Sending a proposal shouldn't feel like a gamble, but often it does. You've talked to the client, understood their needs, presented your solution - and now everything depends on one document. A strong proposal closes deals. A weak one loses them.
If your proposals keep getting ignored or clients take forever to respond, you're probably making one of these four mistakes. The good news? They're all fixable.
1. The "simple" email
Throwing your proposal into an email seems quick and easy. Add some text, paste a link or two, attach a file. Hit send and you're done.
But here's what actually happens: emails break. Images don't load on the client's device. Formatting falls apart. Links get lost in long threads. Your clean proposal turns into a mess of broken elements and confusing information.
When clients forward your email to their team, everyone sees the same chaotic jumble. You look unprepared and unprofessional - exactly the opposite of what you're trying to achieve.
2. The plain text proposal
Plain text feels like the safe choice. No formatting issues, no design work, just straightforward information. If you're sending multiple proposals or don't trust your design skills, this seems practical.
But clients notice. A plain text proposal looks rushed, like you couldn't be bothered to make it presentable. From their perspective, it reflects how much effort you'll put into their actual project.
The numbers don't lie either - well-designed proposals convert 82% better than plain text ones. Presentation isn't optional. It's a major part of closing the deal.
3. The payment link
The meeting went well. Client's ready to start. You send a quick email listing your services in bullet points, mention the price, and ask them to confirm. Then you follow up with a payment link.
This feels efficient, but it's costing you deals. Without a proper proposal document, clients don't have the full picture. If they need to show it to their team or manager, your bullet points don't provide enough detail for decision-making.
Plus, typing "confirmed" in an email doesn't feel official. It lacks the security and professionalism of a real agreement. Even ready-to-buy clients can get uncomfortable with this informal approach and back out.
4. Skipping the proposal altogether
Client says they're ready to buy, so why waste time on a proposal? Just send the invoice and get paid, right?
Wrong. An invoice only shows what they owe. It doesn't outline what you're delivering, when you're delivering it, or under what terms. Without this clarity upfront, you're setting up misunderstandings and scope creep.
Clients need to see the full picture before committing. Skip the proposal and they'll either hesitate or choose someone who gave them more confidence through proper documentation.
The simple fix?
Stop sending broken emails and plain text documents. Use proper proposal software. With Wonit, just tell the AI what you need - "marketing proposal, $50K budget, 3-month timeline" - and you'll get a professional proposal in minutes. Pricing tables, timelines, clean design, everything included. No templates to figure out.
Prefer building it yourself? Use the simple drag-and-drop editor with ready-made blocks. Everything automatically looks good on any device.
Track when clients view your proposal and which sections they read. They'll also see an AI chatbot that answers their questions instantly. Add e-signature and payment links to close everything in one place.
Conclusion
Clients won't tell you what's wrong with your proposal. They'll just choose someone else whose proposal felt clearer and more professional. Most lost deals aren't about your service or pricing - they're about how you presented it. Fix these four mistakes and you'll see your close rate improve. Your proposal is often your last chance to win the client. Make it count.
Want to create proposals that close deals faster? Get early access and start building winning proposals in minutes, not hours.