any traction.
Step 8: Send the Proposal
You can send the proposal directly from Clientpoint. The email template is…bland. Edit the subject line and message so it sounds like you, not a robot.
- Be clear about what’s attached and what the client should do next.
- If it’s urgent or time-sensitive, say so politely.
- Send a test to yourself first—sometimes formatting looks different in email.
Alternative: If your client is old-school, you can export the proposal as a PDF and send it manually. But you lose tracking and e-signature.
Step 9: Follow Up (Don’t Just Wait)
Clientpoint will notify you when the proposal’s opened. Here’s what to do:
- If opened but not signed in a day or two, follow up with a quick, real message.
- If stuck in “unopened” limbo, double-check the email or give the client a nudge.
- Don’t hound people, but don’t assume “no news” means “all good.”
You can automate reminders, but automated nags are annoying. Use them sparingly.
Step 10: Track, Iterate, and Reuse What Works
After the proposal’s signed (or not), take a minute to review:
- What got fast responses?
- Where did clients ask questions or get confused?
- Which sections did they skip entirely?
Clientpoint has reporting, but it’s basic. The real value is in learning which proposals close and which get ignored—then tweaking your templates accordingly.
Pro Tip: Save winning proposals as new templates. Archive the duds.
Real Talk: What’s Actually Useful in Clientpoint
- Templates and merge fields: Huge time-savers if set up well.
- E-signature and tracking: Nice to have, but don’t make or break a deal.
- Collaboration: Useful for teams, but overkill if you’re solo.
- Design tools: Serviceable, but don’t expect to dazzle anyone. Focus on clarity.
What to skip: Endless customization. Most clients want clear, accurate info fast—not a design award.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Don’t get bogged down making every proposal “perfect.” Use Clientpoint to speed up the boring parts, keep your proposals clear and honest, and tweak as you learn what works. The best proposals are the ones that get signed—not the prettiest ones in your folder.