Does using templates make me look generic?

No. Clients don't read your "About Me" section. They read the Scope of Work. By using templates for the boring stuff (setup, QA, delivery), you have more time to write high-quality custom notes in the sections that actually matter to them.

What if the project is totally unique?

Even unique projects have standard parts. You still need a deposit. You still need a timeline. Use presets for the structure, and build the custom line items from scratch. It's still 50% faster.

Speed as a Strategy: The 15-Minute Proposal Workflow

Introduction

There is a golden rule in sales: Time kills all deals.

The longer the gap between the "high" of a great discovery call and the arrival of your proposal, the colder the lead gets.

1 Hour Delay: Client is still excited.
24 Hour Delay: Client is comparing you to competitors.
3 Day Delay: Client has forgotten why they liked you.

Most freelancers take 2-3 hours to write a custom proposal. This means they procrastinate doing it. Which leads to delays.

What if you could build a custom, high-value proposal in 15 minutes?

Why We Are Slow

We are slow because we try to be "custom" from scratch.

We open a blank Google Doc. We copy-paste text from an old PDF. We find-and-replace the client's name (and hope we didn't miss one). We recalculate the pricing manually.

This is not custom work. This is manual labor.

True customization is about the strategy, not the boilerplate text.

The Component Mindset

Software engineers don't rewrite the code for a button every time they build a website. They use a component library.

Freelancers should do the same.

Your services are likely 80% standard and 20% custom.

You always have a "Kickoff Phase."
You always have a "Strategy Phase."
You always have standard "Terms & Conditions."

In Manager List, we call these Presets.

A Preset is a pre-built block of items, descriptions, and prices. You build it once in your Library, and you use it forever.

The 15-Minute Workflow

Here is how you execute the speed strategy:

Minute 0-5: The Setup

Open a new Client Space. Load your "Standard Project" Preset.

Boom. 80% of the proposal is done. The structure is there. The standard services are there.

Minute 5-10: The Customization

This is where you add value.

Rename "Phase 1" to "Audit of [Client Website Name]."
Add a specific "Goal" note: "Objective: Increase conversion by 15%."
Adjust the timeline to match their launch date.

Minute 10-15: The Review

Check the pricing. Maybe add a "Rush Fee" line item if they need it fast. Toggle off the "Maintenance Retainer" but keep it visible as an upsell.

Send.

You just sent a detailed, personalized proposal while the client is still checking their email.

Conclusion

Speed signals competence.

When you reply instantly with a polished document, the client thinks: *"If they are this organized with the proposal, they will be organized with the project."

Don't be the freelancer who sends the proposal on Friday. Be the one who sends it before the Zoom call ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does using templates make me look generic?: No. Clients don't read your "About Me" section. They read the Scope of Work. By using templates for the boring stuff (setup, QA, delivery), you have more time to write high-quality custom notes in the sections that actually matter to them.
What if the project is totally unique?: Even unique projects have standard parts. You still need a deposit. You still need a timeline. Use presets for the structure, and build the custom line items from scratch. It's still 50% faster.