38 Chapter 3 VIDEO PROJECT PROPOSALS Corporate managers view video producers as creative types, and they expect innovation from us. Go beyond a mere budget proposal to include some of your ideas that utilize AV media. Your imaginative approach could help sell your proposal, and your novel ideas will make the video much more interesting and effective. In addition to developing a budget estimate in the proposal, the producer needs to specify the functions for which he or she will be responsible, as well as what is needed from the client. For example, you could write, "The client will provide a content specialist to supply information for the scriptwriter. The pro- ducer will send the client links to audition clips of proposed on-camera spokespersons for the client's input on talent selec- tion." The proposal may also include an estimated timeline that shows approximate dates by which each phase of the produc- tion will be completed. The freelance video producer, especially when he or she may be working for the client the first time, will need to provide samples of some of his or her own marketing materials to help sell the project. These include descriptions of the producer and crew members, contact information from past clients, and sometimes even a cost-benefit analysis. Businesspeople love case studies, and you can include brief descriptions of similar video projects you have worked on. If your proposal is in an electronic form, such as a PDF, you can include links to video clips from your website. Let's examine some actual proposals that I wrote when my company was responding to RFPs (requests for proposals). Sample Proposal: The Metropolitan Transportation Commission Here is a proposal to produce a series of video clips and to be a consultant for live webcasting. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission coordinates public transportation and vehicle traffic in the San Francisco Bay area. The RFP stated that the cover letter--what they call the "transmittal letter"--and the other elements must be included in the proposal. (Date) (Individual's Name) Project Manager