great design starts at the proposal

I completely agree. It is very important to do all the little things. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

By the way, that Standard Terms of Agreement that you attached is very well designed and it is very detailed. I think I will create one as well and base it of yours. Thanks again for sharing this and I hope that you will give use more food for thought in the future.

Thanks for this post, Brian. I agree and have a well designed proposal and professional, legal contract. But, if you don’t mind my asking, does your standard proposal not only include project description, scope, pricing firm history, bio(s), etc., but also work examples? (and if so, is it several examples print and web, or just examples of work relevant to the proposed project?)

I tend not to attach work examples because I figure prospective clients have already viewed my online portfolio. Plus these proposals + contracts can get to 30 pages long or so, and I find that clients like a balance between professional vs pages of overwhelming legalese, if you what I mean.

I just ask because I have noticed that when I’m submitting a proposal in response to a specific RFP, generally they ask for work examples, and of course, I include them.

Great post Brian. Your document shouts out professionalism. I think generally clients put so much more trust in you when they can see that you run your business so well and remember the little things.
Thanks for sharing.

Great post Brian, and what a professional and well-designed agreement. How can any client NOT accept it? It let’s them know up front that you are the man for the job. Thanks for sharing!

That IS a beautiful proposal, no wonder they were all accepted ;)
Thank you for sharing it, it’s a great reference point! I definitely have some changes to make…
Cheers!

Great new blog Brian!

The Standard Terms of Agreement is a real eye opener. I include a lot of that information in my contract, but never thought of sending it over with proposals. It gives the client a great idea of exactly what they’re getting into.

Keep up the great stuff,
Carson

I love the way you put this out and just realized it the other day. My freelance business hasn’t started yet but I welcome orders as they come my way. I had to get a portolio together quickly and being the way I am, it couldn’t be thrown together as if i were wearing my jeans and t-shirt.

When adding that and your proposal together you are as an business person: wearing your business suit. As a musician: playing those chords and notes. As a designer: visually enticing your clients while giving them facts and your information. You are letting them know, you are in good hands & we make a great team you(client) and I.

So true, great post.
My contract has black and white logos, Myriad Pro Semibold headings Myriad Pro body text, as does most of my stationary to cut down costs, but it is well received and even complimented by clients
(and you know its good when the client receives your first invoice and say wow the design looks great)

on the previous comment, the black and white was to save costs :P not the typeface.

First of all, I really like the new design of behoff.com! I think it really works, especially for text. Great work. I also agree with you about the importance of the proposal’s design as an early indicator of client confidence—and good design for all collateral related to communications with a client for that matter. I do wonder, though, if you have had any push back from clients who “don’t like to read,” or who are initially concerned if a legal document spans more than two pages in length. If you have received some initial reluctance from clients, how do you address that to assuage their concerns and point out the value of having the agreement in writing? Most of my clients are thrilled to have something in writing, but occasionally I talk with someone who seems to fear the prospect of reading through a binding contract. I’m curious how you (or other readers) handle situations like this.

Jase,
Glad you enjoy the design, thanks. I position as the document stands for… a way to protect myself and the client. Not only does it have documentation that stats information that will protect my interests, but also ensures that project cancellation on my part, who pays for what extra charges (stock photography, font licenses, etc.). Having an index in the font will help them digest information and jump to the “important” stuff in their opinion. It’s like buying a new car…. everyone doesn’t feel like sitting there and going through all the legal work, finances, etc. but if you want and more importantly need a car you do it. Many of times they ask me to briefly state what’s in it and thats good enough for them, either way I always have them sign it.

I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said, but to stir up a bit of controversy, I say don’t do a proposal at all! Instead, try to get a 15-minute meeting with the client. If face-to-face is unavailable, a phone call will do. You’ll learn more about his business and he more about your capabilities than from any massive document. Plus it saves time all around.

If you are forced to do a proposal, I say keep it to two pages max. That way, you haven’t burned hours and hours creating something that very likely won’t even be read in entirety.

Prescott,

That is definitely a great point and when that I try to do before any piece of typed-out agreement/proposal goes underway. My proposals are generally two pages and attached to my standard term of agreement — it documents key points of the project, which will be accomplished, price (and breakdown of costs sometimes), deliverable and time frame, which then proceeded to my Terms, which is standard for each client. Being able to discuss things with them in person or via phone is a great way to make things a bit more personal. Thanks for the great tip.

Great points!

I am not a designer but I do send out written proposals and I actually think design matters just as much in my case. Even though my clients are not buying a design, they are still forming an impression of my company based on what they receive.

We’re going through a major site redesign right now and once the new site launches, your blog has inspired me to have my proposals designed to match.

Thanks!

I can’t see the standard form:
Not Found

The requested URL /images/TDC_terms&conditions.zip was not found on this server.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

Daus,

I just double checked the link to my terms of agreement and all seems to be well. Do you mind trying again to see if you encounter the same issue?

It would be great it you could give us all a glimpse of what your proposals actually look like. Is it all layout and typeface or are you including graphic elements, beyond the logo, of course?

Joanna,

My proposals follow the same guidelines as my terms and conditions. It is always attached to my terms and conditions as 1–2 additional pages that include a project brief, pricing, deadline and deliverable. I also include a cover page with my company logo, the name of the clients company and also the client office name (the person that I deal with directly).

As far as graphic elements, mine does not have any besides my logo, but utilizes 2 beautiful, quality and relevant (for prolonged readability) typefaces by Hoefler & Frere-Jones and focuses on layout. Good design doesn’t always mean over design — sometimes good layout and typography are plenty to make you appear professional, serious and good at what you do.

Great Post Brian!
This is very useful, as I am in “proposal land” right now, and thinking about the type of deliverable that I would like to give to clients, and potential clients.

Brian, having just recently started my new company, Lift, we just went through the process of designing our proposal template. It’s definitely one of those things I pour my time and effort into because I know it is the most important thing for a new potential client (well, next to an amazing portfolio).

I think the biggest thing with a well-designed and thought out proposal is getting the good clients, because they are the ones who really pay attention to the little details like your proposal design.

Great article.

But reading through your terms and conditions I can’t help but ask, don’t clients always hassle you about the extra costs you include asking all sorts of questions prior to closing the job?

I mean questions like “What, I really have to pay for all our phonecalls even if you have something to ask me?” or “Do I really have to pay the fonts that you’ll use? Isn’t that supposed to be your job? What do I care what fonts you use”.

I mean, all of these issues are clear to a designer or a person that works in the design industry but aren’t most of your clients surprised by such terms? Don’t you get annoyed when you have to explain yourself every single time?

Vassileios,

Only possibly once or twice have I had a client question the extra costs. Generally they are pretty self-explanatory, for example, if the client is over seas and wants to talk on the phone they pay, not if it’s “local” — but there is always Skype. Also, many clients ask for a typeface to represent their brand and documentation and therefore need a license for usage. When I use a licensed font I create an outline of the font and do not hand over the font file. If they request the actual file they have to pay for it for the type foundry.

The Standard Terms are there to protect yourself and your client(s). Have it all covered is necessary.

Hi Brian, I have a question that somewhat relates to this post.
I am interested in doing design work for several specific companies. My professional background is mostly in print design, but the work that im interested in getting from these companies is closer to product design.
My existing portfolio doesn’t really relate, so I have created several samples (my own designs of their product) to send them as a self introduction/collaboration proposal.
I am wondering, is there a disclaimer or “contract” of some sort that would protect my ownership of these sample designs – without coming across as an insult to my client hopeful?