How to Create a Proposal Template in Dubsado

How much of a difference would it make in your day to not have to worry about proposals and contracts with new clients? It can be a tedious process that’s necessary to grow a business. It doesn’t have to be manual, though!

Dubsado makes sending and closing proposals easy! Gone are the days when you have to follow up with clients to get them to respond to your proposal. With Dubsado, those reminders will be automated so you can focus on closing more clients.

Better yet, even the proposal can be templatized! In this article, we’ll go over the steps to create a proposal template in Dubsado.

1. Templetize Your Packages

The first thing you want to do is create templates for your packages. This makes it super easy in the future to add packages to proposals. You can either add the package to the proposal yourself or have the client do it, similar to cart functionality.

You’ll need to add:

• Name of your package
• Description or Line Items
  • These are the deliverables within each package or offering
• Quantity
• Price
• Tax (optional)

To create a package template in Dubsado, follow these steps:

• Templates > Packages > Add Package > New Line Item

2. Create Any Images Needed

You can add branded images to your proposals! Graphics personalize the proposal, even though it’s a template. Think about adding graphics to represent testimonials, the header to the proposal, your process, or other decorative pictures. Graphics are a great way to break up the lengthy text and brand your proposals.

3. Build the Proposal

The drag-and-drop feature in Dubsado makes building proposals simple! For a proposal, you’ll likely be using the column, text box, image, and package section types.

Here’s what you’ll want to add to your Dubsado workflow:

• Header: Either a graphic, logo, or brand name.
• Text: Clarify who the proposal is for. For the template, you can say something like, “Insert client name here”.
• Introduction: It’s nice to include a little about yourself, why you’re excited to work with them, and a headshot to break up the text. You may also want to include awards or features in this section.
• Packages: This is a section you may or may not want to include in the template. It depends on if you want to select the package for the client or the client to select the package themselves. To make it easier for you, I recommend adding the packages if it’s clear to the client which one they’re purchasing. Custom packages should be handled by you. You want to make the process as easy for the client as possible!
• Add-ons: You can also include optional add-ons. The client will be able to add these when signing the proposal. 
• Social Proof: This is where you can include the graphic testimonials we talked about earlier. It’s always good to reassure the client that they’re making a good decision by choosing to work with you!
• Frequently Asked Questions: Share the most common questions you receive about working with you. 
• Next Steps: I like to share the next steps with my new clients. It sets expectations up front and shows the client you’re communicative. For example: Step 1 – Select your Package and Approve this Proposal, Step 2 – Review and Sign your Agreement, Step 3 – Pay your Deposit
• Footer: This wraps up the page with a nice bow! Your footer can be a graphic or an assortment of elements, such as links to other resources (social media, testimonials, etc.).

4. Add a Contract and Invoice

To automate your processes even further, add your contract and the invoice so the client can sign and pay right after they accept the proposal. Your contract is likely already templatized, so you’ll just need to connect it to the proposal. To do that, follow these steps:

• Templates > Select the proposal template > Forms > Form settings > Include contract = Yes > Select your contract (or add it to Dubsado)

If you also want to include the invoice, do these steps:

• Templates > Select the proposal template > Forms > Form settings > Include invoice = Yes > Choose if you also want to include a payment plan.

Now that you have your Dubsado proposal built, it’s time to send it! Simply clone the template each time you need to send a proposal and fill in the sections you left to personalize (client name, packages, etc.) Dubsado makes it super easy to create and send proposals to potential clients. Having it automated frees up your time to meet with more prospective clients and close more deals! Use the proposal building feature in Dubsado today.

Not wanting to build a Dubsado proposal template yourself? Check out my done-for-you Dubsado templates in my store. There’s one called True To You, and another called Brunch Essentials that gives you everything you need to get started using Dubsado to send proposals.

About Solution Integrators

To keep it simple, I’m Ashley, a Chief Systems Officer. I take your complex problems and find ways to simplify them. My goal isn’t just to save you time (saving you time is the easy part!) – I want to fully level up the way you interact, manage, and fulfill offers for your clients. I want to help you provide a cohesive experience. An experience that not only feels like quality but looks that way too. From onboarding to offboarding – I want to transform each phase of interaction from lead to signed client. Let’s work together!