When an Employer posts a Project, they are usually busy, a little uncertain and reading several Proposals at once. The Proposals that stand out are rarely the longest or the cheapest. They are the ones that show the Freelancer understood the brief and has a sensible plan.
This guide explains how to write a Proposal that answers the brief, with an example you can adapt.
Read the brief twice before you write anything
It sounds obvious, but most weak Proposals come from skimming. On the first read, decide whether the Project suits you. On the second, note:
- The outcome the Employer wants.
- The specific deliverables and tools mentioned.
- The budget and deadline.
- Any questions the Employer has asked you to answer.
- Anything unclear or missing.
If the Project is not a good fit, move on. Sending Proposals for work you are not suited to wastes your time and the Employer’s.
Open with their problem, not your biography
The first two lines decide whether the rest gets read. Do not start with “Hello, I am a highly skilled professional with many years of experience.” Start with what they need.
- Weak: “Hi, I am an experienced web developer and I can do this Project.”
- Better: “You need a five-page website for your accounting firm that makes it easy for local business owners to book a free call. I have built similar booking-focused sites and can have a first version ready within a week.”
The better version shows you read the brief and gets straight to the point.
Explain your approach in steps
Employers want to know what will happen after they hire you. A short, numbered plan is easy to read and builds confidence.
“Here is how I would approach it:
- Short call or questionnaire to confirm your services, audience and booking tool.
- Page structure and a homepage design for your approval.
- Build the remaining pages and connect the booking form.
- Testing on mobile and desktop, then a short handover video.”
Keep it to the main steps. You do not need to explain every task.
Be specific about price, timeline and what is included
Vague pricing makes Proposals hard to compare. State clearly:
- Your price for the work described.
- Your timeline, including when the first draft will be ready.
- What is included, such as the number of pages, revisions or files.
- What is not included, if there is anything the Employer might assume.
If you think the budget is too low for the full scope, say so politely and suggest what you could deliver within it. Honest, practical advice is often more persuasive than simply agreeing to everything. For a step-by-step method, see our guide on how to price your freelance services.
Show relevant work, briefly
One or two relevant examples are better than ten unrelated ones. For each, add one sentence explaining why it is relevant: “This site for a physiotherapy clinic uses the same booking setup you mentioned.”
If your examples need work, our guide on building a freelance portfolio explains how to choose and present them. If you are new and do not have a close example, say what similar work you have done and explain how your skills apply. Your Tasksyy profile, with your Services, portfolio and languages, supports what you write in the Proposal.
Answer every question the Employer asked
If the brief includes questions, answer each one directly, ideally in the same order. Employers often use these answers to compare Proposals side by side. Missing one can put you out of the running, even if the rest of your Proposal is strong.
Ask one or two useful questions
A good question shows you are already thinking about the work. For example:
- “Do you already have the text for each page, or would you like help with that?”
- “Is the 14 March date fixed, or is there some flexibility?”
Avoid asking for information that is already in the brief.
Keep it short and easy to scan
Most good Proposals can be read in under a minute. Use short paragraphs, a numbered plan and a clear price line. If your Proposal is getting long, cut the parts about you and keep the parts about their Project.
Example Proposal
Here is an example for a Project titled “Five-page website for a small accounting firm, with call booking”:
“You need a clear website that explains your three services and makes it easy for local business owners to book a free 20-minute call. I build WordPress sites for small professional firms, and this is very close to work I do regularly.
My approach:
- A short questionnaire to confirm your services, audience and booking tool.
- Homepage design for your approval within three days.
- Remaining four pages built and the booking form connected.
- Mobile and desktop testing, then a handover video so your team can edit the text.
Price: $550 for the full scope in your brief, including two rounds of revisions. Timeline: ten days from receiving your text and logo. Copywriting is not included, but I can quote for it separately if needed.
Relevant example: a five-page site for a bookkeeping practice with an integrated booking form, in my portfolio.
One question: do you already use a booking tool, or would you like a recommendation?”
It is short, specific and easy to compare with other Proposals.
Common mistakes
- Copy-pasted Proposals. Employers can usually tell. Refer to their Project by detail.
- No price or timeline. “It depends” is not helpful without an estimate.
- Overpromising. Do not guarantee results you cannot control, such as search rankings or sales.
- Moving the conversation off Tasksyy. Keep communication and payment on the platform, so both sides have a clear record of the order.
After you send it
Not every Proposal will be accepted, and that is normal. If you send several and hear nothing, look again at your opening lines and your pricing. Small improvements, such as referring to the brief more directly or explaining your plan more clearly, often make a noticeable difference.
