![The business proposal template, page one: Cover block, Where you are, What we propose, How it works, Price, Timeline, Next steps, with [brackets] to fill in.](/templates/img/business-proposal.webp)
What this template is for
Use it after a first call, when a customer says "send me something". It suits agencies, consultants, contractors, IT service firms, trainers and any business that sells a piece of work rather than a product off the shelf.
A good proposal repeats the customer's problem back in their words, then shows a clear path and a clear price. This template is built in that order, so the price comes after you have shown you listened.
- Fonts
- DM Sans for headings, Source Serif 4 for text
- Paper
- A4, one page
- Margins
- 0.9 in top and bottom, 1 in left and right
- File
- Word .docx
What is in it, section by section
- Cover blockA small label, the title "[What we propose] for [Customer]", and a line with who it is for, the date and your company.
- Where you areWhat the customer told you, in their words, and what the problem costs them today.
- What we proposeThe outcome in one sentence, then the two or three things you will do.
- How it worksNumbered phases, each with what the customer has at the end of it.
- PriceA table of item, quantity and price, with a total line.
- TimelineA table of milestones and dates.
- Next stepsA checklist: agree on scope, sign, kick off on a date.
How to fill it in
- Fill "Where you are" from your call notes. Quote the customer where you can.
- Write the outcome as something they can check, such as "every invoice sent the day the job is done".
- Break the work into phases a customer could stop after. It makes the first yes easier.
- Price each item. If a figure is an estimate, say so in the item's name.
- Put a real date on the kick-off, so the next step is concrete.
Questions
How long should a business proposal be?
Two to four pages for most small jobs. The template fills about one page before you write, and the price and timeline tables grow with the work.
What is the difference between a proposal and a quote?
A quote is a price. A proposal explains the problem, the plan and the price together. Send a quote when the customer already knows what they want, and a proposal when they need to agree on the plan.
Where do terms and conditions go?
Keep the proposal readable. Attach your terms as a separate document, or add a short section before Next steps that points to them.
Should I send it as Word or PDF?
Send a PDF so the layout holds. Keep the Word file to change the price or dates if the customer asks.
Use it in Supernatural
Supernatural: everything your business runs on, with Blue as your part-time admin. Word is one of its apps. In your workspace, you ask Blue for “a proposal for a customer”. Blue starts from this template, writes in what you give it, and leaves [brackets] where something is missing. Before it makes the document, Blue shows you which template it chose and what it will write. Nothing is made until you say yes.
The beta is free and asks for no card.
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Last updated 3 November 2026.