Writing a proposal

[rod_melotte]

<p>Are there any good resources for writing a proposal? I have the general idea of what I want but buzz words and legal speak would come in handy. Who owns writes and so forth.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

[richard_weisgrau2]

<p>At the risk of being too self-promotiing, you might take a look at my two books, The Real Business of Photography and Licensing Photography. You can find them on Amazon. The ASMP Business Practices Guide is another good reference.</p>

[rod_melotte]

<p>Thanks Richard - I think self promotion is good if it is related to a certain questions</p>

[Charles_Webster]

<p>Another good resource is John Harrington's book "Best Business Practices for Photographers." The book "Business and Legal Forms for Photographers" by Ted Crawford contains lots of forms you can modify to suit your needs.<br>

<Chas></p>

[richard_weisgrau2]

<p>I know both John and Tad for a long time, and their books are top notch. Tad is the President of Allworth Press who published all four of my books. </p>

[Charles_Webster]

<p>@Richard, thanks for the pointer to your book, I'll pick it up at my earliest convenience. I'm always on the lookout for photography business books.</p>

<p><Chas></p>

[aimee_pieters]

<p>If you're clever, your proposal and contract can be one and the same....-Aimee</p>

[rod_melotte]

<p>That is my goal Aimee - I'm pretty sure I have the job, all I have to do is figure out a price that is on the edge of them being comfortable. And I'm sure I don't need a contract but add professionalism and we are talking over $1K so . . . . </p>

[Charles_Webster]

<p>You ALWAYS need a contract. Especially if you're talking $1000 kind of money.<br>

<Chas></p>

[rod_melotte]

<p>I agree- I was saying I don't need a contract YET. This is just a proposal. You on; START with a contract and then work backwords</p>

[Charles_Webster]

<p>In many cases, the proposal becomes the contract when the prospective client signs the proposal to accept it.<br>

I use the same form for proposal and contract.<br>

<Chas><br /></p>

[rod_melotte]

<p>BTW - they agreed in principle to my proposal and I'm waiting for Harringtons book to arrive to make a legal Contract/proposal hard copy. I knew the company was anxious to see what I had come up with, we're both excited. I believe I was on the edge of how much they wanted to spend and still be happy.<br>

.<br>

Meanwhile my camera is in the shop getting fixed.</p>

[Charles_Webster]

<p>Congratulations!</p>

<p>Make sure to cross the t's and dot the i's and you'll have a successful deal where everyone knows what's expected of them. It makes everyone's life much easier.<br>

Good luck with the actual shoot<br>

<Chas></p>