Proposals & Procrastination
How long does it take to send a proposal once your client meeting or call is complete? How long should it take? We’ve been doing some informal polling and there really is no standard answer. The majority of floral designers we’ve spoken to try really hard to get a proposal out in 1-2 weeks.
We all have great intentions and let’s face it, the person who feels like your ideal client (you know the one - you get so excited about the design while you’re talking and the budget is a match- yay!) they’ll get their proposal fairly quickly.
Take it from me, a semi recovered master procrastinator, the longer you delay or postpone writing that proposal, the harder it gets. Sometimes the thought of writing a proposal for a lovely client who has great vision but only half the budget that it would require makes us put it off for over a week - and more
This past year I started getting my clients proposals in just 2-3 days and now likely the same day as the day I speak to them. Clients want to book their vendors! Very often wedding couples book the first to deliver a professional, gorgeous proposal.
I have to admit it’s gotten easier since we created Let's Propose! I write proposals for other florists and we guarantee a quick turn around so I’ve changed my ways.
Here are my top tips for getting a proposal back to your client the same day:
Invest in a Floral Design proposal platform - a software platform designed just for florists is essential to getting proposals done quickly and efficiently
Schedule a phone call instead of an in person meeting - This enables you to be succinct, get to the point and take notes right into your platform as you talk. Times have changed - today’s couples value saving time and making things easy.
Wear headphones or earbuds - it frees up your hands for typing!
Block out one hour (or more) for the meeting on your schedule - keeping the consult to 30-40 minutes enables you to get to know your client and get the details you need. Let your client know that you’ll be talking from 10-10:30 ahead of time.
Prepare for the meeting - collect and download your client’s images and important info into your software platform’s worksheet, make sure it’s set up with your minimum or average pricing per item, put other important keywords into your notes.
Type in notes to your platform while on the phone - you don’t have to type every word, I always let my clients know I’m doing this so they know ahead of time if there are any awkward pauses.
Spend 30-35 minutes on the phone - Stay focused!
Sit at your desk and complete the proposal as soon as you hang up - You’ll remember all the details so much better. Just do it, finish the proposal or at least get it 90% done
Don’t make any promises - I tell my clients I’ll get the proposal to them by the week’s end or another non specific time (beginning of next week, etc) then when they get it the same day or the next day, you’ve shown you can deliver beyond their expectations.
Create a little FOMO - It’s proposal season, let your clients know at the beginning of the call that it’s proposal season, bookings are going quickly, your calendar is filling quickly and that you are unable to hold any dates without a signed agreement and a paid retainer.
And don’t forget, if you need help, we’re here. We can write your proposals so you can book up your calendar quickly.