Freelance Proposal Template and How to Set Your Rate
Most freelancers lose money in two places: guessing their rate and sending weak proposals.
Work out your minimum rate
- Yearly income goal + yearly business costs = target revenue.
- Billable hours per year: realistically 20–25 a week × 46 weeks.
- Target revenue ÷ billable hours = your minimum hourly rate.
- Quote projects by value and scope, using this rate only as a floor.
Proposal structure
- Their problem, in their words.
- The outcome you'll deliver and by when.
- Scope: what's included and what isn't.
- Price, payment terms and deposit.
- One clear next step to accept.