Freelance Proposal Template
A flexible freelance proposal in markdown that works for writing, design, dev, or marketing projects — overview, deliverables, timeline, and price. Copy or download it, fill it in, and send.
The template
# Project Proposal
**Prepared for:** [Client name]
**Prepared by:** [Your name]
**Date:** [Date]
**Valid until:** [Date + 30 days]
---
## Overview
[Two or three sentences: the problem the client has, and what you'll deliver to
solve it. Write it so someone who missed the call still understands the plan.]
## What you'll get
- [Deliverable 1 — the concrete thing, not the activity]
- [Deliverable 2]
- [Deliverable 3]
## How I'll work
[A short paragraph on your process and check-ins — e.g. "We'll have a kickoff
call, I'll share progress at the midpoint, and you'll get one revision round
before final delivery."]
## Not included
- [State what's out of scope so expectations are clear — e.g. additional rounds,
extra deliverables, ongoing work after delivery.]
## Timeline
| Milestone | Target date |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | [Date] |
| First draft / midpoint | [Date] |
| Final delivery | [Date] |
Timeline assumes feedback within [2 business days] at each step.
## Price
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| [Project fee] | [$2,500] |
| [Optional add-on] | [$500] |
| **Total** | **[$2,500]** |
**Payment terms:** [50%] to start, [50%] on delivery. Invoices due within
[14 days]. [Optional: a [X]% late fee applies after [15] days.]
## Assumptions
- [What the price depends on — e.g. client provides source materials, brand
assets, and one point of contact for approvals.]
## Terms
- **Revisions:** [One round] is included; additional revisions at [$80/hour].
- **Ownership:** Final deliverables transfer to the client on full payment.
- **Cancellation:** Either party may cancel in writing; work completed to date
is billable.
## Next step
To get started, reply to approve or sign below. I'll send a kickoff note and the
first invoice.
**Accepted by:** ______________________ **Date:** ____________How to use this template
- 1
Copy or download the template
Grab the markdown with Copy markdown or Download .md.
- 2
Write the overview first
One short paragraph restating the client's problem and your solution. It's the part everyone reads.
- 3
List deliverables, not activities
Name the concrete things they receive — 'a 1,500-word article', not 'writing'. Concrete deliverables are easier to price and to accept.
- 4
Bound the revisions
State how many revision rounds are included and the rate beyond that, so 'a few tweaks' doesn't become unpaid work.
- 5
Set price and payment split
A deposit plus a balance on delivery is the norm; add late terms if you've been burned.
- 6
Export a branded PDF
Paste into Markpdf, apply your brand, and send with a one-line next step.
What to include in a freelance proposal (and why)
Keep it lean — every section should earn its place.
- Overview
- Problem and solution in a few sentences. Mistake: opening with your bio instead of their problem.
- Deliverables
- The concrete outputs they receive. Mistake: listing activities ("consulting") instead of deliverables ("a 10-page audit").
- Process & not-included
- How you work, plus what's out of scope. Mistake: no exclusions, so extras feel "owed".
- Timeline
- A few dated milestones. Mistake: promising a date without noting it depends on their feedback.
- Price & terms
- Fee, payment split, revision limits. Mistake: a number with no payment schedule.
Freelance proposal example
A filled-in snapshot for a content project. Numbers are illustrative — use your own.
Prepared for: Loop Software · By: J. Okafor · Valid until: 30 days
Overview: Loop's blog is stalled. This project delivers a 6-article content sprint to restart organic traffic.
Deliverables: 6 × 1,200-word articles, briefs, and one revision round each. Not included: publishing/CMS entry, images.
Price: $3,000 — 50% ($1,500) to start, 50% on delivery (illustrative).
FAQ
- What goes in a freelance proposal?
- An overview of the problem and solution, a clear list of deliverables, your process, what's excluded, a timeline, price with payment terms, assumptions, and a next step. Keep it to one or two pages — freelance clients decide fast.
- How long should a freelance proposal be?
- As short as it can be while still covering scope, price, and terms — usually one to two pages. Lead with the overview and the price; put detail in deliverables, not preamble.
- Should I put the price in the proposal?
- Yes. Leaving price out just adds a round of email and stalls the decision. State the fee, what it includes, and the payment split. If scope is uncertain, offer a fixed fee for a bounded scope rather than an open range.
- How do I handle revisions without losing money?
- Say how many rounds are included and the hourly rate beyond that, in the terms. When extra requests arrive, point to the line and quote them — this keeps 'just one more change' from eating your margin.
- Do I need a contract too?
- A signed proposal is often enough for small projects. For anything larger or ongoing, pair it with a scope of work or statement of work that spells out deliverables, acceptance, and terms.