Mastering Proposal Development

Stop justifying your boundaries. “No” is not rude. It’s how you protect your time, energy, and sanity. I used to be available for everything: 6 PM “quick fixes” that turned into 90-minute tasks. Weekend messages that killed any chance of rest Not because I didn’t have boundaries, But because I didn’t know how to communicate them. Here are 12 boundary-setting phrases I wish I had used sooner: 10  Phrases That Say “I’m not available for that” - without burning bridges: "That doesn’t work for me—here’s what does." → Assertive, clear, and solution-focused. "I’m offline after 6 PM. Let’s revisit this in the morning." → You set the availability, not your inbox. "Let me check my schedule and get back to you." → Creates space to decide without pressure. "I’m happy to help. What should I deprioritize to take this on?" → Makes the tradeoff visible. "I’ve blocked 30 minutes for this call." → Time-caps your energy before others overrun it. "I can help with this part, but not the whole thing." → Protects your bandwidth while still being useful. "Let’s schedule this properly—I want to give it the attention it deserves." → Turn chaos into structure. "I’ve learned I don’t do well with last-minute requests." → Share the why without over-explaining. "Let me get back to you by [time] after I think it through." → You’re not obligated to answer instantly. "That’s outside my zone—but here’s someone who might be a better fit." → Say no, and still be a connector. You don’t need to be aggressive to be clear. You don’t need to explain your “no” to make it valid. Boundaries are a business skill. Use them like one. Save this. Read it again the next time someone tries to rush your yes.

During my time at Qwilr, I’ve seen THOUSANDS of proposals. Here are 4 proposal plays that the best sellers use to close deals: #1 Lead With Problems Start your proposal by articulating your prospects' problems, ideally in their own words. Using quotes from relevant stakeholders within their organisation will grab your buyers’ attention and show you understand their problems. This immediately demonstrates that this isn’t just a generic pitch – you actually understand them and are focused on their specific issues. Doing this also puts decision-makers in somewhat of a tricky situation. They must either… 1. Disregard the opinions of their team as incorrect 2. Acknowledge they’re facing a problem, but decide not to look for a solution 3. Look for a solution (which you are providing in the rest of your proposal) Most (good) leaders will opt for the latter and will read on to better understand your offering. #2 It's Easy to Digest You MUST ensure your proposal is clear, straightforward and easy to understand. Remember, the folks who will be reviewing your proposal are incredibly busy and don’t have time to decipher endless information, searching for what is relevant for them. If your offer is easy to understand, it’s easier to say yes to. Avoid dense walls of text, and use images, graphics and interactive elements to simplify complex ideas. Always steer away from jargon. While it might showcase a level of expertise, you have to keep in mind that it’s likely a number of people will review your proposal. You need to make sure that EVERYONE will buy in. #3 Make It Relevant Buyers want to know that you’ve helped organisations that look like them, or the type of organisation that they aspire to be. Making sure that your proposal speaks to your buyers’ industry, needs, challenges and objectives will increase the likelihood of engagement Build your case by including concrete data and case studies that resonate with your client’s situation. CAUTION: It can be tempting to litter your proposal with logos and quotations from your “biggest” clients. You should not (always) do this! Instead, focus on featuring logos of similar companies or aspirational peers, not just massive brands. Remember, just because a company is “big” to you, that doesn’t mean your client will care. They want to know you can help THEM! #4 Keep Next Steps Simple It’s essential that you break down your proposal into clear, actionable steps – giving your client a roadmap on how to proceed and what will happen when they sign. You should also educate your champion on how to position the proposal to the buying committee, arming them to sell internally. Meet with them and go through your proposal, asking what needs to be removed and added (for other stakeholders) and how they plan to share it more widely. Want to send proposals that impress buyers and close deals? Try Qwilr for free at https://getqwilr.com

You don’t need better clients. You need 5 contract lines that hold the line. But do you know the problem always starts with a "yes." • Yes to a small revision. • Yes to a quick call. • Yes to "just one more thing." And just like that, you’re not running a software business anymore. You’re running around in circles. I see this a lot with new dev agencies. Talented founders. Good at the work. But no systems. No structure. No line in the sand. Their contracts? Vague. Their offers? Open-ended. Their projects? Delayed, bloated, and underpaid. And the reason’s simple: They said yes too often. • Yes to low-budget clients. • Yes to unlimited revisions. • Yes to timelines that made no sense. And most agencies have no boundaries. Projects drag. Clients take control. They stay busy but broke. But do you know what changes this? • Defined rules. • Added limits. • Clear contracts. That's how your work has weight. That's how clients respect the process. That's how the profits stop bleeding. But if you don’t set the rules, the client will. And their rules? They’ll always cost you more time than you think. Now if you want to run your business with peace, then draw lines in your contracts. Here's a few ways I recommend this: 1) Limit your revisions You have to set a clear number of included revisions. For e.g., "Two rounds of revisions are included. Additional changes billed at $X/hour or per change." Also, define what counts as a revision, so there’s no confusion. 2) Prevent extra work Make sure to be clear on what’s included in the project scope - and what’s not. And add a process for handling extra requests such as:  "Any work outside the agreed scope will require a new quote and timeline." 3) Set communication boundaries Define your working hours and expected response times in the contract. Make sure to limit the number of "urgent" calls or meetings per week/month. 4) Payment milestones & delays Break payments into milestones tied to deliverables, not just dates. And add late fee clauses for overdue payments, and pause work if payments are delayed beyond a set period. 5) Timeline management Write what happens if the client delays feedback or approvals. For e.g., "Project timeline will be extended by the number of days feedback is delayed". This protects your schedule from endless pauses. The end goal is to draw the line. Write the terms. And make your "yes" worth something. --- ✍ Question: Do you set boundaries in your projects?

Think overdelivering will keep your clients happy? Think again. Here’s how to avoid burnout as a consultant. When you shift from a full-time role to consulting, it’s easy to fall into an old trap: treating every opportunity like a full-time job. Overdelivering. Overextending. And ultimately, burning out. On a recent Business Building call with clients, I shared with them... "The most nefarious thing is the story we tell ourselves, but we’re also setting expectations by overextending." The story? That if we don’t give everything, we won’t land (or keep) the client. But here’s the reality: Overextending doesn’t just exhaust you, it sets the wrong expectations. Clients come to rely on extra hours, unlimited availability, or added scope... without understanding the real value of your work. The result? You undervalue yourself, misalign expectations, and risk sacrificing long-term success. Failing to set boundaries as a consultant creates: • Burnout: You feel drained, losing the passion that made you start consulting in the first place.    • Scope Creep: Projects spiral beyond the original agreement without compensation.    • Misaligned Value: Clients undervalue your expertise because they see your time as endless.    The Fix: Set Clear Boundaries To protect your time and deliver impact without overextending, implement these strategies: 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 Clearly outline deliverables, timelines, and expectations in every proposal. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 Set working hours and response times upfront. Example: “I’m available for calls between 9 AM and 2 PM on weekdays.” 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 If additional work arises, renegotiate the contract. Example: “That’s outside the scope of our initial agreement—let’s discuss an add-on package.” 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 Focus on delivering outcomes, not overcommitting your time. Your impact comes from results, not the number of hours you spend. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 Ask yourself: “Am I overextending because I’m afraid of losing the client? What evidence supports that fear?” Boundaries don’t just protect you, they elevate your client relationships by reinforcing your value and professionalism.

This kills more freelancers than bad reviews. “Can you just add this one thing?” They said. I thought it was harmless. A small tweak, nothing major. But then it became two things. Then three. And suddenly, the project is unrecognizable. What started as a simple email sequence grew legs. A landing page edit here. A social caption there. By the end, I was doing 3x the work for same pay. The scope had crept so far, I barely recognized the brief. What's worse? It consumed so much time, I had no time for other clients. Here’s what I'd do differently to prevent project scope creeps: 1) Client signs contract with 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀. 2) Always confirm changes 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. 3) Quote for extras. Every. Single. Time. 4) Learn to say 𝗡𝗢 without guilt. For newbie freelancers, 1 & 2 might be daunting, so, practice 3 & 4 unapologetically. Boundaries are what protect your creativity, ensures you are paid what you're worth. Without them, you’re a yes-machine, not a professional. Agree? P.S. -- I created a guide to setting client boundaries "5 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺". You can easily copy-paste this to your contract. Want it? DM me "Set client boundaries" and I'll send you a copy for free - no strings attached

Gearing up to secure funding for your research project? OR Applying for your PhD and need a Proposal? Crafting a compelling research proposal is your ticket to making a strong impression. Here's my detailed guide to help you put your best foot forward: 1. Start with a Strong Introduction: Your introduction is your chance to grab attention. Clearly state the problem your research aims to solve and why it matters. Think of it as your elevator pitch – concise, engaging, and to the point. 2. Define Your Objectives: Outline your research goals and objectives. What do you hope to achieve? Make sure they’re SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). This helps funders understand the impact of your work. 3. Conduct a Literature Review: Show you’ve done your homework. Summarize the current state of research in your field and highlight gaps your project will fill. This demonstrates your knowledge and the necessity of your research. 4. Describe Your Methodology: Detail your research design and methods. Explain how you’ll collect and analyze data, and why you’ve chosen these methods. Be clear and thorough – funders need to see you have a solid plan. 5. Highlight Your Team : Introduce your research team and their expertise. Showcase previous work and successes to build credibility. Funders invest in people as much as they do in ideas. 6. Present a Realistic Budget: Break down your budget, explaining how funds will be allocated. Be transparent and realistic. Justify your expenses by linking them to your research activities and goals. 7. Outline the Impact: Discuss the potential impact of your research. Who will benefit and how? Highlight the broader implications and the value it will bring to the field, community, or society. 8. Include a Timeline: Provide a detailed timeline for your project. This shows you’ve planned your research carefully and can manage time effectively. Include key milestones and deliverables. 9. Proofread and Peer Review: Before submission, proofread your proposal meticulously. Consider having colleagues review it for clarity and coherence. Fresh eyes can catch errors you might miss. 10. Tailor to the Funder: Finally, customize your proposal to align with the specific interests and guidelines of the funding body. Show you’ve done your research on them too, and explain why your project is a perfect fit. Remember, a well-crafted proposal is not just about presenting your research. It's about telling a compelling story that convinces funders of its value and feasibility. Good luck, and happy writing! #ResearchFunding #GrantWriting #AcademicResearch #ResearchProposals #HigherEducation #FundingSuccess #ResearchTips #researchers #phd

Weak boundaries create weak teams. Strong boundaries create focus. I was never in control of my calendar. Not really. Everyone else owned my time but me. The "quick syncs" that turned into hour-long rambles. The constant interruptions disguised as collaboration. The "urgent" requests that weren't urgent at all. My calendar wasn't mine. It was a free-for-all. And my team? They were drowning in the same chaos. Here's what no boundaries actually costs: 🚩 Your best people burn out protecting you from interruptions 🚩 Deep work becomes impossible for everyone 🚩 The urgent always beats the important 🚩 Your team mirrors your chaos The worst part? I thought being available made me a good leader. Turns out it made me a terrible one. Because when you have no boundaries... Your team has no clarity. Here's how boundaries actually protect everyone: 1/ Set "focus blocks" for the whole team ↳ 2-4 hours of zero meetings, zero Slack ↳ Watch productivity explode 2/ Create clear response expectations ↳ Email: 24 hours ↳ Slack: 4 hours ↳ Text: Only if someone's dying 3/ Protect your team's time like it's your own ↳ Challenge every meeting invite ↳ Ask: "Could this be an email?" 4/ Model the boundaries you want to see ↳ Don't send late-night messages ↳ Don't expect instant responses 5/ Make "no" a complete sentence ↳ "No, that doesn't work for us" ↳ No explanation needed 6/ Teach your team to push back ↳ "Is this the best use of our time?" ↳ Give them permission to protect their focus The magic of boundaries? They don't just protect you. They give your team permission to protect themselves. When you close your door... You're teaching them it's okay to close theirs. That's not selfish. That's leadership. Because a team without boundaries... is a team without focus. And a team without focus... is just busy being busy. 👊 How do you go about setting boundaries? 💬👇 --- ♻️ Repost to help someone set their boundaries ✚ Follow Cory Blumenfeld for more entrepreneurial insights and motivation. I'm on a mission to inspire 1M everyday people to start their own business and find their voice in the process.

The more you value yourself The healthier your boundaries are If you're flexible with your boundaries People will be flexible with how they treat you. It starts small. You help out "just this once." You stay back to finish what someone else dropped. You reply to that late night message because it seems easier than ignoring it. But soon, the exceptions become expectations. And the people who once thanked you? They start assuming you'll always make it work. That's the quiet trap of being the "reliable one." You think you're earning respect. What you're really teaching is that your time, your rest, your limits, are optional. And in a culture that rewards output over boundaries, that's a dangerous lesson to give. Because every time you bend, someone else learns you'll break before they do. The cost isn't just exhaustion. It's credibility. It's being overlooked for promotion because you're too useful where you are. It's realising too late that flexibility without limits doesn't build trust, it builds dependency. So here's the shift: Stop trying to prove you're adaptable by saying yes to everything. Prove it by protecting the energy that lets you perform sustainably. Set limits early. Communicate them clearly. Hold them consistently. Because the professionals who are most respected aren't the most available. They're the ones whose boundaries never need explaining. ♻️ Share to help someone learn to set boundaries 👉 Follow Maryann (MJ) for career growth and resilience 📷 Image: @moneymindedman (IG)

Summer is when we open our Request for Speaking Proposals. Which means inbox 0 is a pipedream, and my DMs are… well, let’s just say “active.” (Shoutout to that semi-viral TikTok moment earlier this summer that sent several hundred of you my way. Hiii 👋 ) Here’s the thing: every year I see *way more proposals* than could ever fit on a stage. And while every event has its quirks, there are some patterns in what rises to the top for us. So, if you’re thinking about submitting a proposal - here’s my top 5 tips and insights on how we assess the applications: 1. Outcome-driven programs Attendees don’t just want a great story. They want to walk out with tools they can use Monday morning. Clear takeaways. Practical strategies. Bonus points if you leave them with a workbook, framework, or something they can hold onto when the conference buzz wears off. 2. The in-person difference If your session could just as easily be a webinar, give it another look. The best conference sessions only work *in the room* - because they’re interactive, discussion-based, or get people thinking together in ways Zoom just can’t. 3. Blind review (our first round) Here’s a little peek behind the curtain: when we first read proposals, we strip out all the names, companies, and titles. Content first, résumés second. It keeps us honest and keeps the playing field level. 4. Beyond the blind review (second round) Once we’ve got strong proposals, we zoom out. Do we have a balance of local presenters and fresh perspectives “from away”? Are different industries and company sizes represented? Are we hearing a variety of lived experiences - or just one bubble of groupthink? 5. Content lenses Every conference has its content buckets or pillars. Mine are: - HR Skills - Legal Compliance - Business Strategy - Wildcard (the unexpected, the creative, the thought-provoking) Behind the scenes, this process is collaborative, rigorous, and yes - sometimes a little heated. But that’s how you build a program that actually serves the audience. If you’ve got a session that makes people think differently and DO differently, that’s the stage we’re building. Happy pitching!