Can the proposal be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid in the United States under the ESIGN Act and state e‑signature laws such as UETA. Ensure the signer demonstrates intent, consents to electronic records, and the platform retains an auditable record.

Is notarization required for proposals?

Generally no for standard commercial proposals, but notarization or witnesses may be required for specific contract types or where state law or client policy demands it; verify on a case-by-case basis.

How do I correct a signed proposal?

Minor clerical errors should be corrected with an amendment signed by all parties. Avoid unilateral edits; use an addendum or replacement document with a clear version history and fresh signatures.

How long must I store signed proposals?

Retain executed proposals for the active term plus a retention period aligned with tax, audit, and industry rules. Many organizations keep contracts at least three to seven years.

What authentication options should I use?

Choose authentication level based on transaction risk: email link for low risk, SMS or two‑factor for medium risk, and knowledge-based or organization SSO for high-assurance needs.

What if a signer claims they did not sign?

Preserve the audit trail, timestamps, and authentication evidence. The audit record, combined with platform security controls and retention of communications, supports enforceability in disputes.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Marketing
Marketing Audit Proposal

Marketing Audit Proposal

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

MARKETING AUDIT PROPOSAL

This Marketing Audit Proposal ("Proposal") is entered into between the parties identified below for the purpose of conducting an independent review of current marketing activities, channels, assets, performance, and strategy, and providing actionable recommendations to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and ROI.

Parties and Effective Date

Client Name: Client Primary Contact: Client Contact Details (address, email, phone): Agency Name: Agency Primary Contact:

Effective Date:

Campaign / Project Overview

Campaign or Project Name: Objectives (measurable goals): Target Audience: Primary Channels to be Audited (select applicable):

Organic Social
Paid Social
SEO / Organic Search
Email Marketing
Content Strategy / Blog
Paid Search
Display / Programmatic
Affiliate / Partnerships
Other:

Scope of Audit

The Audit will include review and assessment of the following areas. Agency will identify gaps, provide prioritized recommendations, and estimate resource implications for implementation.

Brand positioning and messaging
Website performance, UX and SEO
Content audit and editorial strategy
Paid media structure and performance
Social media strategy and execution
Email program and automation
Analytics setup, tracking and data integrity
CRM / lead flow and attribution
Competitor benchmarking
Customer journey and conversion funnel
Creative effectiveness and messaging testing
Other (describe):

Deliverables

Agency will deliver the following items. Client must select required items; items not selected are excluded from the base fee unless subsequently agreed in writing.

Select Deliverables:

Executive summary with topline findings
Full audit report with prioritized recommendations
90-day prioritized implementation roadmap
High-level implementation plan and resource estimates
Channel performance scorecards and KPIs
Presentation workshop to review findings
Raw data exports and tracking audit logs
Follow-up consultation hours (specify below)

If follow-up consultation selected, number of hours: Additional notes on deliverables / custom requests:

Methodology and Access

Agency will conduct qualitative and quantitative review including systems access, asset inventory, analytics and tag inspection, media account review, creative and messaging review, and stakeholder interviews. Access required from Client includes analytics accounts, ad accounts, CMS, CRM, and any relevant reporting. Client must provide access within five (5) business days of Effective Date or timeline will be adjusted and additional fees may apply.

Access and Credentials Provided By:

Timeline & Milestones

Target start and completion dates and milestone due dates below are estimates and subject to timely access and cooperation from Client.

Estimated Start Date: Estimated Completion Date: Milestones (deliverable and due date):

Fees and Payment Terms

Client agrees to pay Agency the fees described below in consideration for the services and deliverables identified in this Proposal. Fees do not include third-party media spend or third-party software subscriptions unless expressly stated.

Total Audit Fee (USD): Deposit / Retainer (due upon acceptance): Payment Schedule and Terms: Reimbursable Expenses:

Late payments will accrue interest at a rate of 1.5% per month or the maximum permitted by law, whichever is less. Agency may suspend work if invoices are more than thirty (30) days past due.

Confidentiality

Each party will treat non-public information disclosed by the other party as confidential and will not use or disclose such information except as necessary to perform obligations under this Proposal. Confidential information does not include information that is or becomes public through no breach, was lawfully in a receiving party's possession prior to disclosure, or is required to be disclosed by law. If disclosure is compelled, the receiving party shall promptly notify the disclosing party and cooperate in any reasonable effort to limit disclosure.

Intellectual Property and Use of Deliverables

Upon full payment, Client is granted a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the deliverables provided under this Proposal for Client's internal business purposes. Agency retains ownership of agency-developed methodologies, frameworks, templates, and any pre-existing intellectual property. Any third-party materials (fonts, images, software) will be licensed to Client in accordance with third-party terms and may require additional fees.

Exclusivity

This Proposal does not create exclusive engagement rights unless expressly agreed in writing. If Client requests exclusivity for the audit scope, fees and territorial limits will be negotiated separately and documented as an amendment to this Proposal.

Compliance and Disclosure

Recommendations provided may include disclosure or promotional activities. Client agrees to comply with all applicable advertising, endorsement and disclosure laws, regulations, and industry guidelines when implementing any recommendations. Agency will flag items that may require disclosure but is not providing legal compliance clearance unless explicitly engaged to do so.

Termination and Kill Fee

Either party may terminate this Proposal upon fifteen (15) days' written notice. In the event of termination by Client other than for material breach by Agency, Client shall pay for all work performed to date, reasonable non-cancelable commitments made on Client's behalf, and a kill fee equal to the pro rata portion of the total Fee apportioned to work completed plus a 10% project closure charge. Any prepaid fees for unperformed work will be refunded, less sums due to Agency.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

Agency's liability for claims arising out of this Proposal shall be limited to direct damages up to the amount paid by Client to Agency under this Proposal. Neither party will be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages. Client agrees to indemnify and hold Agency harmless from claims arising from Client's use of deliverables, implementation of recommendations, or Client-provided materials.

Governing Law

This Proposal shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction specified by the parties in writing. Any dispute arising under this Proposal shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts agreed by the parties.

Acceptance

By signing below, Client accepts the scope, fees, terms and conditions of this Marketing Audit Proposal and authorizes Agency to proceed in accordance with the Effective Date above.

Client / Brand — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Agency — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Marketing Audit Proposal Is and what it includes

A Marketing Audit Proposal is a written offer that describes the scope, objectives, methodology, timeline, and fees for a formal marketing audit. It explains deliverables such as an executive summary, channel performance analysis, competitive benchmarking, recommendations, and implementation priorities. The proposal sets client expectations for access to data, required stakeholders, sample sizes, and review cycles, and it establishes legal and commercial terms for project commencement and final acceptance.

Why a clear proposal matters for audits

A well-structured Marketing Audit Proposal clarifies scope, reduces scope creep, aligns stakeholder expectations, and creates an auditable record for approvals and payments. It helps avoid misunderstandings about deliverables, timing, and data access while documenting responsibilities and legal terms for both parties.

Who typically requests or prepares this proposal

Use the proposal to document approvals, control scope, and create a traceable record for finance and legal teams.

Marketing directors and CMOs who need an independent assessment of performance and ROI
Marketing agencies and consultants preparing a formal offer and scope for clients
Procurement or operations teams that require written terms before budget release

Step-by-step: preparing and issuing the proposal

Follow a standard sequence to prepare, approve, send, and record the proposal to ensure clarity and legal validity.

01

Draft: Assemble scope, methodology, fees, and timelines in clear language.
02

Internal Review: Obtain review from finance, legal, and delivery leads before sending.
03

Send for Signature: Distribute via a trackable eSignature platform or PDF for signature.
04

Record: Store the executed proposal with the project folder and accounting records.

Typical digital workflow settings for online completion

Configure your digital workflow to include required fields, signer order, reminders, and authentication to reduce friction and maintain an audit trail.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Set sequence: client then provider for approval.
Authentication	Use email plus SMS code for higher assurance.
Reminders	Automated reminders at 3 and 10 days.
Audit Trail	Enable IP, timestamp, and action logging.

How to route and submit the signed proposal

Common routing paths include client signature, internal countersignature, and storage in a contract repository with notifications to finance and delivery teams.

Upload: Sender uploads the final PDF or template.
Assign: Place signature and data fields for each party.
Sign: Recipients authenticate and apply electronic signatures.
Archive: Store signed copy and audit trail in secure repository.

Technical considerations for eSubmission and storage

Ensure the platform retains a searchable audit trail and secure copies for the retention period mandated by your compliance profile.

File Formats: PDF and DOCX supported.
Integrations: Connect to CRMs and cloud storage.
Security: TLS and AES encryption required.

Essential sections to include in a professional proposal

A concise, well-organized proposal reduces negotiation time and supports contractual enforcement by clearly separating objectives, tasks, and terms.

Executive Summary

A brief overview that states key findings anticipated, primary objectives, and the value the audit will deliver to decision makers.

Scope & Objectives

Specific channels, timeframes, and performance metrics to be analyzed; define what is out of scope to limit disputes.

Methodology

Data sources, sampling approach, tools, and analytical methods used to derive conclusions and recommendations.

Deliverables

List of final outputs, format, number of revisions included, and any dashboards or workshops to be provided.

Timeline

Key milestones, dates for drafts and final delivery, and estimated client review windows to align expectations.

Terms & Fees

Commercial terms, payment schedule, confidentiality clauses, cancellation terms, and acceptance criteria for final deliverables.

Required client and project information

Client Name: Legal entity name

Primary Contact: Full name and email

Project Address: Street, city, state

Scope Dates: Start and end dates

Budget: Fixed fee or range

Access Rights: Data and analytics access

Practical tips to produce an accurate proposal

Apply consistent formatting, clear definitions, and version control. Keep assumptions explicit and include acceptance criteria to reduce ambiguity.

Define Scope Precisely

Use measurable metrics and explicit inclusions and exclusions to limit scope creep and disputes.

Include Acceptance Criteria

Specify how deliverables will be judged complete and who will sign off to avoid rework.

Document Assumptions

List assumptions about data quality, stakeholder availability, and third-party dependencies.

Keep Version Control

Apply version numbers and dates so all parties reference the same document.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a proposal

Vague scope language that leads to disputes or unfunded additional work during delivery.
Missing acceptance criteria, causing disagreements over whether deliverables meet expectations.
Incorrect or inconsistent contact and billing information that delays invoicing and payment.
Overly optimistic timelines that do not allow for client review cycles and data access delays.

Potential legal and commercial risks

Contract Dispute: Damages possible

Payment Delay: Invoice disputes likely

Scope Creep: Unpaid extra work

Data Breach: Liability exposure

Regulatory Non‑compliance: Sector fines possible

Reputational Harm: Client relationship risk

Typical timeline checkpoints and expected durations

Set clear review windows and milestone dates so both parties understand approval timing and delivery expectations.

Proposal Issue Date:

Date the proposal is sent to client for review

Client Review Window:

Commonly 7–14 calendar days for formal review

Fieldwork Start:

Start of data collection and interviews

Draft Delivery:

Submit draft report for comment and revision

Final Report:

Deliver final materials after agreed revision cycle

Key project milestones from proposal to delivery

Map sequential milestones so teams can track progress and identify gating items before each stage begins.

01

Request Received

Client asks for an audit and shares initial documents

02

Scope Approval

Client approves proposal and returns signed agreement

03

Audit Fieldwork

Data collection, interviews, and analytics work occur

04

Final Delivery

Present final report and any recommended road map

How a Marketing Audit Proposal differs from related documents

Compare common document types to select the right format for the engagement and to set correct expectations.

Document	Marketing Audit Proposal	Marketing Plan
Purpose	assess performance	guide future activity
Timing	one-off engagement	ongoing roadmap
Deliverable	analytical report	tactical plan
Typical Use	diagnostics and recommendations	implementation and budgeting

Typical eSignature vendor pricing and capability snapshot

Comparing common eSignature options can help teams estimate transaction costs and compliance features for executing proposals and contracts.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Real examples of proposals and outcomes

Two anonymized client stories illustrate how structured proposals supported scope clarity and compliant execution across organizations.

Optica Ventures

Optica requested a full-channel audit to prioritize spend and partnerships.

Small pilot with three channels informed the larger audit.
The structured proposal defined data access and deliverables, enabling timely approvals and a clearer path to implementation without scope disputes.

Fertility Centers of Illinois

A healthcare provider required strict data controls and auditability for marketing records.

The proposal specified HIPAA safeguards and BAA conditions.
By documenting compliance obligations and deliverables up front, the provider reduced legal review cycles and accelerated contract execution.

Representative signer roles and who should sign

Agency Principal

The agency principal or authorized officer signs to bind the service provider; include printed name, title, and authority statement to validate signatory power and support invoicing.

Client Authorized Signer

A client signatory with procurement or budget authority should sign to commit funds and resources; record job title and department for contract traceability and payment routing.

Frequently asked questions about the proposal process

Answers to common questions about electronic signing, notarization, legal validity, corrections, retention, and authentication for Marketing Audit Proposals.

Need help? Contact support

Can the proposal be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid in the United States under the ESIGN Act and state e‑signature laws such as UETA. Ensure the signer demonstrates intent, consents to electronic records, and the platform retains an auditable record.
Is notarization required for proposals?
Generally no for standard commercial proposals, but notarization or witnesses may be required for specific contract types or where state law or client policy demands it; verify on a case-by-case basis.
How do I correct a signed proposal?
Minor clerical errors should be corrected with an amendment signed by all parties. Avoid unilateral edits; use an addendum or replacement document with a clear version history and fresh signatures.
How long must I store signed proposals?
Retain executed proposals for the active term plus a retention period aligned with tax, audit, and industry rules. Many organizations keep contracts at least three to seven years.
What authentication options should I use?
Choose authentication level based on transaction risk: email link for low risk, SMS or two‑factor for medium risk, and knowledge-based or organization SSO for high-assurance needs.
What if a signer claims they did not sign?
Preserve the audit trail, timestamps, and authentication evidence. The audit record, combined with platform security controls and retention of communications, supports enforceability in disputes.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now