In the past, I used to do a lot of custom work on my sales calls.
I’d create bespoke project outlines, craft detailed proposals, and design them in Canva to make them look polished and professional.
But then, something changed my approach completely.
I was chatting with a lead who seemed like the perfect client.
We hit it off immediately, and as they talked about their needs—sales leads, growth strategies—I knew I could help.
So, I decided to throw all my usual sales techniques out the window.
No traditional discovery call, no custom proposal, no lengthy meetings or free consultations.
Instead, we just had a 45-minute conversation.
At the end of it, I didn’t offer to write a proposal.
I simply shared a one-page summary from another client’s proposal and said, “We could do something like this.”
I stripped it down, removing almost everything except the essentials—here’s what I can do for you, and here’s the likely result based on what you’ve told me.
They loved it.
I said, “It’ll be a $5,000 deposit, and we can start today, with $2,000 month to month after that. How does that sound?”
Their response? “Fantastic. How do you want me to pay?”
This experience taught me something crucial: I can close high-ticket clients on the phone without ever writing a custom proposal.
Because I was confident in my ability to deliver results, that confidence spoke louder than any proposal ever could.
Now, that’s how I sell.
No custom proposals, just clear communication and a strong belief in the value I can provide.
If I have to write a custom proposal, it suggests I’m unsure of the results I can achieve.
But when I know I can deliver, I lead with that confidence—and it’s been a game-changer.
Have you ever closed a big deal with an unconventional approach?
