7 Things to Consider Before Sending Out Your Video Proposal 

Posted by Didi Inuk | April 4, 2023 | All, freelancing
Prospero - 7 Things to Consider Before Sending Out Your Video Proposal

Are you looking to impress your clients and close more deals? Do you need to create a video proposal and are not sure how to go about it? 

Video proposals are a great way to present yourself, the business, and your message to impress your clients and win more projects. A video proposal helps you get your ideas across to potential clients. However, creating a winning video proposal requires careful planning and consideration. 

Do you want to send out a business proposal with an embedded video link? Or do you want to send a visually-appealing video that showcases your company’s skills firsthand? 

Questions about format, structure and content may swirl around in your head, making you a little bit agitated. But there’s no need to worry as we’ll go over the seven critical things you should consider before sending your video proposal to a potential client. 

Mastering Your Video Proposal: 7 Critical Elements You Need to Know

Know Your Audience

Picture this: you’ve spent countless hours crafting the perfect video proposal. You hit send and wait anxiously for a response, but you don’t get one. What went wrong?

One of the main reasons for not getting responses from potential clients is not taking the time to know your audience. Sending a generic video proposal is like going to a party wearing the same outfit as everyone else. Your video proposal should make the potential client feel like you’re speaking directly to them and addressing their issues.

Knowing your audience is critical to creating a compelling video proposal to help you win more projects. Put yourself in the client’s shoes and think about who they are, what they need, and how you can use your skills and expertise to take their business to the next level. 

If you don’t know much about your potential client and their needs, it’s like trying to hit a bullseye with a blindfold on – pretty darn difficult. Your video proposal could flop like a fish out of the water if you’re not sure what the client wants. That’s where understanding your client’s preferences and interests comes in. 

After understanding what the client is all about, you can customize your proposal to fit their needs. It’s a surefire way to get their attention and make them say, “wow.”

Don’t rush this step in a bid to pump out a quick video proposal. Learn more about the potential client by taking some time to conduct research. Visit their website, stalk their social media profiles, and check the latest press releases. 

Don’t be the snooze-fest guy, and make sure to personalize your video proposal to watch the magic happen.

Define Your Message

You must be crystal clear if you want your video proposal to hit home with your client. Don’t confuse the potential client to the point where they bail on you mid-proposal. Yikes! 

It’s time to take a step back and question yourself. What do you want to achieve with this video proposal, or what message are you trying to convey? Are you trying to partner on a future product or sell a service to your client? 

After figuring out what you want to convey:

  1. Keep it concise and to the point.
  2. Don’t throw too much information at the client, as it can overwhelm them.
  3. Stick to key points that will resonate with them, and don’t go off on tangents! 

Stay focused on your main message, and don’t let other ideas distract you. Keeping it simple and effective is the best way to close deals and win more clients.

Establish Credibility

To convince the client that you’re the right person for the job, you must show that you have the necessary skills or experience to address their needs. In other words, you need to establish credibility. 

The client should know from the video proposal that you have the expertise and you know the ins and outs to help them out. Remember, without credibility, you’re just another person trying to waste the client’s time. 

Share relevant experiences that speak to the client’s unique situation, highlight your previous work, and explain how your skills can solve their problems. 

If you’re bringing a killer team with you, make sure to highlight each member’s strengths and expertise to build trust and confidence in your ability to knock it out of the park.

Outline Your Approach

Your video proposal must hit all the right spots, which can be challenging but not impossible. After you define your message and establish credibility, the potential client is expecting how you’re going to execute the task. You must provide the client with a clear roadmap on how you plan to make it all happen.

Another key consideration in outlining your approach is how you plan to film, edit, and deliver your final video proposal. You’ll want to consider the nitty-gritty of your approach. Are you going to add some infographics or go for a more polished, professional look with sound effects and smooth cuts? 

There are many ways to approach filming, editing, and delivering the final product. By knowing your audience inside and out, you’ll be able to satisfy all their concerns before they say “yes” to your killer proposal.

Consider the Logistics

Before creating a video proposal to send to the clients, you must consider the logistics of the project. It is essential for you to set the budget for the video proposal and the timeline that you expect to put the final video out. 

During this stage, you may encounter potential issues or hurdles to the project, which is why you must also have the plan to address those before these roadblocks become major problems to your project. 

Depending on the project, you may require help from other third-party vendors or contractors. Unclear objectives can lead to costly mistakes or even extend the timeline of the project, affecting your schedule and plans. 

You must take time out of your busy routine and sit with the third-party contractor or vendor to discuss the project’s scope so that both parties are on the same page before filming the video. 

Review and Revise

Once the filming of the video is complete, you must review and revise the proposal to check for errors or inconsistencies before sending it to potential clients. 

The best way to review the video proposal is to show it to a team member or a colleague to get a different perspective. A fresh opinion on your video proposal can help you understand what you need to change to have a winning video proposal. 

During the review stage, make sure you’re also on the lookout for a few important things, such as: 

  • Is the video concise?
  • Does the video deliver your message in the right tone?
  • Is the video easy to understand?
  • Does it look professional? 

Make the necessary changes before sending it to the client. Remember, you only get one shot at impressing the client and closing the deal. Are you going to risk it by sending a proposal that you feel requires some editing? 

Choose the Right Communication Method

After reviewing and editing the video proposal, it is time to decide on the mode of communication. There are two modes of communication, and these include synchronous and asynchronous communication. Depending on your client and their preferences, you will have to decide between synchronous and asynchronous communication. 

Synchronous communications are real-time interactions by phone, video, or in person. You could have a video conferencing call with the client to introduce yourself and what you do and deliver your video proposal. It is also a great way to answer any questions the client may have. Synchronous communication can help build a personal connection with the clients. 

On the other hand, asynchronous communications happen on your own time and don’t need scheduling. Some examples of asynchronous communications include emails, direct messages, shared document comments, and project management tools. 

Asynchronous communications allow you to communicate at your own pace and provide detailed information and documentation while allowing the client to review your video proposal at their convenience. 

Both synchronous and asynchronous communication have their benefits and drawbacks. You must assess your client’s preferences and the nature of your video proposal before deciding on the type of communication to proceed with. 

Conclusion

Gone are the days when businesses would send potential clients proposals in the form of documents and piles of paperwork. Today, the average attention span of a human is shorter than that of a goldfish (9 seconds). 

Video proposals have become increasingly popular in today’s digital age as it helps engage your clients quicker and send your message across. It is a powerful tool and a great way to introduce yourself, pitch ideas, and win clients. However, creating a successful video proposal takes more than just hitting the record on your camera.

First, you need to know your audience and understand their needs. Then, you can define your message, establish your credibility, and outline your approach. To truly stand out from the competition, you must have a plan, allocate a budget, and set a timeline. Once you’ve filmed the video, it’s time to review and revise your proposal before delivering it in the best way possible. Make sure you effectively follow up on your proposal a few days down the line.

By following these seven steps, you can create a compelling video proposal that captures your potential client’s attention, showcases your skills, and ultimately helps you close more deals. What are you waiting for? Lights, camera, action!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Idongesit ‘Didi’ Inuk is a Content Marketer at Prospero. She has a passion for leveraging content to drive meaningful conversations and help her clients reach their goals. When she's not creating content, Didi spends her time reading, watching series, or trying new cuisines.