from Better Proposals

00: Introduction How to get the most out of Proposal Design University

01: Proposal Structure A well-written proposal needs the right content in the right order and a proper structure. Here's how to set it out.

02: Content Blocks Using Content Blocks gives you greater control over your documents' design, colors, and general look.

03: Formatting How to achieve professional, easy-to-read documents by formatting your text correctly.

04: Color Scheme How to choose the right colors for your proposals. Using just your brand colors isn't always the best way. Here's how to do it right.

05: Imagery The best way to add style, depth, and wow factor to your proposals is by adding some ambient imagery. Here is how to do it.

06: Videos There is only one thing cooler than an image - a video. Follow our guidelines and find out how to add them to your proposals and documents.

07: Design Details You can quickly add visual appeal to your documents by choosing from various trims and background patterns. Learn how to take your sales documents up a level.

from Better Proposals

00: Introduction How to get the most out of Proposal Design University

01: Proposal Structure A well-written proposal needs the right content in the right order and a proper structure. Here's how to set it out.

02: Content Blocks Using Content Blocks gives you greater control over your documents' design, colors, and general look.

03: Formatting How to achieve professional, easy-to-read documents by formatting your text correctly.

04: Color Scheme How to choose the right colors for your proposals. Using just your brand colors isn't always the best way. Here's how to do it right.

05: Imagery The best way to add style, depth, and wow factor to your proposals is by adding some ambient imagery. Here is how to do it.

06: Videos There is only one thing cooler than an image - a video. Follow our guidelines and find out how to add them to your proposals and documents.

07: Design Details You can quickly add visual appeal to your documents by choosing from various trims and background patterns. Learn how to take your sales documents up a level.

Congratulations

Getting started

Introduction

This short course will teach you how to create impressive-looking documents and get your existing content from Word, Pages, or Sheets into Better Proposals.

Take a closer look and master the skill of proposal writing.

Start First Lesson

Lesson 01:

Proposal Structure

A well-written proposal needs the right content in the right order and a proper structure. Here's how to set it out.

Setting up your proposal structure

The easiest way to transfer your content from anything like Microsoft Word, Google Sheets, or Pages document to something that looks smart is by setting up a proper structure.

Break your text into sections covering specific areas (like your Introduction, Services, Case study, Investment, etc.).

Create the section titles in your Better Proposals Template and start pasting in your content.

Pro tip: Six to Eight sections create the highest converting proposals.

Lesson 02:

Content Blocks

Using Content Blocks gives you greater control over your documents' design, colors, and general look.

Divide your proposals into the right blocks

Similar to creating sections - dividing your text into content blocks makes neat-looking, easy-to-read documents.

Don't reinvent the wheel every time you start something new. Instead, click save on the blocks you will use the most, and you'll have the new document completed in a fraction of the time.

Pro tip: Long walls of text tend to look dull and hard to read - break up your text into multiple Content Blocks and use titles and bullet points to keep things looking fresh.

Lesson 03:

Formatting Text

How to achieve professional, easy-to-read documents by formatting your text correctly.

Setting up consistent text formatting

To make sure your documents look consistent and tidy, set up your fonts in advance by clicking on settings and selecting the branding option.

For additional text formatting, simply highlight the part you want to change, and the menu will pop right up.

To make your content stand out even more, create columns with text and images side to side so those special pages will look more interesting.

Pro tip: Wide mode and 2 columns is excellent for a "Meet the team" section.

Lesson 04:

Color Scheme

How to choose the right colors for your proposals. Using just your brand colors isn't always the best way. Here's how to do it right.

Let's add some color

Learn how to choose and use the colors that will compliment your existing brand style. Build up your color pallet and find out the best ways to use accent colors without it looking like a Crayola factory.

And remember, don't go overboard!

Pro tip: Use the four color rule: one light, one dark, and two brand colors to create the perfect pallet that will compliment your brand guide. Use the brand colors for section titles and accent colors for testimonials or call to action.

Lesson 05:

Imagery

The best way to add style, depth, and wow factor to your proposals is by adding some ambient imagery. Here is how to do it.

Using images in a visually appealing way

Adding images ensures your documents are attractive, easy to read, and visually appealing.

There are three ways to bring your documents to the next level by adding images:

Adding the full-width images
Adding images inside the content blocks
Adding background images

Watch the video to find out more about grasping your customers with great-looking documents.

Pro tip: Use filter colors - wash up your background images to avoid leaving that "over-the-top" impression.

Lesson 06:

Videos

There is only one thing cooler than an image - a video. Follow our guidelines and find out how to add them to your proposals and documents.

Using videos in your proposals

Adding dynamic content to your Better Proposals documents is easier than ever.

Here are two ways for uploading and adding a video to your documents:

By adding a video block - perfect for case studies and those "before and after" shots
By adding a background video - for enhancing those special sections

Adding interactive content transforms your documents into communication tools that share information in a more powerful and engaging way.

Pro tip: Timelapse videos are perfect for backgrounds.

Lesson 07:

Design Details

You can quickly add visual appeal to your documents by choosing from various trims and background patterns. Learn how to take your sales documents up a level.

Taking the design up a level

Gain complete creative control over how your content appears with various design options that make your documents look professional and polished.

Use the subtle background patterns behind the content to add to the general vibe of your document
Merge two content blocks with different pre-designed trims

Pro tip: Tick the animation box and make certain things pop by animating a piece of content in your Better Proposals documents.

You've graduated

Congratulations!

You've successfully graduated from Proposal Design University. You can refer to this anytime you like but you have all the tools now to create a World-Class Proposal.