How to Use Our One-Page Proposal Template to Win Deals

A one-page proposal is a single-page document that outlines the value, scope, and terms of a deal you’ve already discussed with a potential buyer. In sales, it’s most often used late in the buying process to confirm alignment, reduce uncertainty, and clarify the next steps without overwhelming the prospect with a lengthy proposal.

To help you do that, I have created a free one-page proposal template that you can download in multiple formats and edit to fit your needs. It’s completely customizable and designed specifically for sales conversations.

This guide also includes a walkthrough of when to use a one-page proposal, how to customize each section, and best practices for using it to close deals faster.

While using a generic template can be convenient, taking the extra step to custom-design your one-page proposal can truly make it stand out and capture attention. Explore the talent available on Fiverr, a dynamic marketplace where skilled designers offer bespoke proposal designs at an affordable price.

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Why one-page proposals win deals 

A one-page proposal is a brief sales document used late in the buying process to outline the deal terms with a prospective customer. These proposals are often used when a longer proposal isn’t needed and can be shared as an email attachment, sent as a PDF, or even included directly in the body of an email. 

Typically, a one-pager includes the following sections: proposal scope, deal overview, deliverables, timeline, pricing, terms, next steps, and contact information.

Because one-page proposals focus only on the essentials, they’re especially effective for closing deals quickly with qualified or familiar prospects. Unlike full business proposals, one-pagers leave out background details like your business’s credentials or executive summaries. 

This streamlined format makes proposals easier to create, review, and approve, helping speed up the sales cycle.

When to use a one-page proposal for sales

A one-page proposal works best when a deal is already well understood, and the buyer doesn’t need extensive background information to move forward. In these situations, a short proposal helps confirm alignment, reduce friction, and keep the sales process moving without unnecessary delays.

A one-page proposal is a good fit when:

• Your offer has a relatively small price tag. If the cost is small relative to the prospect’s budget or revenue, a full proposal may feel excessive. For example, a freelancer pitching a $1,000 content package or a vendor offering a limited scope service can often close with a one-pager.
• You have a strong relationship with the prospect. One-page proposals work well for existing clients, repeat buyers, or prospects who have been thoroughly qualified and nurtured. When trust is already established, buyers typically don’t need a long document to make a decision. 
• The scope of the deal is straightforward. If what you're selling is easy to understand, like a clearly defined service package or a specific quantity of products, a single page is often enough to outline the details and pricing. 
• The prospect asks for a one-page summary. In some cases, buyers explicitly request a one-page document they can quickly review or share internally. A one-pager provides a clear summary of the deal without additional explanation.

Download the free one-page proposal template

Here, I have included the free one-page proposal template, which you can download in multiple formats and edit to fit your needs. It’s fully customizable and designed to be personalized for your client.

I’ve also included the corresponding examples from the template in the section below, so you have a better idea of what’s included and how to use it.

What’s included in our one-page proposal template

Although your one-page proposal should be personalized for each deal, most high-converting one-page proposals follow the same basic structure. The goal is to give your buyer a clear, scannable summary of what they’re getting, how it will be delivered, what it costs, and what happens next. 

Therefore, our downloadable one-page proposal template includes the key sections below. As you customize it, keep the language buyer-focused and specific to the deal you’re proposing.

Title and subtitle

Your title and subtitle should clearly communicate what the proposal is and who it’s for. Buyers should be able to understand the deal at a glance, so keep it short and to the point (especially if they’re forwarding it internally for approval).

Project scope and deal overview

This section confirms what your one-page proposal will cover and summarizes the deal in plain language. The scope sets expectations about what’s included, while the overview reinforces the buyer’s goal, the problem you’re solving, and the outcomes they can expect. 

Depending on the deal, these elements can be combined or kept separate in their own sections.

Deliverables, timelines, and pricing

This is where you spell out exactly what the buyer will receive, when they’ll receive it, and how pricing is structured. The easiest way to keep this clear is to use a table that lists each deliverable or phase along with its timeline and cost. At the end, include a total so the buyer can quickly confirm the full investment.

Deal terms

After the deliverables and pricing are clearly stated, outline the commercial terms of the deal. This typically includes payment terms and any key expectations or assumptions (such as required access, approvals, or dependencies). For more complex legal language, many sellers reference a separate contract and keep this section focused on the basics.

Next steps and contact information

Conclude with a clear call to action so the buyer knows exactly what to do next, such as scheduling a meeting to review and approve the proposal or sign the contract. Then include your contact information so they can reach out with any questions, and make it clear who is responsible for the next step.

With clear, concise messaging, all of these sections can fit on one page. Since space is limited, focus on clarity over detail, then use the next section for step-by-step instructions on customizing each part of the template to close the deal.

5 steps to using the one-page sales proposal template

An effective one-page proposal should help you close the deal, not create more questions, so here are five core steps that ensure your one-page proposal answers all of the questions prospects need resolved before moving forward. 

Step 1: Confirm the details 

Before you start filling out the template, take a moment to review everything that’s already been discussed and agreed to. A one-page proposal is a deal confirmation document, not a discovery tool, so introducing new information here can slow things down. 

Gather and prioritize:

• The buyer’s primary goal or desired outcome
• What’s included (and excluded) from the deal
• The expected timeline
• Pricing or pricing range
• What you need from the buyers to move forward

This process will help you organize and prioritize your details before you sit down to write your proposal. Once you have this information in front of you, highlight only what’s most relevant to the buyer. Your goal is to fit the essentials onto one page without sacrificing clarity. 

Step 2: Frame the deal 

Your prospect is likely busy, especially if they are a high-level executive who asked you to send them just one page. The title and scope should make it immediately clear what the deal is and why the document matters.

Use this section to:

• Write a buyer-specific title that clearly names the deal.
• Briefly state what the proposal covers and what outcomes it supports.

In just a few lines, the buyer should understand what they’re reviewing and what problem the proposal is meant to solve. 

Step 3: Show the value at a glance 

This is the heart of your one-page proposal. Start with a short overview that explains the buyer’s challenge, your approach, and the outcome they can expect. Keep the focus on their goals and use the language and terminology from your previous conversations.

Next, clearly outline what the buyer will receive by listing deliverables alongside the timeline and pricing. As seen in the template, a table works best here because it saves space and makes the proposal easier to scan, understand, and approve.

This step should answer the buyer’s biggest questions:

• Does this product or service meet our specific needs? 
• Does the approach or strategy make sense?
• What exactly are we getting, and when?

Step 4: Set expectations without slowing the deal 

Once the value and pricing are clear, use the terms section to remove uncertainty. This step is about confirming shared expectations, so there are no surprises after approval.

To keep this section effective:

• Stick to the essentials the buyer needs to know to say yes.
• Call out any assumptions or dependencies that could impact delivery.
• Use plain language and avoid heavy legal jargon.

If the deal requires detailed legal terms, reference a separate contract for detailed terms and use this section to focus on commercial clarity.

Step 5: Drive the next step

The final step of your one-page proposal should tell the buyer exactly how to move forward. Avoid vague language or multiple calls to action that could stall momentum.

Close the document by:

• Asking for one specific next step.
• Making it clear who owns that step.
• Providing an easy way to respond or approve.

A strong one-page proposal removes uncertainty, and a clear next step keeps the deal moving forward. 

Real-world use cases for one-page proposals 

One-page proposals are especially effective in B2B sales and marketing environments where buyers want clarity without unnecessary details. Below are four common scenarios where a one-page proposal template works well, along with tips for tailoring it to each use case.

Example 1: Product one-pager

Use case: Selling a specific product, feature bundle, or SKU to a qualified prospect.

A product one-pager clearly outlines what the product includes, how it solves the buyer’s problem, and what it costs. The goal is to give the buyer a concise summary they can quickly review or share internally.

How to customize the template:

• Use the overview to connect the product to the buyer’s primary pain point.
• List product components or features as deliverables.
• Keep pricing and terms straightforward to speed up approval.

This format works best when the buyer already understands the product category and just needs confirmation to move forward.

Example 2: B2B one-pager

Use cases: Selling a multi-stakeholder B2B solution that needs internal buy-in.

In B2B sales, proposals are often shared with multiple decision makers. A one-page proposal helps align stakeholders by clearly summarizing the deal's value, scope, and commercial terms.

How to customize the template:

• Focus the overview on business outcomes rather than features.
• Use the deliverables section to show how value will be delivered over time.
• Keep language simple and jargon-free for easy internal sharing.

This type of one-pager is ideal when your main contact needs a clear document to champion the deal internally.

Example 3: Marketing one-pager 

Use cases: Proposing a campaign, service package, or ongoing marketing engagement.

Marketing one-pagers should emphasize strategy, deliverables, and measurable outcomes. Buyers want to understand what’s being executed, how success will be measured, and what they’re investing in.

How to customize the template:

• Outline the campaign goals and target outcomes in the overview.
• Break deliverables into phases or channels.
• Clarify timelines and pricing to set realistic expectations.

This approach works well for agencies, in-house marketing teams, and vendors selling marketing services.

Example 4: Consulting services one-pager

Use cases: Selling advisory services, assessments, or short-term consulting engagements.

For consulting services, a one-page proposal should clearly define the scope and expectations to avoid misunderstandings. The focus should be on outcomes, deliverables, and how the engagement will be structured.

How to customize the template:

• Clearly define what is and is not included in the scope.
• Use deliverables to outline key milestones or workstreams.
• Include client success stories or demonstrable examples of your services. 

Consulting one-page proposals work best when the engagement is well-defined, and the buyer wants a clear written summary before signing. 

Best practices for high-converting one-page sales proposals

Once you’ve customized your one-page proposal template for a specific deal, there are some best practices that can help it stand out and convert more consistently. Let’s go over three of the most impactful proposal tips that focus on clarity, readability, and ease of action.

Once you create a properly formatted template or complete one-page proposal and become familiar with your new software, you will find it easier to develop future one-page proposals for prospects and clients.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Bottom line

A well-crafted one-page proposal can be the final step in closing your deal. By clearly defining the deal, showing the value at a glance, and outlining next steps, you make it easier for buyers to feel ready to sign. If you’re ready to put this into practice, download the one-page proposal template and customize it for your next opportunity. For additional guidance on moving prospects from interest to commitment, check out our guide on how to close a sale.