A prospect comes in. You take them through a discovery call. They seem interested. They nod, they agree, they’re almost sold.
You feel confident, so you send them your proposal.
And then… silence.
GHOSTED.
No response, no reply, no deal closed.
This moment is where most businesses lose the highest number of customers.
Why Customers Ghost After Proposals
Here’s the hard truth:
A proposal is never meant to be sent.
When you send it cold, three things happen:
- The client reads it in isolation, without your energy or explanation.
- They focus only on the price, skipping the value.
- They delay, overthink, or compare with competitors.
By the time you follow up, they’ve already lost interest or gone with someone else.
The Rule That Changes Everything
Make this your golden rule:
Never send a proposal. Always present it live.
That means on a Zoom call, in a meeting, or over the phone.
Why? Because in real time you can:
- Walk them through the value behind each line item
- Handle objections instantly instead of letting them fester
Anchor the conversation on outcomes, not just price.
How to Present Proposals Live (Step by Step)
- Book the next call before ending discovery. Don’t say, “I’ll send you the proposal.” Say, “Let’s review the proposal together on our next call.”
- Prepare a clear, simple deck. Keep it visual, not just numbers on a PDF.
- Walk through each section. Show what’s included, why it matters, and the results they’ll get.
- Address objections right there. If they hesitate, clarify in the moment.
- If they don’t agree with something, make reasonable changes then and there. It shows you’re collaborative without dragging things out over endless emails.
Ask for the decision. Don’t leave them hanging — guide them to the close.`
Case Example: Bangalore Marketing Agency
A digital agency in Bangalore used to email proposals and lose 7 out of 10 prospects.
After switching to live proposal reviews on Zoom, their close rate jumped to 65% — because clients understood the value and felt guided through the decision instead of left alone.
Key Takeaway
Customers don’t ghost you because they’re not interested.
They ghost you because you handed them the proposal and walked away.
Change the rule:
- Don’t send proposals.
- Present them live.
Close more deals.
FAQs on Proposal Presentations
Q1. Why do most prospects ghost after receiving a proposal?
Because when a proposal is sent cold, prospects read it in isolation. They focus on price instead of value, hesitate without clarification, and often delay or move on.
Q2. What if a client insists on me just emailing the proposal?
A polite response is: “I’d love to walk you through it to make sure all your questions are covered — can we schedule 15 minutes?” Framing it as respect for their time usually gets a yes.
Q3. How do I handle objections in a live proposal call?
Address them immediately and, if reasonable, make adjustments on the spot. This shows flexibility and avoids long email back-and-forths that kill momentum.
For business owners across Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, this shift is a game-changer. Whether you run an agency, consultancy, or service-based SMB, the proposal stage is where money is won or lost.
Start presenting live and watch your closing rates climb.
I hope you found this relatable and helpful. If you have any doubts or would like to connect with me personally, please email me at jiteshmanwani@gmail.com