When it comes to creating and sending proposals to new clients, already having your proposal templates in Aisle Planner makes it fast and easy, so we recommend investing some time in getting your proposal templates set up. We'll walk you through the basics in this short video, you'll also find written instructions below!
(video tutorial coming soon!)
Creating Your Proposal Template
To create your first proposal template, head on over to the Settings menu, which you'll find towards the top right of your Pro Dashboard and follow the steps below!
Step 1:
Click on the Templates tab towards the top of your screen and select the Document option, which you'll see on the left.
Step 2:
Click on the gold Add New Button.
Step 3:
Chose the Proposal option from the menu.
Step 4:
The first thing you'll want to do is give your new template a name for future reference. Naming your templates is SUPER important, so you won't have any challenges finding the right template that you need down the road.
Pro Tip: Since all documents, including brochures, contracts, questionnaires AND proposals are all housed here as document templates, we recommend starting your template name with some indication of WHAT type of document this is, just to make it super easy and straightforward - and since templates are organized alphabetically, it helps to see each type of document grouped together.
For example:
Proposal // Full Service Planning
Step 5:
Add an optional description for this template.
Note: This description is completely optional and is used as an internal reference for you and your team - your clients won't have access to see this!
We recommend only adding a description if your template name isn't obvious for your team to understand what the template is for. For example, "Platinum Planning" (vs. Full Service Planning) could be confusing to certain members of your team, so you'll want to note that in the description area that the Platinum Package is for Full Service Planning.
Step 6:
Click the gold Edit Document button.
Step 7:
If you've already set up your company branding, we'll automatically pull in your company logo at the top. But if your brochure template has a great big white space at the top of your document, take a moment to head over to your branding center, where you can upload your logo for a better branded experience in Aisle Planner.
As a Side note: You also have the option to hide this heading if you prefer to get creative and use your own custom heading. Just uncheck the "Show heading" box on the brochure template set up page for this template.
Step 8:
Next, click into the editable area of the document space shown.
Step 9: Add In Your Content
This will open the document editing window for this text block, where you can add in the content of your brochure. You can type in your content from scratch, or copy and paste text into the document editor, and then use the rich text menu towards the top for formatting.
Step 10: Adding Images
In addition to text, you can also add images to this content block. To include an image, a pre-designed collage of images, a sketch or a graphic, place your cursor where you'd like to add the image file and click on the Insert Image icon from the formatting menu, then select the image file from your computer. Images will need to be in either a JPG or PNG file.
Step 11: Adding Merge Fields
You can also build in time saving merge fields into your proposal. If you build merge fields into your proposal, when you use this template to create a proposal, we'll automatically populate any fields from your lead record for you (or alert you of any incomplete fields!)
Step 12: Adding Input Fields
For information that you need from your client as they are filling out your contract, you can add in Input Fields. If you build input fields into your contract, when you use this template to create a contract, we'll automatically populate any fields from your lead record for you and, if not, clients will be asked to fill in these areas before they sign. Choose from a predetermined list of input fields or create your own with the Custom Field option.
To easily differentiate between merge fields and input fields, input fields are highlighted yellow and if you click on it, you can customize the placeholder copy.
Once you've completed your updates, click on the gold Save and Close button to close this menu and return to your contract template.
Step 13:
Once you've completed your updates, click on the gold Save and Close button to close this menu and return to your proposal template.
Step 14: Update Acceptance Text
If you'd like, you can change the font size and attributes as well as update your proposal acceptance text by clicking into the editable area shown, then typing in your updates. We recommend that you include acceptance verbiage on all proposals and contracts - don't delete this!
Step 15: Preview and Proof Your Template
Once you've added content and completed formatting, we recommend that you take the time to preview your proposal template to be sure that everything looks just right.
To preview and print, click on the gold arrow button towards the top right of your screen, then click on the Preview and Print button.
Pro Tips:
-Keep in mind that merge fields won't be populated with actual data at this point!
-While we'll show you a preview of what your clients see when you send them this digital proposal, we recommend that you take the extra steps to view this proposal template as a PDF to ensure that page breaks are exactly where you want them. Learn more about adding page breaks here.
Step 16:
Now that you're set, click on the gold Done button to your top left, and you're set!
What Next?
Now that you've set up this proposal template, you'll be able to use this template to quickly and easily create new proposals to send off to prospective clients within a lead record.
Don't worry, you can always further update and adjust your proposal for each client as needed, but setting up your templates will give you a great head start.
Learn more about creating a new proposal within a leads record in your lead manager and sending them to prospective clients here. (link coming soon)