Proposal Magic: A Freelancer’s Guide to Compelling Client Pitches

Learn how to create client proposals as a creative freelancer and turn your quotes into polished, professional documents that impress potential clients.

Client proposals don’t have to be boring, and they definitely shouldn’t be an afterthought.

In this class, you’ll discover how to create a reusable proposal template that reflects your style, clearly outlines your services, and helps you make the most of the opportunity before a client decides to hire you. Whether you’re a designer, illustrator, writer, or any kind of creative freelancer, you’ll learn how to craft proposals that feel confident, clear, and uniquely you.

As freelancers, we often treat proposals as a formality, but they’re actually a golden opportunity to showcase your professionalism, build trust, and set the tone for a smooth project experience.

This class isn’t about guaranteeing conversions, it’s about showing up with confidence, clarity, and care. You’ll walk away with the tools to turn your proposals into a strong first impression that reflects your style and value.

Besides being an educator,  I'm a freelance illustrator and lettering artist with clients like Audible, Skillshare, and Trader Joe’s. Over the years, I’ve sent a lot of proposals, and learned how to make them more useful, impactful, and even fun! I can't wait to share my insights with you!

What You’ll Learn: 

Through real-world examples, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at my own proposal process, you’ll:

• Understand what a client proposal is and why it matters

• Learn how to use proposals to stand out and make the most of early client conversations

• Plan and create your own reusable proposal template

• Know what to include (and what to leave out!)

• Walk through a real proposal I’ve used with paying clients

• Get bonus tips to make your proposals extra clear, confident, and client-ready

Who is this class for: 

This class is for freelancers of all kinds—illustrators, designers, writers, photographers, videographers, and beyond. If you offer creative services and want to present yourself more clearly and professionally to potential clients, this class is for you.

No prior experience with proposals is necessary, but a basic understanding of how freelance projects work will be helpful. 

What you will need:

To create your client proposal template, you can use any design software or program that you're already comfortable with — there’s no need to learn a new tool unless you want to! Some great options include:

• Adobe InDesign

• Canva

• Google Slides or Google Docs

• Microsoft PowerPoint

• Keynote

The goal is to create a clean, professional-looking proposal template that works for you and your freelance business — the tool is entirely up to you.

You’ll also find a free downloadable workbook under the Projects & Resources tab of this class. It’s designed to help you brainstorm and plan your proposal content step-by-step so you can confidently build your own template by the end of the class.