Tender Writing – Getting the story right

Writing a tender proposal can take a great deal of time and resources, and as a result, it can be tempting to full throttle to get the tender done and out of the way. A winning tender proposal does not work with that approach. The correct answers are not always enough. A winning tender proposal will tell a story to convey the information.

Identify the tender requirements

Thoroughly read the entire Request for Tender (RFT). Are there word counts, specified fonts you must use or limits on illustrations or supporting material or documents you can provide? All your efforts will have been in vain if you are disqualified for not adhering to their specifications.

Know your audience

Knowing your audience will help you to know the language and jargon to use. Mirror their language in the RFT, throughout your response. It is also wise to write intelligently whilst keeping the lay person in mind. Do not assume your reader knows your industry.

Identify and focus on your key messages

Divide your focus on more than one message. Demonstrate to the tenderer that you are diverse and a capable company.

Some great key messages are:

How you offer best value for money

Evidence your service is top quality

How you can deliver on time and without risk and in-depth experience in doing so

Why the tenderer should place confidence in your company

How you will answer the current and future needs of the customer.

Get the tone right

A winning tender proposal will have very clear and concise language. Make your tone active rather than passive. This means making your proposal sound more convincing by using worlds like, ‘will’ instead of ‘aim’ or ‘could’.

Think about how you will set out your proposal

Each response should have a clear summary statement and then go on to detail the process in full, with each supporting point having a new paragraph.

Proof reading and editing are your best tool

If you have established that the tenderer has any exact requirements, it is vital that you double check to see that you have complied with them all. Use a critical eye to look at your proposal layout. Is your proposal set out clear and concise? Have you broken up the text and summarise content appropriately with the good use of subheadings and bullet points? Is the style of your tender proposal consistent throughout? It is important to make your proposal easy for assessors to digest.

Have someone else look at it

Allow time in your tender timetable for an in-depth review. Ask someone else to cross check that each question has been answered. They need to check that your response complies with all set guidelines and that it is grammatically correct and contains no spelling mistakes. It is a wise idea to consider employing a professional tender writer. The Red Tape Busters team of professional tender writers are experienced and understand the nuances of the tender writing process. Teaming up with one of the RTB specialists can allow you to put your focus where it is needed, your business. Red Tape Busters team can help whether you require a tender writer Queensland, a tender writer New South Wales, a tender writer Melbourne or anywhere across our nation.