If you’re sending proposals and waiting for a response, it’s easy to wonder: did they even look at it? Did they lose interest? Are they ghosting you? Tracking proposal engagement isn’t just about curiosity—it helps you follow up at the right time and close more deals. This guide covers how to use Bidsketch to get those answers, what actually matters in the metrics, and how to avoid wasting time on meaningless stats.
Who should read this
- Freelancers, agencies, and small businesses using Bidsketch
- Anyone who wants to tighten up their proposal follow-up process
- Folks tired of sending proposals into a black hole
Why tracking proposal views matters (and what doesn’t)
Let’s get this out of the way: knowing someone opened your proposal doesn’t guarantee they’ll sign. But it does give you a window into their interest and timing. Instead of blasting generic “Just following up!” emails, you can:
- Follow up right after a client views your proposal (when you’re top of mind)
- Prioritize leads who are actively reviewing vs. those who ghosted you
- Spot lukewarm prospects early—if nobody even opens your proposals, it’s not a good sign
What doesn’t matter? Obsessing over minor details, like if someone opened your proposal three times in one hour. That could mean genuine interest—or that they left the tab open and forgot. The goal is to spot real engagement, not overanalyze every click.
Step 1: Send proposals through Bidsketch (not as PDFs)
To get any tracking data, you have to use Bidsketch’s built-in delivery. Don’t just export a PDF and email it—that’s a black hole for analytics.
How to do it:
- Create your proposal in Bidsketch as usual.
- When you’re ready to send, choose “Send Proposal” instead of “Export as PDF.”
- Enter your client’s email and customize your message if you want.
Pro tip:
If your client insists on a PDF for their records, send the tracked link first. After they’ve accepted or reviewed, then send the PDF. Otherwise, you lose all visibility.
Step 2: Understand what Bidsketch actually tracks
Bidsketch tracks a handful of useful engagement metrics—don’t expect it to read your client’s mind or provide heatmaps. Here’s what you get:
- Proposal viewed: You’ll see exactly when someone opens your proposal link.
- How many times it was viewed: Each open gets logged.
- Who viewed it: If you sent it to multiple people, you’ll see who checked it out (as long as they access it from their unique link).
- Sections viewed: Which parts of your proposal the client looked at.
- Proposal accepted: The big one—when they click “Accept,” you’ll get notified.
What Bidsketch doesn’t do:
- Track how long someone spent reading each page
- Tell you if they forwarded the proposal to someone else (unless they use that person’s link)
- Read your client’s mind or predict the close rate
Step 3: Check your proposal’s engagement data
Once you’ve sent your proposal, here’s how to see what’s happening:
- Go to your Bidsketch dashboard.
- Find your proposal in the list.
- Click on the proposal title to open the details.
- Look for the “Activity” or “Views” section. Here you’ll see:
- The date/time each recipient opened it
- How many times they opened it
- Which sections they viewed (if available)
Heads up:
If your client forwards their unique link (instead of requesting their own), all views will show under that original recipient’s name. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough for most follow-ups.
Step 4: Interpret the data—what actually matters
Don’t let the numbers make you anxious. Here’s what to pay attention to:
- Proposal was viewed: Great! Now’s a smart time for a brief, relevant follow-up. “Saw you checked out the proposal—any questions?”
- Multiple views over several days: This usually means your prospect is considering, showing it to colleagues, or comparing you with others. Be patient, but consider a gentle nudge if it drags on.
- No views after a few days: Either your email landed in spam or they’ve lost interest. A quick “Just checking if you got this” is reasonable.
- Viewed and accepted quickly: Congratulations! Don’t overthink it—move forward.
What to ignore:
- Tiny fluctuations in view counts (sometimes people reload by accident)
- The exact time of day someone viewed (not useful)
- Obsessing over every action—use this data to guide your next step, not as a crystal ball
Step 5: Use engagement data to time your follow-ups
Here’s where tracking really pays off. Some practical strategies:
-
Follow up after the first view:
“Saw you checked out the proposal—let me know if anything’s unclear or if you want to jump on a quick call.” -
If you see repeated views with no action:
“I noticed you’ve had a chance to review the proposal a few times. Is there anything holding you back? Happy to chat through any concerns.” -
If it’s never viewed:
“Just wanted to make sure my proposal made it to your inbox—sometimes these links get filtered out.” -
After acceptance:
“Thanks for accepting! I’ll send over next steps.”
Don’t spam your prospects.
One thoughtful, well-timed follow-up beats three generic ones. Use the view data to strike while the iron’s hot, but don’t turn into a pest.
Step 6: Set up notifications so you don’t have to check obsessively
Bidsketch lets you get email alerts when your proposal is viewed or accepted. Turn these on so you can respond quickly—without living in your dashboard.
- Go to your account settings or proposal settings
- Enable email notifications for views and acceptances
Warning:
If you’re sending a lot of proposals, you might get a flood of emails. Adjust your settings, or use inbox rules to keep things manageable.
Step 7: Don’t get distracted by vanity metrics
Bidsketch’s tracking is helpful, but don’t let it become a distraction. Here’s what not to do:
- Don’t make assumptions about intent. Someone might open your proposal a bunch of times and still ghost you.
- Don’t chase every cold lead. If someone never views your proposal or stops responding, move on. Your time is better spent elsewhere.
- Don’t treat every view as a sure thing. Engagement is a green flag, not a guarantee.
Keep using your judgment. The numbers are a tool, not the whole story.
Pro tips for better follow-up (without being annoying)
- Customize your follow-ups. Reference something specific from your proposal or their business. Don’t just copy-paste.
- Keep it brief. Long emails after a viewed proposal feel like homework.
- Know when to walk away. If someone hasn’t viewed or responded after two nudges, let it go.
- Update your proposal if needed. If a client keeps viewing but doesn’t act, maybe your offer needs tweaking.
What about integrations and automation?
Bidsketch has limited integrations compared to some bigger platforms. If you want to push proposal events into a CRM or Slack, you’ll need to use Zapier or similar tools.
- Check if your Bidsketch plan supports Zapier integration.
- Set up Zaps to trigger on proposal views or acceptances.
- Don’t overdo it: automate alerts that actually help your workflow—don’t just create noise.
The bottom line: Simple is effective
Use Bidsketch’s tracking to get clarity, not anxiety. Send proposals through the platform, keep an eye on basic engagement, and time your follow-ups accordingly. Don’t chase every micro-metric or try to read tea leaves—focus on real actions and conversations.
Most importantly, iterate. If something works, double down. If tracking isn’t helping, simplify your process. The goal is to close deals, not to become a full-time engagement analyst.
Now, go send those proposals—and actually know what happens next.