When pitching your service to clients, partners, or investors, you want to put your best foot forward.
Great service proposals can give you an edge—whether you’re a service-based company or a professional offering a service. Beyond captivating your audience's attention, they clearly communicate the value of your services, helping you build trust and attract new clients.
But here's the kicker—creating a professional service proposal from scratch isn't a walk in the park.
In this article, you'll learn what a service proposal is, how to write one, and best practices to help your organization edge out the competition. We've also included service proposal templates to get you started on the right foot.
A service proposal is a type of business proposal used to pitch your service to potential clients. Think of it as a sales document that provides a detailed description of the services that will be provided, the associated costs and any other relevant information.
A well-crafted service proposal helps acquire new clients, win contracts and secure funding. Beyond highlighting why your service is the best choice, it ensures clarity about deliverables.
For companies that offer tangible products, a product proposal is the best way to communicate the features and value of their products. However, companies offering both products and services can write a business proposal that captures everything about their offerings.
The template below is an example of a service proposal for a business that offers commercial cleaning services. It includes sections such as About Us, Our Mission, Services Offered, Work Samples, Cleaning Proposals (deliverables), Budget, and Pricing.
However, feel free to input additional information such as terms and conditions, case studies, team, milestones and timelines, etc. Also, you can easily customize this premade template to pitch professional services like legal services, catering, photography, branding and more.
Service and simple proposals are both used in business contexts. But there’s a subtle difference between the two documents.
Service proposals are a more complex type of proposal that offers a tailored solution to a client’s needs. It has a broader scope as it may involve multiple stakeholders, complex deliverables and various project phases.
Simple proposals are usually brief documents that address a specific request or need. They have a narrower scope and focus on a single product, service or project with fewer variables.
Also, they are often used for internal purposes or smaller projects. They work effectively in situations where a structured approach or details are unnecessary. For example, you can use them to pitch new ideas, suggest process improvements, or propose changes to existing practices.
Ready to start creating your service proposals? We’ve handpicked these pre-made proposal templates to get you started quickly. Each template is fully customizable to match your unique business needs.
Here’s what one of Visme's clients had to say about our templates and service:
"Visme is something that I would highly recommend. It made us look a lot better in our clients’ eyes because it's something that's visually effective as a marketing tool. It’s a great tool to facilitate sharing that information in a much more visually-friendly and user-friendly method."
Pitch your web development service with this comprehensive proposal template. With a sleek and modern design, this template includes all the necessary sections to share your expertise.
The template’s color theme radiates positivity. The header is made up of colorful shapes that beam a touch of elegance and stay consistent across all the pages. On each page, there’s a clear visual contrast between the text and background, ensuring the proposal is easy to read.
This document includes key sections like project, portfolio and budget, plus a customizable roadmap. Therefore, you can use it as an IT service proposal as well
With Visme’s intuitive editor, you can easily swap colors, fonts and other elements to fit your branding.
Looking to Impress your clients and secure more deals for your branding company? This fully-customizable brand project proposal template has an eye-catching cover page and an exquisite design layout that's bound to catch your client’s eye.
The color palette across the document features blends of different shades of gray, blue and green sprinkled with a burst of gold. In addition to the subtle shadow play, the clean lines and open spaces reduce visual clutter and improve readability.
Incorporate captivating images from Visme’s stock photo library. You can either pick out images and use them as a background image. Or feel free to add them to the service or portfolio section.
Gain clients’ confidence in your property business with this intuitive and customizable proposal template. Whether you run an interior design company or real estate business, this template can be customized to fit your specifications.
There are different pages for About Us, Mission Statement, Our Clients, Current Properties and Proposed Plan of Action. You can replace this information with yours or use it as a starting point.
What makes this template stand out is the use of attractive visual elements. The font, vector icons and shapes elevate the document's visual appeal. And the rich blend of multiple color themes evokes emotions and excitement.
For a quick and compelling proposal that covers all the crucial details, check out Visme's one pager proposal templates. They're designed to make your proposal clear and visually appealing.
Read this comprehensive article to learn more about writing a one page proposal.
Amplify your event planning services with a sleek and professional proposal template. Beyond the delightful combination of bright colors, the perfect use of icons, shapes and photos makes it iconic.
Take your design to the next level with Visme’s free, built-in design assets. Or upload your brand assets to make the template meet your design specifications.
Customize this template and make it your own! Edit and DownloadWhat other way is there to showcase your photography services than with a visually appealing template?
This template features a rich assortment of gorgeous images. Beyond the stunning images and color theme, the template has a trendy layout with a minimalist design. The typefaces, fonts and other elements on each page follow a logical hierarchy, making the document interesting to read.
Not satisfied with your image quality? Edit, touch up, unblur and upscale images with AI TouchUp Tools. Just select the photo you want to touch up and click Edit on the top left bar. You’ll find a window with the TouchUp tools at the very top. Select the tool you want and continue the process.
Showcase your expertise and build trust with our professional, polished consulting proposal template. The sleek design, modern layout and customizable sections make it a must-have tool for any consultant for their proposal of services!
Each page has a seamless alignment of images and text, mixed with beautiful icons. The vertical and horizontal timeline visualization is decorated with lines, shapes, icons and colors. All of these beautiful design elements and more are easily accessible within the Visme editor.
Complete with a detailed scope of work, services, budget, and timeline, this template is sure to impress potential clients and secure more business. Get ideas for writing high-quality content related to your specific niche with Visme’s AI writer. Just input your prompt and let the tool unleash its magic.
Get clients to hire your training services with this cutting-edge template proposal for services. The combination of green, lemon and bright hues emits excitement and vigor.
With Visme, there are no creative boundaries. So amp up your proposal with animations and interactive elements like animated text and graphics, hotspots, pop ups, hover effects and other special effects.
Professional proposals don’t have to be some boring documents filled with text and numbers . Get creative with your audit service proposal using this striking template for services offered.
Starting from the energetic cover page to the grid-style table of content to the cool shapes, icons and color combo, everything oozes class. And if you want to share some numbers, Visme’s data visualization tool is your best ally. Access a rich collection of charts, graphs, maps, widgets and more.
Buzzing to win the next big project for your construction firm? Enjoy a competitive advantage with this groovy, dynamic proposal template. Whether you’re using this proposal to pitch a new project or market other services, this design is sure to capture attention and leave a lasting impression.
The combination of a warm color scheme and bold and unconventional statement font amps up this design, giving it a positive visual appeal. The positive tone is guaranteed to excite your readers, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking to add a touch of fun and personality to their proposal.
With stunning work samples, you can give potential clients a peek into your architectural prowess and how they’ll benefit from working with you. Share your proposal with clients online or embed it on your website.
Additionally, explore our article on 8 bid proposal templates, offering valuable resources to streamline and enhance your proposal creation process. These templates provide a structured framework, making it easier to present comprehensive and compelling proposals to stay ahead of your competitors.
Combine the worlds of business and artistry with this innovative proposal template, featuring a unique blend of geometry and vibrant colors.
Perfect for those looking to make a statement, this dynamic template allows you to showcase your company's personality and creativity while still maintaining a professional edge.
You can spice things up with unique graphics, icons, and images from Visme’s AI image generator. Just input an accurate prompt and you’re good to go.
Differentiate yourself from other freelancers and agencies with our unique and memorable proposal template. It also comes with pages dedicated to services, project overview, review, samples, workflow and budget—everything you want in a professional proposal template.
You can download your proposal in PDF, JPG, PNG and HTML5 formats and share it with your clients offline.
Want to get clients excited about collaborating with your brand? This template right here is your silver bullet. It also comes with great stock photos, fonts and bold color combinations. The subtle use of vector icons and shapes makes your document come alive.
From services to testimonials to proposals and pricing details, this template has everything you need to showcase your acumen and track record.
Get your team on board and enjoy seamless collaboration with Visme. Team members can leave comments, draw annotations and share ideas until you get the best copy.
Additionally, with Visme’s advanced workflow management features, you can manage roles, tasks, deadlines, corrections and much more.
Service proposals can help you with everything from attracting the right clients to growing your business, and the quality of your service proposal can decide whether or not clients hire you.
If you're in a rush and need to create a service proposal quickly, Visme's AI document generator is a lifesaver. You just draft your document with a text prompt, pick a design style and let the tool do the rest. It creates all the text, images and additional design elements for you in no time.
Let’s show you how to create a winning service proposal.
Before you start writing your service proposal, you need to gather all the essential information you’ll need.
Start by understanding what your client's unique needs and pain points are.
Even if your clients are in the same niche, don’t assume their needs are the same. Instead, visit each prospect’s website or social media pages to understand their mission, vision and values and business model.
Better yet, reach out to key people within the organization via email or phone to get exact details on their requirements.
Before your sales call, prepare a list of sales discovery questions focused on your prospect’s objectives, existing processes and pain points.
During the call, give them ample opportunity to share their motivations and frustrations. That way, you’ll get a full scoop on the problems they may face along the way and see if they're the right fit for your company.
Don’t forget to have specific case studies and testimonials that highlight how your service solved a similar pain point. You’ll need it to make a compelling case for your service.
The title or cover page is the first page of your proposal. It typically includes details such as
Since it's the first thing your clients see, you want to create a memorable first impression. Keep the design neat, catchy and aligned with your company's brand image. Use a strong title that excites clients and nudges them to keep digging into other pages in the proposal.
Remember to add a Table of Contents to keep your proposal organized and help readers identify where different sections start and end.
This is the section where you share a brief introduction about your company and what it does. This should highlight your mission statement, values, services you offer, operational model, industry, relevant experience, major milestones, clients you’ve worked with, etc.
This section should establish your credibility and expertise in the industry. Your prospects should leave this page convinced and confident about doing business with you.
Your executive summary should provide a snapshot of your service proposal details.
Here, you’ll want to grab your prospect’s attention by briefly highlighting their pain point (especially if the proposal is unsolicited). Mention how your proposal or service aims to eliminate that pain point. More importantly, give them a mental picture of their new status after you’ve addressed the pain point.
Service details are the meat of the proposal where you talk about the problem, solution, methodology and scope of work. You’ll outline the proposed solution to the client's pain points.
Describe the services you will provide, how they address the identified pain points and their benefits. Highlight any unique features or value-added perks that set your services apart from competitors.
Explain how you intend to deliver the service- what work will be done. When writing this segment, shed light on the approach, process, tools, technology, equipment, and resources you're going to utilize while fixing the problem.
Pro Tip: Let clients know you’re open to getting more information about their challenges to customize your services better meet their unique needs.
List the deliverables so the prospect knows exactly what they are getting at the end of the project. It could be a report, strategy or design. Mention milestones, timelines and deadlines to set expectations for deliverables. Also, highlight the contingency plan for unexpected delays or bottlenecks.
For example, you can provide a schedule with key dates for milestones like:
Then list the key performance indicators that prospects can use to gauge performance. When setting KPIs, align them with the prospect’s needs and expectations. This ensures every stakeholder is on the same page and there are no disputes over the expected outcomes.
Provide a detailed breakdown of your pricing structure and associated costs. Ensure transparency by itemizing all expenses, including hourly rates, labor materials, travel expenses, overhead and additional fees.
If there are optional add-ons or extra services, mention the additional cost involved. Share your preferred payment schedule, whether it's a lump sum upfront, installments tied to milestones, or recurring payments.
Consider offering discounts for larger projects, early payments, or long-term contracts—especially if there's potential for ongoing work. Clearly outline payment terms, cancellation fees, and other financial aspects in your proposal.
Chances are that other companies are pitching similar services to your prospect. Your proposal should mention why your company is the cream of the crop.
Introduce your team members, including their qualifications, roles, and responsibilities. Emphasize their strengths and how their combined expertise will make the project a resounding success.
Next, share case studies, testimonials, references and examples of clients who’ve succeeded with your service. Include compelling numbers, stats and metrics like return on investment (ROI), revenue, profit, and cost savings. Coming in with examples of previous wins can also prove your approach works.
To further convince clients that their money will be well-spent, you can offer guarantees such as:
Summarize the key points and reiterate why your services are the best fit for the client's needs. Then close the proposal with a strong call-to-action so the client knows what to do next.
Encourage follow-up questions and provide contact information so they can reach out for further discussion. In the appendices, include supplementary documents, such as resumes, certificates, licenses, and reference letters, to support your proposal. These attachments should provide additional assurance of your credentials and capabilities.
Your service proposal may be a client’s first contact with your brand. So make sure it's professional and eye-catching.
Get a creative head start with Visme’s professionally designed templates (more details below). Apply your branding and interactive elements to give your proposal a more polished appearance.
Remember to incorporate engaging visuals like images, animated graphics, infographics, charts, etc.
Be sure your proposal is free of typos, grammatical errors or poorly constructed sentences; it can come across as lacking attention to detail.
Run your proposal through grammar checkers tools like Grammarly, Quillbot and Visme’s AI writing software. Additionally, get a fresh pair of eyes from team members for a final look to ensure key points aren't left out.
Now you know how to write a proposal for services and have access to customizable templates to craft your first proposal.
Congrats. Well, the job isn’t done yet.
Let’s explore a few best practices to improve your chances of getting your clients to sign the dotted lines.
Avoid following up immediately after sending the proposal, as this can come across as pushy. Give the prospect at least a few days to a week to evaluate your proposal and compare it with others.
If you haven't received a response after a reasonable amount of time has passed, follow up with the prospect. This shows that you are invested in the project and willing to go the extra mile to secure their account or business.
You send a brief email or phone call to inquire if they have had a chance to review your proposal and if they have any questions or concerns.
When reaching out to the client via phone or face-to-face, be prepared to answer questions. This could be your best chance of providing clarification, elaborating on your proposal or offering alternative solutions.
Sometimes, clients may request changes to your original proposal. Be open to revising your proposal and adapting it to better suit your client's needs. This may involve discussing pricing, deadlines, delivery, and payment terms.
During the follow up process, you can share more case studies or references from previous clients who have used your services. This can help clear up any doubts the client may have and showcase your ability to deliver high-quality work.
Though there's no universal formula to decide the length of a service proposal, the general rule of thumb is to make them between 2 to 5 pages.
However, the length truly depends on the project's complexity and your client's requirements. What's most important is to clearly and concisely present all necessary details.
A service proposal should address the following:
No, a service proposal doesn't constitute a contract. It's a formal document that a service provider sends to a prospective client detailing the services they can offer and the expected cost. It only becomes a contract after both parties have agreed upon and signed.
A proposal presents a possible agreement, with a service proposal outlining potential services and costs. On the other hand, an offer comes after the proposal and represents a more solid commitment that has come out of discussions based on the initial proposal.
You can send a service proposal to your client as an email. Write a short summary of what's inside the email and attach the entire proposal as a PDF file.
With Visme, you can send your service proposal in a PDF, JPG, PNG or HTML format. Additionally, you can share a secured link with your clients for a more highly interactive proposal with animations and special effects.
If you offer professional services or run a service-based company, you’re going to need a wide range of proposals. In this article, we've covered everything about creating professional service proposals that attract leads.
Creating proposals from scratch can be time-consuming, which is why Visme is your best bet. In addition to its rich library of proposal templates, you get access to an intuitive editor and cutting-edge tools that help you streamline the entire process.
Sign up to experience the power of Visme’s drag-and-drop proposal maker firsthand.
