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How to Write a Proposal for a Freelance Writing Job

A lot of writers—freelancers included—struggle with proposal writing. The problem is that most people think proposals should be written in the same way they would write an essay. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Proposal writing is a little bit like magic because there are so many different ways to structure, word, and phrase a proposal to make it perfectly fit any need or situation.

The Purpose Of A Proposal

As a freelancer, you will be asked to write proposals for different clients on a regular basis. Just like with your essays, your proposals must fulfill a certain purpose. There are four types of proposals that you will need to know how to write. They are:

Production Proposal

This is the most common type of proposal and it is used when you are hired to write and direct a TV commercial, a radio commercial, or an advertising brochure. The purpose of a production proposal is to convince the client that your services are the best available in the industry. You want to write the proposal such that it holds the attention of the reader and leaves no doubt in their mind about your expertise.

Negotiation Proposal

A negotiation proposal is used when you are hired to write the sales document for a business that is seeking to invest in your company. The purpose of a negotiation proposal is to convince the potential investor that your company is worth the investment and that you are the best person to run it. Again, you want to write the proposal such that it leaves no question in the reader’s mind about your expertise.

HR Proposal

An HR proposal is used in place of a traditional business proposal when your client is a company or an organization’s human resources department seeking to fill a particular position. The purpose of an HR proposal is to convince the reader that this is a good idea and that you are the best person to write the document.

Business Development Proposal

A business development proposal is similar to an HR proposal but it is used when a company or an organization seeks to bring in new business. The purpose of a business development proposal is to convince the reader that your company is the best choice for their needs.

How To Write A Proposal For A Freelance Writing Job

Alright, so you are ready to write your first proposal. Begin by defining the purpose of the document in the opening sentence. Next, write a short biography about yourself. This is an easy way to pull the reader into your document and establish your expertise. Finally, write a brief but solid overview of what your proposed document will contain. This will help the reader know what to expect and will make it much easier for them to follow your directions. You want to make sure that your proposal is easy to understand and that the information is presented in an organized manner. You want your proposal to be so good that it will leave the reader shouting “YES!” at the end.

There, now you can write your perfect proposal. Congrats!

While writing a proposal, there are a lot of things that you need to keep in mind. For instance, you need to make sure that you follow the proper format. If you are writing the proposal for a client, remember to write it in a way that conveys your humility. Clients love to see that their employees respect them enough to point out their shortcomings. Writing a humble proposal shows that you have the courage to stand up for what you believe in even when the odds are against you. In the same way, you want to maintain control over the content. Your client will never truly trust you if you include outside sources in your proposals. In addition to that, it makes you look like a less credible source. Finally, make sure that you follow up with your client once you have written the proposal. They will appreciate the work that you have done and will have many useful tips for you in the future. Good luck out there!