If you run a small business, you know proposals are make-or-break. A generic, ugly PDF isn’t going to win over clients who are comparing you to a dozen other options. But you’re also not trying to spend hours designing something every time you want to send a quote. This guide is for business owners who want to make branded proposals that actually get noticed—and do it efficiently inside Honeybook.
Let’s skip the fluff and get into exactly how you can set up, brand, and send out proposals in Honeybook that look sharp and help you book more work. I’ll call out what actually matters, what’s not worth your time, and where you can skip steps if you’re in a hurry.
Why use Honeybook for proposals?
First things first: Why bother with Honeybook for proposals at all? Here’s the honest take:
What’s good: - It combines proposals, contracts, and invoices in one workflow. No more juggling a dozen tools. - You can set up branded templates once, then re-use them. - Clients can review, sign, and pay all in one go—less friction, fewer lost deals.
What’s not so great: - The design options are good, but not infinite. If you want super-custom layouts, you’ll hit a ceiling. - Honeybook isn’t free. If you’re just sending the occasional proposal, it might feel like overkill.
If you send more than a couple proposals per month, or you want to look more polished than the next freelancer, it’s worth a shot.
Step 1: Get your brand assets ready
Before you even open Honeybook, spend 10 minutes gathering your branding basics. You’ll thank yourself later.
What you need: - Your logo (PNG or SVG with a transparent background works best) - Brand colors (hex codes—don’t just eyeball it) - Brand fonts (if you want to get picky, but be aware Honeybook has a limited set) - Any imagery or headshots you want to include
Pro tip: If you don’t have brand guidelines, just pick 1-2 colors and a clean logo. Don’t overthink it.
Step 2: Set up your company branding in Honeybook
Once you’ve logged into Honeybook, here’s how to make sure your proposals look like your business and not a stock template.
- Go to your Company Settings
- Click your profile picture (top right), then “Company Settings.”
- Upload your logo
- There’s a spot for your main logo. Use a transparent PNG for best results.
- Set your brand colors
- Look for the branding or appearance section. Plug in your hex codes.
- Honeybook applies these to buttons, headers, and backgrounds across your proposals.
- Choose your font
- You can’t upload custom fonts, but you can pick from a handful of options. Pick something readable.
- Add your contact details
- Make sure your phone number, website, and email are up to date. This info appears on proposals automatically.
What to skip: Don’t fuss over background images or watermarking—most clients just want clear info, not a design showcase.
Step 3: Create your first proposal template
This is where most people get stuck, but it’s pretty straightforward once you know the steps.
- Navigate to Templates
- Click on “Tools” in the sidebar, then “Templates.”
- Choose ‘Proposal’
- Honeybook lets you make templates for invoices, contracts, and more. Pick “Proposal.”
- Name your template
- Use something helpful, like “Wedding Photography Proposal” or “Branding Package,” so you can find it later.
- Build out your sections
- Add a cover page. Use your logo and a headline (“Let’s work together!” beats “Proposal for Services”).
- Write a short, friendly intro. Two or three sentences is plenty.
- Add your services, packages, or line items. You can pull these from your service library or type them in.
- Include pricing. Be upfront—clients hate hunting for numbers.
- Optional: Add testimonials, portfolio images, or a quick FAQ.
- Attach your contract and invoice
- Honeybook lets you link these, so clients can sign and pay in one shot.
Pro tip: Don’t cram everything onto one page. Use clear section headers and some white space.
Step 4: Add your personal touch (without wasting time)
Templates are great, but a little customization can go a long way—without becoming a time sink.
- Swap out the greeting: Use the client’s name, and reference their project if you can. “Hi Sarah, excited about your upcoming event!” is better than “Dear Client.”
- Tweak the package details: If your client asked for something specific, make sure the proposal reflects that.
- Adjust the pricing if needed: Don’t forget to double-check numbers, especially if you’re offering a discount or custom package.
What to ignore: You don’t need to rewrite your bio or company story every time. Keep it short and sweet.
Step 5: Preview and test your proposal
Before you hit send, do a quick check:
- Preview as client
- Honeybook has a preview option. Use it to see exactly what your client will see—including on mobile.
- Test the workflow
- If it’s your first time, send a proposal to yourself or a friend. Make sure the contract and payment buttons work.
- Check for typos and broken links
- It’s basic, but nothing kills professionalism like a typo.
Pro tip: If the proposal looks weird on mobile, tweak your formatting. Most clients check things on their phone first.
Step 6: Send it—and streamline your follow-up
- Send through Honeybook
- You can send it directly from Honeybook, which keeps the whole process in one place.
- The client will get an email with a link (not an attachment), which is easier for them to view and act on.
- Automate reminders
- Honeybook can send automatic follow-ups if the client hasn’t viewed or signed the proposal after a few days.
- This is one area where automation actually helps—no more chasing down every lead by hand.
- Track opens and actions
- You’ll see when a client views, signs, and pays. If they’re stuck, you can reach out at just the right time.
What to skip: Don’t send a separate PDF unless the client asks for it. The built-in workflow is faster for everyone.
Pro tips for better proposals (without extra work)
- Keep it simple. Fancy graphics or dense text won’t win you business—clarity and professionalism will.
- Use templates, but personalize the intro and details. That’s what shows clients you listened.
- Update your templates every few months. Outdated pricing or old testimonials make you look sloppy.
- Don’t oversell. Nobody likes a hard pitch in a proposal. Focus on value, not hype.
- Test on mobile. Seriously, do it.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Trying to “wow” with design. Unless you’re a design agency, focus on making your proposal easy to read.
- Forgetting to link the contract/invoice. If clients can’t sign and pay right away, you’ll lose deals.
- Using too much boilerplate. A little personality beats stiff, generic text every time.
- Overcomplicating your packages. Clear, simple options = faster decisions.
Wrapping up: Keep it simple, iterate as you go
You don’t need a branding agency to make proposals that feel professional and true to your business. Honeybook gives you enough tools to look sharp and move fast, without getting lost in the weeds. Start with a clean template, personalize the key details, and don’t stress about pixel-perfect design. Your potential clients just want clear info and an easy “yes.”
Try it, see what works, and update your templates as you get feedback. The more you use the system, the faster and better your proposals will get. Good luck!