Writing Social Media Proposals That Stand Out (+ Examples)

Learn how to write a social media advertising proposal with our guide. Get templates and examples that'll secure clients for your agency or freelance business.

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Short answer

What is a social media proposal?

A social media proposal is a strategic plan for managing and executing a client's social media campaign. It details goals, tactics, timelines, and success metrics, essential for any marketing agency or freelancer offering advertising services.

A solid strategy is not enough to get the deal if you present it like everyone else

Landing new clients feels like a constant uphill battle, doesn't it? And once you've got them, the real challenge begins: keeping them hooked.

If you're running an agency or freelancing, you're living this reality every day. It's that never-ending hustle, the daily grind to prove your worth in a sea of competitors.

You know you've got serious value to offer. But how do you get your clients to recognize that?

Turns out that there’s a set of basic actions you need to take to set yourself apart and demonstrate higher value to your customers.

I will take you through what you need to do based on our extensive data from analyzing over 100K proposal sessions.

We’ve seen our clients apply these principles and increase their success rate again and again.

What to include in a social media proposal?

A well-structured social media proposal can turn skepticism into excitement and doubt into trust.

It's about blending your expertise with the client's unique needs to paint a vivid picture of success that your clients can almost reach out and touch.

Here’s what you need to include to make it happen.

12 required slides of a social media proposal:

1. Introduction: Start by introducing yourself and your expertise in social media, setting the tone for a proposal that reflects a deep understanding of digital marketing strategies.
2. Executive summary: Begin with a clear, engaging overview of what you're offering and the value it brings.
3. Client analysis: Show your deep understanding of the client's current social media status, challenges, and aspirations.
4. Goals and objectives: Clearly articulate the specific outcomes your client can expect, aligning with their broader goals.
5. Strategy and tactics: Detail your approach and how your chosen tactics will effectively reach the set objectives.
6. Content plan: Outline the types of content you'll create, including themes, formats, and posting frequency.
7. Timeline: Provide a phased timeline, offering a clear view of the project's progression and milestones.
8. Budget and pricing: Present a transparent breakdown of costs, ensuring clarity and avoiding future misunderstandings.
9. Metrics for success: Define the metrics you'll use to measure and report the effectiveness of your strategies.
10. Case studies or examples: Include past successes to demonstrate your experience and build trust.
11. Terms and conditions: Clearly state the legal and contractual aspects, including scope, payment terms, and other details.
12. Next steps: Encourage the reader to take action by accepting the proposal, scheduling a meeting, or outlining the steps for implementation and collaboration.

Sounds like a lot to take in? Well, it is. But if you stick around, I'll break it down into small, actionable steps that you need to follow to build an effective social media proposal.

What is the best social media proposal format?

In the world of social media, your proposal should be as lively and engaging as the platforms themselves.

You may still be clinging to the safety of static decks - PDFs, Word documents, and basic PowerPoints. These formats are popular choice because they're familiar and straightforward.

But, they lack responsive design, leading to a frustrating experience of pinching and zooming on mobile screens.

On the other hand, interactive formats provide a seamless experience across all devices. They enhance usability and make you look good.

They also allow for dynamic storytelling, incorporating elements like clickable tabs, embedded videos, and animations.

In a nutshell, interactive formats offer an immersive experience static documents simply can't match.

So, what do these interactive formats look like?

Here's a great example:

Here’s a comparison of the most common formats:

Social media proposal examples that get clients to say ‘Yes’

The right proposal can be the difference between a potential client's indecision and an enthusiastic 'Yes'.

Here are 6 standout social media proposal examples, each uniquely designed to capture attention, convey expertise, and demonstrate value.

Social media proposal deck

This proposal deck is a masterclass in blending strategic foresight with visually compelling elements, setting the stage for a marketing campaign that resonates with both logic and creativity.

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What makes this social media proposal great:

• The deck allows quick customization with dynamic variables for each client.
• It presents data interactively with running numbers, making statistics more engaging.
• Multiple CTAs are included, offering various pathways for client engagement.

Social media optimization proposal

Tailored to showcase the full spectrum of optimization strategies, this proposal serves as a comprehensive guide, illustrating how to elevate a brand's social media presence with precision and innovation.

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What makes this social media proposal great:

• It incorporates data visualization components, making complex information clear and engaging.
• The design strategically guides attention using grayed-out content.
• Case studies are neatly organized in tabs, allowing for easy access and readability.

Social media plan proposal

Crafted for the strategic minds in social media marketing, this proposal is a blueprint for success, detailing how to orchestrate effective campaigns that marry data-driven insights with creative execution.

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What makes this social media proposal great:

• It offers the ability to extract branding from a client's website, ensuring a personalized touch.
• Expandable text sections are included, offering detailed information without overwhelming the reader.
• An option to include a custom video when sharing the deck is available, adding a personal touch based on initial client interactions.

Social media campaign proposal

Designed for the savvy digital marketer, this proposal template is a toolkit for success, showcasing how to weave compelling narratives with measurable outcomes in the ever-evolving social media trends and landscape.

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What makes this social media proposal great:

• The proposal features a timeline slide, clearly outlining the campaign process.
• A transparent pricing slide is included, offering straightforward cost explanations.
• Embedding case studies or live data is possible, enhancing credibility and real-world relevance.

Social media agency proposal

Ideal for forward-thinking agencies, this proposal is a testament to strategic creativity, demonstrating how to craft targeted campaigns that not only speak to the audience but also drive tangible results.

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What makes this social media proposal great:

• Its scroll-based design enhances user experience, making information easily accessible.
• Details can be edited post-send, offering flexibility and adaptability.
• All elements automatically adjust to the layout, ensuring a consistent and professional appearance.

Social media advertising proposal

This proposal is a comprehensive toolkit for agencies aiming to showcase their expertise in social media advertising, blending innovative strategies with measurable metrics to paint a picture of success and growth.

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What makes this social media proposal great:

• The proposal balances text and image-based slides, ensuring visual appeal and clarity.
• An analytics panel is accessible, providing insights into client interactions.
• AI-assisted content generation is available, enhancing the relevance and impact of the proposal.

How to write a social media proposal that moves the needle

So, you've seen some examples of winning social media proposals.

But here comes the tricky part: how do you actually build a winning social media agency proposal from scratch? How do you create a narrative that connects with your client’s needs and showcases your ability to deliver results?

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to achieve it:

1) Understand the client’s needs

When you're putting together a social media proposal, the first step is really getting to know what your client wants and who they're trying to reach.

Take a look at their current social media pages. What's getting likes, shares, or sparking conversations? This is like detective work – you're looking for clues about what their audience loves.

Also, see if you can find any industry reports or surveys that give you a sneak peek into the habits and likes of their target market.

By connecting these dots, you can tailor your proposal to fit perfectly with what the client needs and what their audience enjoys.

2) Analyze the competition

Conducting a competitive analysis is a vital step in your proposal process.

To effectively analyze competitors, begin by identifying key players in your client's industry on social media. Follow their accounts, observe their content strategy, engagement patterns, and audience reactions.

Utilize social media analytics tools to gather data on their most successful posts and campaigns. This approach reveals what's working well for others in the industry and helps in spotting gaps and opportunities that your client can capitalize on to stand out.

3) Set clear, achievable goals

Crafting a social media strategy is a bit like planning a road trip. You need clear, achievable destinations to make sure you're heading in the right direction.

That's where SMART goals come into play in your proposal. They're like your GPS for success – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Imagine your client wants to jazz up their Instagram presence. A SMART goal here isn’t just about saying, “Let’s get more likes.” It’s more specific, like: “Boost Instagram engagement by 200% within 6 months.”

Why are SMART goals so crucial? They cut through the fluff and give you and your client a clear roadmap to follow. It builds a foundation of trust with your client, showing them that you’re not just about big talk – you’re about real, measurable results.

Plus, it keeps everyone on the same page, focused on targets that are not just dreamy but doable.

If you want to learn more, here’s a great resource on how to set social media goals: