---
name: consulting-proposal-template
description: "Creates reusable consulting proposal templates with customizable sections for different engagement types."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Consulting Proposal Template

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Build a reusable proposal template for consulting engagements
- Create customizable sections for different project types and client sizes
- Write persuasive proposal copy that closes deals
- Structure pricing, timelines, and deliverables professionally

**DO NOT** use this skill for RFP responses, grant applications, or internal business cases. This is for independent consultants and small firms pitching client work.

---

## Core Principle

A WINNING PROPOSAL PROVES YOU UNDERSTAND THE CLIENT'S PROBLEM BETTER THAN THEY DO — THEN PRESENTS YOUR SOLUTION AS THE OBVIOUS PATH FORWARD.

---

## Phase 1: Proposal Inputs

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Consulting specialty** | "What type of consulting do you do?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Typical engagement** | "Describe a common engagement — scope, duration, deliverables." | No default — must be provided |
| **Pricing model** | "How do you price — project, retainer, hourly, value-based?" | Project-based |
| **Win rate goal** | "What percentage of proposals do you want to close?" | 40-50% |
| **Client type** | "Who are your typical clients?" | Small to mid-size businesses |

**GATE: Confirm consulting type and engagement pattern before building the template.**

---

## Phase 2: Proposal Structure

### Proposal Template

```
## [Your Company Name]
### Proposal for [Client Name]

**Prepared by:** [Your name]
**Date:** [Date]
**Valid until:** [Date + 30 days]

---

### 1. UNDERSTANDING YOUR SITUATION

[Restate the client's problem in your own words. Show that you listened.
Reference specific details from your discovery conversation. This section
should make the client think "they really get it."]

**Key challenges we identified:**
- [Challenge 1 — with specific detail from your conversation]
- [Challenge 2]
- [Challenge 3]

**What this is costing you:**
[Quantify the impact — lost revenue, wasted time, missed opportunities]

### 2. RECOMMENDED APPROACH

[Describe your solution at a strategic level. Explain your methodology
and why it works. Connect your approach to their specific situation.]

**Our approach: [Framework/Methodology Name]**

Phase 1: [Name] — [What happens and why]
Phase 2: [Name] — [What happens and why]
Phase 3: [Name] — [What happens and why]

### 3. DELIVERABLES

| Deliverable | Description | Timeline |
|------------|-------------|----------|
| [Deliverable 1] | [Specific description] | Week [X] |
| [Deliverable 2] | [Specific description] | Week [X] |
| [Deliverable 3] | [Specific description] | Week [X] |

### 4. INVESTMENT

**Option A: [Engagement Name]** — $[amount]
[What is included — deliverables and support]

**Option B: [Engagement Name]** — $[amount]
[What is included — more comprehensive option]

**Payment terms:** [50% upfront, 50% on completion / monthly / milestone-based]

### 5. TIMELINE

[Visual or table showing the project phases mapped to calendar weeks]

### 6. ABOUT [YOUR COMPANY]

[2-3 sentences about your firm. Focus on relevant experience and results,
not your origin story.]

**Relevant results:**
- [Client result 1 with metrics]
- [Client result 2 with metrics]

### 7. NEXT STEPS

To move forward:
1. Review this proposal and share any questions
2. Sign the attached agreement
3. Submit initial payment
4. Schedule our kickoff call for [suggested date]

**This proposal is valid until [date].**
```

---

## Phase 3: Customization Guide

### Sections to Customize Per Client

| Section | What Changes | What Stays |
|---------|-------------|------------|
| Understanding | Client-specific problems and language | Overall structure and flow |
| Approach | Applied to their specific situation | Your methodology framework |
| Deliverables | Specifics and timeline | Format and categories |
| Investment | Pricing based on scope | Tiered options structure |
| About | Relevant case studies selected | Company description |

### Pricing Options Framework

Always present 2-3 options:

- **Option 1 (Core):** Solves the primary problem. Most clients choose this.
- **Option 2 (Comprehensive):** Solves the primary problem plus related issues. 30-50% higher than Option 1.
- **Option 3 (Premium/Retainer):** Comprehensive plus ongoing support. For clients who want a partner, not a project.

---

## Phase 4: Proposal Delivery

### Delivery Checklist

- [ ] Client's name, company, and problem details are correct
- [ ] Deliverables are specific and measurable
- [ ] Pricing is clear with payment terms stated
- [ ] Timeline is realistic and aligns with client expectations
- [ ] At least one relevant case study or result is included
- [ ] Proposal has a clear expiration date
- [ ] Next steps are explicit — what the client does to say yes
- [ ] Document is professionally formatted (PDF preferred)

### Follow-Up Sequence

- **Day 0:** Send proposal with a brief email summarizing the recommendation
- **Day 3:** Follow up to ask if they have questions
- **Day 7:** Offer a brief call to walk through the proposal
- **Day 14:** Final follow-up before expiration date
- **Day 30+:** If no response, close the loop with a "staying in touch" email

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **Leading with your bio** — the client does not care about your story until they know you understand their problem. Lead with their situation.
- **One option only** — a single price is a take-it-or-leave-it decision. Multiple options increase close rates.
- **Vague deliverables** — "strategic consulting services" is not a deliverable. Name specific outputs with due dates.
- **No expiration date** — proposals without deadlines get deprioritized. Create gentle urgency.
- **Sending without a walkthrough offer** — proposals that are only read (not presented) close at lower rates.

---

## Recovery

- **Client ghosts after receiving proposal:** Follow up twice, then send a "closing the file" email. This often prompts a response.
- **Client says it is too expensive:** Ask which outcome is most important to them and offer a reduced-scope option that addresses it.
- **Client wants to negotiate:** Know your floor rate before the conversation. Adjust scope, not rate.
- **Low close rate:** Review whether your proposals lead with the client's problem or your services. Rewrite the opening section.
- **Proposal takes too long to create:** Templatize everything except the "Understanding" section and deliverables specifics.
