Start with the decision in front of the client
The first paragraph should make the client feel the proposal was written for this job, not pulled from a saved pitch. Name the result, risk, or constraint they are trying to handle.
Skip generic introductions. A strong opening shows you understood the work before you started selling yourself.
Use one proof point
Choose the proof that best matches the job. One relevant project, outcome, or process detail is easier to trust than a long capability list.
If the proof needs explanation, make it practical: what problem existed, what you changed, and why that matters to this client.
End with a small next step
Close the opening with a simple next action: a clarifying question, a suggested first milestone, or an invitation to compare scope. The goal of the first reply is momentum, not a full sales argument.