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How To Use
the Project
Proposal Template

NEED HELP?

First, review this document, which answers most of the questions related to
customizing the templates, as well as some troublshooting ideas.

If you can’t find an answer to your question, email us at

info@hoodzpahdesign.com
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Before we get started

Disclaimer: While these proposal templates can
make your life simpler in the long term, there’s an
initial time investment and basic level of program
knowledge required to get them customized the
way you want.
It’s worth the time, trust us. If you’re not a wizard in InDesign or Keynote, be
patient. Each program has robust features, as well as frustrating quirks. But these are
some of the best options at our disposal currently, to make really custom, stunning
presentation docs. So hang in there. We’ll cover all the ins and outs of editing the
docs, but if you run into any issues you can’t solve, email us at info@hoodzpahdesign.
com and we’ll try and get back to you as soon as we can (We don’t work late nights,
weekends or holidays).

While we’ll try and help where we can, we aren’t responsible for InDesign or Keynote
bugs outside our control. We also can’t train you in how to use these programs. It’s
recommended that anyone who buys this already has a basic understanding of how
Keynote and InDesign work. If you aren’t familiar, there are tons of amazing tutorials
online that can help. Here are some below:

InDesign: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/tutorials.html

Keynote: https://support.apple.com/keynote

These templates are intended for the full versions of InDesign and Keynote, not phone apps or limited versions of
the programs. We cannot troubleshoot old versions of the program.
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Firstly, Install Fonts!!

This design uses fonts from Google Fonts, which
are free to download and use! But we’re not allowed
to include them in the ZIP download file, so you’ll
need to download them, and install them on your
computer before opening the INDD, Keynote, or
PowerPoint file.

1. Go to this website page:

https://fonts.google.com/?selection.family=Amiri|Lato|Prompt&category=Sans+Serif&stylecount=3

2. Then at the bottom of the website that loads, click the black bar that says “3
families Selected”,

3. Then click the download icon (a downward arrow with line under it).

4. The fonts will save in your default location for website downloads on your
computer (usually your “Downloads” folder). Double click the zipped file to unzip
it. Move the files to wherever you store your fonts, or add it to your font manager.
Double click the fonts to install them, or activate them from within your
font manager.
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Update type styles in

InDesign
We’ve labelled our Paragraph Styles for you from
largest (H1) to smallest (Caption) so you can easily
change styling across the board.

T O U P D AT E A L L I N S TA N C E S O F A T Y P E S T Y L E

1. Start with the Paragraph Styles, then use Character Styles to fine tune.

2. If you can’t find these panels in your workspace, in the top menu bar, go to
“Window” > “Styles” > select “Paragraph Styles” and “Character Styles”. Now you
should be able to see the list of styles we’ve preset.

3. Double click any style to see or edit your options. By editing the existing Paragraph
or Character style, it will update any text with that style applied, across the
whole document.

T O U P D AT E L I M I T E D I N S TA N C E S O F A T Y P E S T Y L E

If you only want to edit one instance of the style, consider making a new
Paragraph or Character style to use in those instances. How? Here’s a tutorial:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/paragraph-character-styles.html#add_paragraph_and_character_styles
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Update type styles in Keynote

We’ve labelled our Paragraph Styles for you from
largest (H1) to smallest (Caption) so you can easily
change styling across the board.

T O U P D AT E A L L I N S TA N C E S O F A T Y P E S T Y L E

Click into one instance of the paragraph style, select it, then make your desired edits
in the “Text” panel on the right side. You’ll notice the Paragraph Style name now has
an asterisk (*) next to it, which means it’s been modified from it’s default settings.
Click on the dropdown arrow next to the Paragraph Style dropdown menu, hover
over the paragraph style you’re editing, and select the right facing arrow. From the
flyout menu, select “Redefine from Selection”. Or, if you see a blue “Update” button
next to the Paragraph Style name, select it to update the style based on your changes.
We haven’t used Character Styles, because they’re notoriously glitchy in the version of
Keynote we use. However, feel free to use them if you’re comfortable and have success
with it.

To only edit a few instances, create a new paragraph style, and apply it where wanted.

Learn how to create new paragraph and character styles in Keynote here:

More about character styles: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH24357?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

More about paragraph styles: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH24351?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
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Update the logo and project

name at the top of each page,
and the pagination in InDesign
At the top left of each page of the presentation,
there’s the name of the project and a placement
logo. Here’s how to edit those master elements, as
well as page numbers.

1. Go to the “Layers” panel and unlock the “Pagination” layer.

2. Then go to the “Pages” panel, and double click into the “A-Dark-Pagination” and
“B-White-Pagination” master pages to edit them. Delete placeholder examples, and add
your own in.

3. Relock the “pagination” layer in “Layers” panel.

More info on master pages in Indesign: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/master-pages.html

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Update the logo and project

name at the top of each page
in Keynote
Keynote’s features are less robust than INDD, so we
just pasted these in place on each page (no master
page elements).

1. Update your logo (drag it into the program from your Finder or My Documents)
and update your project name on one page. Select the updated items.

2. Copy them: Command + C keys on Mac, or CTRL + C in Windows.

2. Delete the placeholder logo and project name on subsequent pages, and paste the
selected items aa you go (Command + V keys on Mac, or CTRL + V in Windows).
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Changing Colors in InDesign

Edit colors of type and shapes:

1. In the InDesign document, go to the “Swatches” panel, then double click a swatch
to adjust and update all instances of that color in the whole document (both to shapes
and to type).

2. To update only a few instances of a color, create a new color swatch. Then select
your specific text, or your specific objects and apply the swatch.

3. Note: Selecting just a text box and applying a swatch will fill the background of the
text with the color, rather than changing the text color. So double click into the text
box and select the type, then select the color swatch to apply it to the text.

4. Also, you can create a new character style that only has the color swatch selected,
and reapply that to the type you select, if you want to be able to easily edit all
instances of that color with a few clicks in future.
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Changing Colors in Keynote

Edit colors of type and shapes:

1. To edit a Paragraph Style’s color: In the Keynote doc, select the text you’d like to
edit the color of. If you want to edit all instances of the color in the same Paragraph
Style, then select your new color from the color dropdown in the “Font” section of the
“Type” panel. When the blue “update” button appears next to your edited Paragraph
Style name, select it, and all instances of that Paragraph Style will be updated.

2. To only update a few instances of the color of a Paragraph Style, create a new
Paragraph Style. Select one instance of the type you want to change, edit the color
from the “Text” panel under “Font” section. Then, in the Paragraph Styles dropdown
menu at top, click the “+” icon to add a new Paragraph Style for that color. Now when
you apply this new Paragraph Style to text, you’ll be able to update the style seamlessly
across your document in a few clicks.

3. To change the color of shapes or backgrounds, select the object. The “style” panel
should appear on the right side. If it doesn’t, you might have to double click into
grouped objects to reveal the panel. On the “Style” panel you can select a new fill color
from predefined options (top of “Fill” section), or by selecting your own color in the
selector area right below the “color fill” dropdown field.

More on editing text colors in Keynote: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH24346?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US

More on editing colors and fills of shapes: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH24333?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US
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Customization Checklist
Before you send this to a new client, be sure you’ve
edited/updated these things from our placeholder
content. If something doesn’t apply, you can remove
it from the document:

1. Logo: This might sound obvious, but replace the “Your Tip: Keep an original
Logo” placeholder with your own logo on the cover page version of the product

and in all subsequent pages

download, and save
a copy to apply your

2. Project Name: At the top of each page there’s a reference

edits to. Then, for

to the client’s project.

each new client, create
a new copy for that

3. Cover Page > Image: Use a cover image related to the

unique client.

client. Perhaps it’s something from their own website. The

idea is to show it’s custom made just for them. If they don’t have good images,
try a free photo from www.Unsplash.com or a stock photo that alludes to their
industry and the aesthetic that you’re wanting to channel in the project.

4. Cover Page > Text: Update the name of the client under “Prepared for”, the
project name, and your contact information (if they want to call you to review,
they should be able to find this info easy!).

Cover Page > Expiration Date: We usually set it for a month from the day
5. 
we’ll send the proposal. Why are expirations important? If your pricing changes,
someone can’t come back in a year and demand the same price.
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Introduction/Hello Page: This is where you briefly explain who you are in a
6. 
simple and compelling way. What is your company/personal name. What service
do you provide?

7. Goal Page: Before you prepare and send this proposal to a client, call them to ask
them a few questions and introduce yourself. Use the “Client Questionnaire” file
included in your product download to get information about what the client needs,
and why it’s important. Then distill it into a simple statement about the project
goal on this page. If you can, highlight specific benefits the client will gain from
the project’s success.

8. Let’s Fix It / Solution Page: Update this page to show how you plan on solving
the clients problem through specific phases. This is pretty much your
“process” page.

9. Timeline: Update the timeline to your specific needs.

10. Why Us Page: This is where you explain your unique qualifications and expertise
for the job at hand. Anticipate their hesitations, put their mind at ease. This is
more specific to the project than the Hello/Introduction page.

11. Clients: Replace the boxes with your own client logos you have permission to use.
The logos don’t have to be huge companies or brands to be impressive. If you’re
pitching a local client, and you’ve worked with well known local companies, list
them. If you don’t think the logos of previous clients will win over your potential
client (or you don’t have enough past work to show off) consider using this page
for one good “client testimonial” instead of a list of past client logos.
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12. Team: This is where you can introduce you and your team. If you’re a solopreneur,
but you’ll be using subcontractors to help you on a project, consider featuring
those people here to show the potential client that you have the backup support
you need to do the project. If it’s just you working on a project, you might remove
this page, and keep all your “about me” qualifications on the “Why us/me” page

13. Portfolio Pages: This is where you show off work you’ve done that relates to
the project you’re quoting. It starts with an introduction page. Then follow with
2-3 case studies or work examples. You want to show them how your experience
aligns with what they’re asking you to do for them. Choose portfolio work that
appeals to the industry and aesthetic of the company/person you are quoting. If it’s
film work, consider showing some stills, then linking to the video project.

14. Price & Scope Pages: This is where you’ll outline your scope (what the
parameters of your project are, what is included) and the price. We put it here at
the end, because we like to build up to it. By the time they’ve learned about your
process, read about your qualifications, and seen beautiful examples of your work,
hopefully the price you show them here is more justified.

15. C
 losing Thank You Page: Edit the website address, then hyperlink it. You can do
the same with the small social icons. If you need to change the social media icons,
see the “Social icons” folder within the “Links” folder included with this product
ZIP file. When you export the PDF, make sure the hyperlink option is turned on
in the save dialog box, so that the links are included in the final PDF.

16. Sharing your deck: Export the INDD or Keynote document to a PDF before
sending. These decks can get somewhat large, so we don’t usually attach them to
emails to avoid getting bounce-backs or errors. We prefer to link to the PDFs via
Dropbox in our emails to potential clients. Since we’re sending them to people
who’ve asked for proposals, a link is acceptable.
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FAQ and Troubleshooting

Can these templates be used in Google Slides or
Powerpoint?
We’ve exported a version of the Keynote template to a PPTX file format to
get you started in Powerpoint. We can’t guarantee it will work flawlessly, but
it should retain a good amount of the info, pages, and styling.

Google Slides should also allow you to import a PPTX. In Google Drive,
click “+ New” button and then select “File Upload”. Then select the PPTX
template version.

Note: we don’t offer support for template issues you have in Google Slides or
Powerpoint.

Why are the headlines (h1) in InDesign sticking to

the bottom of the text frame?
In order to align the headlines to the document grid, we set the text frame
options to align the text to the bottom of the frame. To change this option,
select the text frame, then select “Text frame options” in the menu. In the
options panel that appears, look for the section called “Vertical Justification”
and change the dropdown selection from “Bottom” to whatever you prefer.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

These templates are based on our own unique experience and research, however we cannot be held liable for any
projects or jobs you lose or do not land, when you use these templates. These templates in no way guarantee you’ll
win jobs, as we can’t know all the unique circumstances involved in your unique project and client. Use and edit
these templates at your own discretion, and we recommend reviewing them with your own advisors and mentors to
ensure they are right for you.