Proposal Versioning: Keep, Clone, or Delete?
As a freelancer or agency, proposal writing is a significant part of your routine. It's how you pitch your skills and services to potential clients on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer.com, and Fiverr. But after writing countless proposals, you might be left wondering: should you keep, clone, or delete your past proposals? This article will guide you through the ins and outs of proposal versioning, helping you decide when to reuse, modify, or discard old proposals.
Understanding Proposal Versioning
Proposal versioning is the process of managing and modifying your proposals over time. It involves deciding whether to keep a proposal as is, clone it for slight modifications, or delete it entirely.
This process is essential because it helps you:
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Save time: By reusing or modifying successful proposals, you can cut down on the writing time while maintaining a high success rate.
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Improve your proposal quality: Keeping track of your proposals allows you to identify what works and what doesn't, thereby helping you improve future proposals.
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Stay organized: De-cluttering your proposal portfolio makes it easier for you to navigate and find past proposals.
When to Keep, Clone, or Delete a Proposal
1. When to Keep a Proposal
You should consider keeping a proposal unchanged if:
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It has a high success rate. If the proposal led to a contract multiple times, it's a sign that it's effective.
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The job posts are identical. If you're responding to a very similar job post as one you've previously successfully applied to, reusing the proposal can be advantageous.
For example, let's say you're a freelance graphic designer and you've previously written a successful proposal for a logo design job. You come across a similar job post. Here, it would be effective to reuse your proposal, perhaps with minor tweaks to address the specific needs of the new client.
2. When to Clone a Proposal
Cloning involves making a copy of a proposal and adjusting it to suit a new job post. You should consider cloning a proposal if:
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The job posts are similar but not identical. If the new job post has some similarities to a previous one, but with additional requirements or variations, cloning and modifying the proposal can save you time while also ensuring relevance.
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The proposal was moderately successful. If the proposal led to some contracts but not others, it might be worth tweaking to improve its effectiveness.
For example, if you're a freelance writer who has written a successful proposal for a blog writing job, you might clone and modify this proposal when applying for an article writing job. You would keep the parts about your writing skills and experience, but modify the parts addressing the specific type of content.
3. When to Delete a Proposal
You should consider deleting a proposal if:
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It has a low success rate. If the proposal rarely or never led to a contract, it might be ineffective and should be discarded.
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Your skills or services have changed. If you've switched niches or improved your skill set, old proposals may no longer represent your current offerings.
For instance, if you started as a generalist social media marketer but have now specialized in Instagram marketing, proposals focusing on your generalist skills might no longer be relevant.
Using AI for Efficient Proposal Versioning
To streamline your proposal versioning process, consider leveraging AI-powered tools. Our AI-powered proposal generator, for instance, can help you craft highly persuasive proposals tailored to different job posts. It can also help you quickly clone and modify proposals, saving you time and effort.
Key Takeaways
Effective proposal versioning can significantly boost your proposal success rate. Remember to:
- Keep proposals that have a high success rate and are relevant to identical job posts.
- Clone proposals that are moderately successful or relevant to similar job posts.
- Delete proposals that have a low success rate or are no longer relevant to your current offerings.
Being strategic about proposal versioning allows you to continually improve your proposals, win more jobs, and grow your freelance career or agency.