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Insights

Considering Hiring Us? Our Policy on Website Proposals and Pitches

A photo of a printed booklet on a concrete texture. It says Proposal on it and is wrapped in string

If you’re a future client considering contacting us to request a website proposal and/or pitch, then let me just say that we’re excited about the possibility of working with you.‍

We’d love to set up a time to talk with you soon, and we also wanted to take a minute to share how we approach the proposal and pitching process, so you know what to expect from us. It may be a little different from other agencies you’re going to talk to.

Our proposal will tell you everything you need to know before choosing Paper Tiger. But we can’t solve your problems — just yet.

If we think your project is a good fit for Paper Tiger, we will submit a proposal. However, that proposal will only answer your questions at a high level.

Many RFPs ask us to do strategic thinking at this stage of the relationship, and frankly, we can’t give that away for free. Creative thinking is what we sell. It’s our service.

And in reality, making any specific recommendations at this early stage would be doing you a disservice (please see #2 below).

Instead, we invite you to read about our proven process and stellar team, look at our killer portfolio, and check out reviews from past clients on Clutch. We have 16 years of proof that we are as talented and strategic as we say.

proposals-pitches-01

If you’re a future client considering contacting us to request a website proposal and/or pitch, then let me just say that we’re excited about the possibility of working with you.‍

We’d love to set up a time to talk with you soon, and we also wanted to take a minute to share how we approach the proposal and pitching process, so you know what to expect from us. It may be a little different from other agencies you’re going to talk to.

Our proposal will tell you everything you need to know before choosing Paper Tiger. But we can’t solve your problems — just yet.

If we think your project is a good fit for Paper Tiger, we will submit a proposal. However, that proposal will only answer your questions at a high level.

Many RFPs ask us to do strategic thinking at this stage of the relationship, and frankly, we can’t give that away for free. Creative thinking is what we sell. It’s our service.

And in reality, making any specific recommendations at this early stage would be doing you a disservice (please see #2 below).

Instead, we invite you to read about our proven process and stellar team, look at our killer portfolio, and check out reviews from past clients on Clutch. We have 16 years of proof that we are as talented and strategic as we say.

We would love to meet and tell you what sets us apart from other agencies. We don't pitch, though.

When we enter a new relationship with a potential client, believe it or not, our goal isn’t to convince you to hire us. Instead, we want to have an honest conversation about whether our capabilities match your needs, and whether we like each other enough as humans to work well together.

Over 15 years, we’ve seen the pitfalls of doing this any other way. So if we have a chance to meet with you, we’ll run through the proposal together and share our process. We’ll ask a lot of questions about your goals and challenges, and you can ask us anything you’d like to know about us. You’ll meet our team and we’ll meet yours.

This is not a performance; it’s a partnership. So let’s start off that way.

Here’s why this is our approach.

1. Giving away free creative is an outdated model.

The landscape of the creative economy has evolved dramatically from the era depicted in "Mad Men" to the present day. The old model of surprising clients with finished creative work as if pulling a rabbit from a hat is no longer the norm.

At Paper Tiger, we stand by the philosophy of working with our clients as partners rather than merely providing services for them. We understand that impactful websites and brand strategies are born from deep collaboration, aligning closely with our clients' business objectives. This collaborative approach replaces outdated audition-style beginnings with dynamic, two-way conversations.

The evolution of website technology, particularly with platforms like Webflow and WordPress, has shifted the focus from purely technical challenges to creative and strategic solutions.

Since our inception in 2008, we've moved from complex, from-scratch builds to leveraging advanced platforms that empower our design-first approach. At Paper Tiger, we don't give away our creativity and strategic insight; we recognize them as our most valuable assets, integral to our collaborative partnerships.

2. Our discovery process informs our recommendations.

Our project initiation always starts with a thorough discovery phase involving our multifaceted team—spanning content, design, development, and project management. This foundational stage allows us to fully understand your business challenges, goals, and specific needs. It's a period of strategic thinking and creative brainstorming, leading to informed, bespoke recommendations.

Unlike the restrictive nature of prescriptive RFPs, we encourage you to present us with your business pains and objectives; this enables us to apply our expertise most effectively, ensuring we propose truly customized problem-solving strategies.

We believe in leveraging our creative thinking to address your unique challenges—think of us as an extension of your team, committed to finding solutions that alleviate your pain points and meet your business goals.

3. We invest in the quality of our work — not sales.

Our focus at Paper Tiger is firmly on delivering exceptional work and forging strong, collaborative client relationships. Unlike traditional agencies, we don't maintain a separate sales team; instead, you'll directly engage with dedicated professionals committed to understanding and addressing your needs. This approach ensures that every interaction with us is personalized and centered around finding the right fit for your project's success.

We see our client engagement as more than a partnership; it's a commitment akin to a marriage, where we become an integral part of your team, dedicated to your success. With Paper Tiger, you're not just signing up for a service; you're embarking on a journey with a trusted ally. We don't offer off-the-shelf solutions—every project is a bespoke creation, tailored to your unique requirements and crafted with enjoyment.

Rest assured, with us handling your digital challenges, you can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing we've got your back every step of the way.

For insights on navigating the RFP-free process and ensuring a seamless collaboration, explore our article How to Choose a Web Design Agency.

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