Sending proposals at the wrong time?
Welcome to the Dojo!
Sometimes when you finish a big project, you let out that huge sigh of relief. You have no idea how it’ll perform… but you showed up, did the work, and shipped it.
That’s me this week.
I just released the longest, most in-depth video I’ve ever made — packed with templates, tools, and even custom AI assistants to help founders write proposals that actually close.
The early response from the community has been encouraging. Now we wait and see. And like anything in business, nothing is guaranteed (though it’s always good to stay hopeful 😊). We put in the effort, release it into the world, and learn from whatever comes next.
As Ed Catmull, Pixar co-founder, said in Creativity, Inc.:
“The future is not a destination, it’s a direction… Our work is never done. We will always have problems. Constant uncertainty — accept it like accepting weather.”
On the Mat
- Let’s Train: When Should You Actually Send a Proposal?
- Ask Feras: Should I still follow up now?
- Sharpen The Blade: Proposals - a summary of the conversation, not a surprise.
Let's Train
When Should You Actually Send a Proposal? (Checklist Included)
One of the biggest mistakes new consultants make is sending the proposal way too early.
A proposal is not an opening move. It’s not something you send right after a great call. It’s a mid-funnel alignment document — and it only works when the groundwork is done.
If you send it before the client has clarity, confidence, and alignment? That’s when ghosting happens.
Below is your “Before You Send It” Proposal Checklist (the exact sequence I teach in my Ultimate Guide video).
Send your proposal only after these 12 items are complete:
1. You understand the real problem.
Not the surface symptoms. The root business issue.
2. You know their goals in their own language.
And you can mirror them in the proposal.
3. You’ve identified all key stakeholders.
Not just your point of contact — IT, finance, leadership, etc.
4. You’ve confirmed the budget “universe.”
You don’t need exact numbers, but you need the ballpark.
5. You’ve confirmed timeline urgency.
Is this a now-problem or a “maybe later” project?
6. You’ve clarified the buying process.
Who signs? Who influences? Who can stall the deal?
7. You’ve socialized the scope.
High-level deliverables discussed and agreed conceptually.
8. You’ve confirmed internal constraints.
Access, systems, resources, legal review requirements.
9. You’ve captured their desired outcomes.
What a “win” looks like to them — not what you think it looks like.
10. You’ve set expectations on when the proposal is coming.
People follow through on what they expect, not on what lands in their inbox unannounced.
11. You’ve scheduled the walk-through (or at least offered one).
This is where deals close. The proposal is the doc; you close the deal.
Ask Feras Recap
🔥The Challenge
“The client liked what I proposed but they told me to follow up at the end of the quarter. Should I push now?”
🛠️ What I Told Him
No. Respect the timing — but keep the door open.
Yes, follow-up matters (B2B deals often need 5–12 touches), but you also need to read the signal. If they gave you a specific window, don’t push past it.
Here’s what to say instead:
- Thank them for their feedback.
- Confirm you’ll follow up in the timeframe they mentioned.
- Add a gentle opener: “If anything changes before then — or if you’d like to share more details — I’m happy to hop on a quick call anytime.”
This shows professionalism and keeps you in play without being pushy.
Sharpen the Blade
Sending a proposal prematurely kills momentum, creates confusion, and leads directly to ghosting.
The proposal should feel like a summary of the conversation — not a surprise.
This is exactly what I walk you through inside:
👉 The Ultimate Guide to Writing Proposals That Close Clients in 2026
…plus templates, worksheets, and the custom AI proposal assistant.
Subscribe to the Black Belt Startup Newsletter
Weekly, 5-minute insights to help you escape the 9–5, land your first clients, and grow a thriving business.