If sales proposals make your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone. Most templates out there are either way too complicated or stuffed with filler that doesn’t help anyone win new business. If you’re looking to actually land deals—not just go through the motions—this guide is for you. We’ll walk through how to set up a sales proposal template in Proposable that’s straightforward, reusable, and doesn’t waste your time or your prospect’s.
Let’s get right into it.
Step 1: Get Clear on What Actually Wins Deals
Before you even log in to Proposable, take 10 minutes and jot down what really works in your proposals. (Be honest—nobody’s grading this.) A winning template isn’t about cramming in every feature or paragraph your company ever wrote. It’s about cutting the fluff and focusing on what helps your prospect say “yes.”
Ask yourself: - What questions do prospects always have? - Where do deals stall? (Is it price? Scope? Trust?) - What’s actually unique about your offer? - What objections come up again and again?
Pro Tip:
Don’t be afraid to delete sections. Most proposals are too long. Shorter, clearer, and more direct proposals almost always perform better.
Step 2: Start with Proposable’s Templates (But Don’t Copy Them Blindly)
Fire up Proposable and check out their built-in templates. They’re a decent starting point, but don’t assume they’re perfect for your business. Most default templates are generic—meant to please everyone, which means they’re built for nobody.
Here’s the move: - Pick the closest template to your industry or service. - Strip out anything that doesn’t apply. - Rewrite sections in your own words. If you wouldn’t say it out loud to a client, don’t put it in the proposal.
What to ignore:
Stock images, cheesy testimonials, or “About Us” sections that drone on forever. People want to know what you can do for them—not your company’s life story.
Step 3: Build the Core Sections—Keep It Simple
The best proposals have a handful of sections. Here are the ones that actually matter:
1. Introduction/Executive Summary
Keep it short. One or two paragraphs, max. This is where you show you understand the prospect’s problem and what you’re offering. No buzzwords.
Example:
"You need a way to increase online sales without spending more on ads. Here’s how we’ll help you hit those numbers, step by step."
2. Scope of Work / Solution
Spell out exactly what you’ll do. Bullet points work great. Avoid vague promises—clarity beats hype.
Good: - Set up new email automation flows - Redesign checkout process - Weekly progress calls
Bad: - “Leverage best-in-class solutions to drive synergy” (Don’t do this. Ever.)
3. Timeline
Simple, realistic, and honest. If you’re not sure, give ranges—but don’t promise the moon.
Example: - Kickoff: Within 5 business days of approval - Phase 1: Weeks 1–3 – Email automation setup - Phase 2: Weeks 4–5 – Checkout redesign
4. Pricing / Investment
Be clear as day. If you hide fees, people notice. If you’re not the cheapest, explain why (in one line, not an essay).
Example:
“Total project cost: $7,500 (includes all design, setup, and training)”
5. Next Steps / Call to Action
Tell them what to do if they want to move forward. A button, a signature field, or a simple “Reply to this email” is fine—just don’t leave them guessing.
Step 4: Use Proposable’s Modular Content (But Don’t Get Carried Away)
One of Proposable’s real strengths is its “content blocks.” These let you reuse sections (like bios, case studies, or FAQs) across different proposals.
How to use this without getting overwhelmed: - Make a handful of blocks you’ll actually reuse (team bios, portfolio, standard terms). - Avoid turning your proposal into a Frankenstein’s monster of every block you’ve ever made. - Update these blocks regularly—or delete them if nobody reads them.
Pro Tip:
If prospects never comment on your “Meet the Team” block, it’s probably not needed. Focus on what moves the deal forward.
Step 5: Add E-Signature and Tracking (and Actually Use the Insights)
Digital signatures are nice, but the real value is knowing when someone opens your proposal or spends a lot of time on pricing. Proposable will show you this, but don’t obsess over every notification.
What works: - If you see someone re-reading pricing, that’s a cue to follow up and clarify. - If a proposal sits unopened for days, check if you sent it to the right person.
What doesn’t: - Don’t flood your prospect with “just checking in” emails every time they open the proposal. - Don’t rely on analytics alone—sometimes people are just busy.
Step 6: Polish Your Template (But Don’t Aim for Perfection)
It’s tempting to keep tweaking your proposal until it’s “perfect.” Don’t. Get a draft out the door and see how real prospects respond. Fix only what’s broken.
Checklist before you hit save: - Is it readable on both desktop and mobile? - Are numbers and deliverables clear? - Did you delete every bit of jargon or filler? - Is the call to action obvious?
Pro Tip:
Show your template to someone outside your team. If they can’t skim it and “get it” in 2 minutes, it’s too long.
Step 7: Save as a Template and Test It in the Real World
In Proposable, save your work as a template so you (and your team) can reuse it. This cuts down on busywork and keeps your proposals consistent.
A few things to remember: - Create versions for different types of deals (don’t try to cram everything into one template). - Make it easy for anyone on your team to personalize—leave placeholders or notes where needed. - Review your template every few months. Sales and services shift—don’t let your template get stale.
What to Skip: Fancy Stuff That Doesn’t Help You Sell
You’ll see options for video intros, interactive pricing, and all sorts of bells and whistles. These can help in specific industries, but most of the time, they’re just distractions. If you’re not sure it’ll help you close, leave it out.
- Video intros: Only use if your prospects expect them. Otherwise, it’s just more work.
- Interactive pricing: Good for complex deals, but can confuse simple ones.
- Design flourishes: Clean and simple almost always beats flashy.
Keep It Simple, Ship It, Then Iterate
Don’t let perfect be the enemy of done. The best sales proposal template is the one you actually send. Start with the basics, see what works, and tweak as you go. Most clients just want to know what they’re getting, what it costs, and how to say yes.
So get your template built in Proposable, keep it short, and get it in front of real prospects. That’s how real deals get won.