Client Proposal Writer

# Client Proposal Writer

Build professional client proposals with scope, timeline, pricing, and terms.

## When to Use

- "Write a proposal for {client} for {project}"
- "I need to pitch {service} to a client"
- "Help me put together a freelance proposal"

## Requirements

- **Brave Search MCP** for market rate research
- **python3** for pricing calculations
- **pandoc** for PDF/DOCX conversion

## Workflow

### Step 1 — Proposal Brief

- **Client name and company**
- **Project description** (what they need)
- **Your services** (what you'll deliver)
- **Your hourly/project rate**
- **Estimated duration**
- **Any client requirements or constraints**

### Step 2 — Research Rates

```
brave_web_search: "{SERVICE_TYPE} freelance rates {YEAR}"
brave_web_search: "{SERVICE_TYPE} project pricing guide"
```

### Step 3 — Generate Proposal

```markdown
# Proposal: {PROJECT_NAME}
**Prepared for:** {CLIENT_NAME}, {COMPANY}
**Prepared by:** {YOUR_NAME}
**Date:** {DATE}
**Valid until:** {DATE + 30 days}

---

## Executive Summary
{2-3 sentences: what you'll do, the value it delivers, and why you're the right fit.}

## Understanding of Your Needs
{Restate the client's problem in your own words to show you understand it.}
- {Need 1}
- {Need 2}
- {Need 3}

## Proposed Solution

### Scope of Work
| Phase | Deliverable | Description |
|-------|------------|-------------|
| Discovery | {Deliverable} | {What and why} |
| {Phase 2} | {Deliverable} | {Description} |
| {Phase 3} | {Deliverable} | {Description} |
| Delivery | {Final deliverable} | {Description} |

### Out of Scope
- {Explicitly excluded item 1}
- {Explicitly excluded item 2}

## Timeline
| Phase | Duration | Dates |
|-------|----------|-------|
| Discovery | {N} days | {start} — {end} |
| {Phase 2} | {N} days | {start} — {end} |
| {Phase 3} | {N} days | {start} — {end} |
| **Total** | **{N} days** | |

## Investment

| Item | Hours | Rate | Total |
|------|-------|------|-------|
| {Phase 1} | {N} | ${RATE}/hr | ${TOTAL} |
| {Phase 2} | {N} | ${RATE}/hr | ${TOTAL} |
| {Phase 3} | {N} | ${RATE}/hr | ${TOTAL} |
| **Total** | **{N}** | | **${TOTAL}** |

**Payment terms:** {50% upfront, 50% on delivery / net 30 / etc.}

## Why {YOUR_NAME}
- {Relevant experience 1}
- {Relevant experience 2}
- {Previous similar project or result}

## Terms
- Revisions: {N} rounds included
- Additional revisions: ${RATE}/hr
- Cancellation: {policy}
- IP transfer: Upon full payment

## Next Steps
1. Review and approve this proposal
2. Sign agreement and submit deposit
3. Schedule kickoff call for {DATE}

---
*{YOUR_NAME} | {EMAIL} | {PHONE}*
```

### Step 4 — Calculate Pricing

```bash
python3 << 'PYEOF'
phases = [
    {"name": "{Phase 1}", "hours": {N}},
    {"name": "{Phase 2}", "hours": {N}},
    {"name": "{Phase 3}", "hours": {N}},
]
rate = {HOURLY_RATE}

total_hours = sum(p["hours"] for p in phases)
total_cost = total_hours * rate
deposit = total_cost * 0.5

print(f"Rate: ${rate}/hr")
print(f"Total hours: {total_hours}")
print(f"Total cost: ${total_cost:,.2f}")
print(f"Deposit (50%): ${deposit:,.2f}")
print(f"Final payment: ${total_cost - deposit:,.2f}")
PYEOF
```

### Step 5 — Export

```bash
mkdir -p outputs/proposals
pandoc "outputs/proposals/{CLIENT_SLUG}-proposal.md" -o "outputs/proposals/{CLIENT_SLUG}-proposal.pdf" --pdf-engine=wkhtmltopdf -V geometry:margin=1in
```

## Important Rules

- Always define what's OUT of scope — prevents scope creep
- Include payment terms and cancellation policy
- Set a proposal expiration date (typically 30 days)
- Use "Investment" not "Cost" — frames it as value
- Show you understand their problem before presenting your solution

## Example Prompts

- "Write a proposal for a website redesign project, $100/hr rate"
- "I need a freelance proposal for a mobile app MVP"
- "Help me pitch my consulting services to {company}"