Freelance L&D Side Door

Drafts a proposal for a contract instructional design or L&D project, covering scope, deliverables, timeline, and pricing. Reach for it when a prospective client has asked for a proposal and you want a professional document that holds its own next to agency work.

## Context
You are helping [YOUR NAME], a freelance instructional designer and former [GRADE LEVEL AND SUBJECT] teacher, draft a project proposal for [CLIENT NAME], a [CLIENT TYPE: company, nonprofit, healthcare org, etc.]. The project is [PROJECT DESCRIPTION: e.g., a 4-module onboarding eLearning course]. The client's stated goal is [CLIENT GOAL]. The proposed budget range is [BUDGET RANGE]. The proposed timeline is [PROPOSED TIMELINE]. Tools and platforms you plan to use: [TOOLS AND PLATFORMS]. Your relevant experience for this project: [YOUR RELEVANT EXPERIENCE].

## Task
Write a freelance project proposal that includes:
1. An opening paragraph that restates the client's goal in their own terms and confirms you understand the problem.
2. A proposed solution section describing the learning solution you will build, why this approach fits their goal, and what learners will be able to do after completing it.
3. A scope of work section listing specific deliverables with brief descriptions.
4. A timeline section with phases and estimated dates, based on [PROPOSED TIMELINE].
5. A investment section stating your fee or fee range and what it covers. If [BUDGET RANGE] is provided, anchor to it.
6. A next steps section with two or three concrete actions to move forward.

## Standards
- 500 to 700 words. Professional and readable, not padded.
- Do not invent deliverables, tools, experience, or credentials that [YOUR NAME] did not provide. Every claim about your background must come from [YOUR RELEVANT EXPERIENCE].
- Do not promise learning outcomes you cannot guarantee. Frame outcomes as what learners will be equipped or expected to do, not what they will definitely achieve.
- Do not invent client pain points beyond what the inputs describe.
- Tone: direct and confident. A proposal is a business document, not a sales pitch.
- If any bracketed input is missing or ambiguous, ask before drafting.

Sample output. Generated by AI from sample inputs:

**Project Proposal: New Hire Onboarding eLearning Suite**
Prepared by Dana Reyes for Brightpath Learning
Date: June 2026

**Understanding Your Goal**
Brightpath Learning wants new hires to reach independent performance faster. Right now, onboarding relies on a mix of shadowing and a paper handbook, and managers report that new hires are still asking basic process questions at the 90-day mark. The goal is a self-paced eLearning suite that covers core job procedures, company systems, and compliance requirements, so managers spend less time on repetitive explanation and new hires feel prepared sooner.

**Proposed Solution**
I will design and develop a four-module Articulate Rise course covering: company overview and culture, core job procedures for the Customer Success role, system walkthroughs for your CRM and ticketing tool, and a compliance module covering data privacy and code of conduct. Each module will include scenario-based practice and a short knowledge check. Learners who complete all four modules will be equipped to perform standard Customer Success tasks without manager prompting.

**Scope of Work**
- Learning needs analysis: one 60-minute stakeholder interview and review of existing materials
- Instructional design: learning objectives, content outline, and storyboard for all four modules
- eLearning development: four Rise modules with branching scenarios and knowledge checks
- Graphic assets: custom icons and illustrated scenarios using your brand colors
- One round of stakeholder revisions per module
- Final SCORM package, ready for upload to your LMS

**Timeline**
- Week 1 to 2: Needs analysis and outline
- Week 3 to 4: Storyboards for review
- Week 5 to 7: Development of all four modules
- Week 8: Stakeholder review and revision
- Week 9: Final delivery

**Investment**
This project is priced at $6,800, covering all deliverables listed above. One round of revisions is included per module. Additional revision rounds are billed at $95 per hour. A 50% deposit is due at project start; the remainder is due on final delivery.

**Next Steps**
1. Confirm the scope and timeline are a fit.
2. Sign the project agreement and submit the deposit.
3. Schedule the stakeholder interview for Week 1.

Drafts a professional project update email to a freelance instructional design client. Use it at any milestone, after a review session, or on a regular cadence to keep clients informed without long status calls.

## Context
You are helping [YOUR NAME], a freelance instructional designer, draft a project update email to [CLIENT NAME] at [CLIENT ORGANIZATION]. The project is [PROJECT NAME]. Current status: [STATUS SUMMARY: e.g., storyboard complete and sent for review, module 2 in development]. What was completed since the last update: [COMPLETED SINCE LAST UPDATE]. What is next: [NEXT STEPS]. Any open items that require client input or decision: [OPEN ITEMS (or "none")]. Expected date of next deliverable: [NEXT DELIVERABLE DATE].

## Task
Write a concise project update email. Structure it in this order:
1. One sentence on where the project stands overall.
2. A short list of what was completed since the last update.
3. What comes next, with the date the client can expect the next deliverable.
4. Open items that need the client's response, if any, each framed as a specific question or decision with a requested response date.
5. One closing sentence that confirms momentum and invites any questions.

## Standards
- Under 200 words. Subject line names the project and the date.
- Lead with progress, not process. The client wants to know the project is moving, not how you work.
- Open items must be framed as specific questions, not vague prompts. "Can you confirm whether module 3 should cover supervisors or all staff?" is a question. "Let me know if you have feedback" is not.
- Do not invent completed tasks, deliverables, dates, or client decisions that I did not provide.
- Tone is professional and direct. Not stiff, not casual.
- If any input above is missing or ambiguous, ask before drafting rather than filling in plausible details.

Sample output. Generated by AI from sample inputs:

Subject: Brightpath Onboarding Project update, June 13

Hi Marcus,

The project is on track. Here is where things stand.

Completed this week:
- Storyboard for Module 1 (New Hire Orientation) delivered June 10
- Revised Module 1 based on your June 11 feedback

Next up:
Module 2 storyboard (Benefits Overview) goes to you by June 20.

One item I need from you:
Should the Benefits module address part-time employees separately, or cover all staff in a single path? A quick reply by June 16 keeps us on schedule.

Let me know if anything else needs attention before then.

Dana Reyes
Instructional Designer