Why does nobody talk about how project scoping templates can backfire

I spent last week digging through my old proposals after losing a $3,200 job. I thought my templated scope was solid, but the client said it felt too rigid. I checked my analytics and found I had a 40% lower reply rate on proposals that used my standard scoping template versus ones I wrote from scratch. That stat came from a spreadsheet I keep tracking 18 months of proposals. The template made me sound like a robot. I scrapped the template and started asking more questions before writing anything. Has anyone else noticed their templated proposals getting ignored more?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor.brooke12d ago

Did you try comparing the open rates on the templated ones versus the custom ones?

flores.mark12d ago

About 18 months ago I tested two versions of the same proposal for a logo project. The templated one got a 22% open rate and the custom one hit 68% with the exact same subject line. I think the template made people feel like I was just checking boxes instead of actually listening to their problem.

sandragrant12d ago

68% sounds amazing... I still can't even get my own dog to open a treat bag without making a mess, so you're way ahead of me.