2,000 proposals later… here’s what actually works
Welcome to the Dojo!
A couple of months ago, a new founder, Nancy, reached out in a panic. She’d met a qualified lead, the conversation went really well, and suddenly the client asked for a proposal. She froze. She had no idea where to start or what a proposal should even look like.
It took me right back to my early days as an entrepreneur—when I didn’t know what a proposal was, what it should contain, or how to manage the entire process without losing the deal.
That conversation is what inspired me to create the longest, most comprehensive video I’ve ever published: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Proposals as a Consultant in 2026. It’s a full, one-hour breakdown my team and I worked hard to produce so we can demystify the proposal process and help you win more clients this year.
On the Mat
- Let’s Train: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Proposals as a Consultant in 2026
- Ask Feras: Rushing to “win the logo”
- Sharpen The Blade: Live AMA/Q&A session on proposals
Let's Train
This week’s edition is for every consultant who’s ever sent a proposal… and heard nothing back.
If you’ve wondered why some proposals get signed in days while others disappear into the void, you’re not alone. Across industries, 80% of proposals fail — not because the consultant isn’t good, but because the process before and after the proposal is broken.
I just released one of the most important videos I’ve made to date:
The Ultimate Guide to Writing Proposals as a Consultant in 2026
In this deep-dive, I break down the exact system I’ve used across 2,000+ proposals, over $65M in closed revenue, Fortune 50 engagements, and multi-year government contracts.
Here are a few topics I cover inside:
What a proposal actually is — and what it isn’t
Most consultants treat proposals like grand finales. They’re not. They’re mid-funnel decision accelerators.
The essential sections every proposal needs
If you miss even one, you introduce friction — and friction kills deals.
When to send a proposal (and when NOT to)
Mistime this, and even the perfect proposal won’t save the sale.
The follow-up system that stops ghosting
Proposals don’t fail because of pricing — they fail because of silence.
How to use AI to speed up and strengthen proposals
Not for shortcuts — but for clarity, consistency, and decision-maker confidence.
Navigating procurement, legal reviews, and enterprise hurdles
If you want Fortune 50 or government contracts, your proposal must survive layers of scrutiny.
Why great consultants still lose deals — and what to do about it
Objections, timing, budget freezes… this is the real world. I show you how to stay in the game.
If proposals are part of your business (and they will be, if you're serious about consulting), this is required viewing.
👉 Full guide drops this weekend — stay tuned.
Let’s make 2026 the year your proposals actually get signed.
Ask Feras Recap
Rushing to “win the logo”
🔥 The Challenge
A technically gifted founder landed a major opportunity with a property developer but had only 24 hours to submit a proposal. In the rush to “win the logo,” he was ready to take the project at any price and was obsessing over formatting instead of strategy.
🛠️ What I Told Him
Stop acting desperate. Pricing too low doesn’t make you look like a bargain—it makes you look risky and inexperienced. With unclear requirements, don’t commit to a fixed bid. Offer a Budgetary Quote instead: a realistic price range tied to an estimated timeline. You can also propose a small, paid assessment to firm up requirements and produce a documented project plan.
And before you show a single dollar figure, anchor your authority: include a brief slide on your professional pedigree and a few strong visual samples of your work. Position your value first, then present the price.
Sharpen Your Blade
This coming Tuesday Jan 27, I’m hosting a live AMA/Q&A session on proposals, where you can bring your toughest, real-world challenges and get direct guidance.
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