We’ve taken a deep dive into our data to answer a simple but crucial question: Does the speed at which you send a proposal after an appointment affect your chances of winning the business?

The answer is a resounding yes.

What we looked at
We analysed over 10,000 sent proposals, carefully measuring the working hours between the appointment and when the proposal was actually sent.

What we found
The results were clear and consistent: the sooner you send a proposal, the more likely you are to win.

Win rate by proposal send timing (working hours):

• 0–6 hrs: 19% win rate
• 6–12 hrs: 15% win rate
• 12–24 hrs: 13% win rate
• 24+ hrs: 11% win rate

And here’s the data visualised:

Why This Matters

In today’s competitive environment, clients are making fast decisions.

• Responsiveness builds trust – sending a proposal quickly shows professionalism and commitment.
• Speed keeps momentum –  the longer the gap, the more likely interest fades or competitors step in.
• Data proves it – there’s nearly double the win rate when sending within 6 hours versus waiting more than a day.

The takeaway

If you want to increase your chances of winning business:

• Send proposals as soon as possible after the appointment.
• Aim for within the first 6 working hours.
• Don’t let opportunities cool – speed matters.

Bottom line: In proposals, fast beats slow.

Note: These figures are not the same as overall market appraisal-to-instruction conversion rates. The analysis here includes only appointments where a proposal was sent – perhaps the instruction was won at the appointment.

For more information visit https://www.kerfuffle.com/suppliers/acaboom

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