You’ve found a tender that you want to submit a bid for? That’s great news.
However, unless you have experience writing bids, the process can be a bit overwhelming. If you want to succeed in your bid for new business, keep reading. We’re going to provide you with a list of tips that should increase your chances of success.
1. Make Sure You Meet the Minimum Requirements
First things first, you need to make sure you meet the minimum requirements that the business is asking for. If you don’t, you’re not only wasting your time but the client’s as well. The bid documents should spell out what is required, so make sure you meet these and avoid bidding for jobs that you don’t qualify for.
2. Don’t Assume the Client Knows Who You Are
When writing a bid, you need to provide as much detail about yourself and the company you work for as possible. Imagine that the client has no idea who you are or what your company does. This is something you should always do.
3. Answer All the Questions in Full
When bid writing, you will usually be given a word count that you are required to meet for each answer. If the client is asking for 100 words on one question, you know they only required a short, succinct response. If, however, they are asking for 1,000 words, this means they want detail. Make sure that your responses are as close to the word count as possible, and at least 80% of what they require.
4. Read the Submission Instructions
Every bid will have its own submission instructions, and it’s important that you follow these to the letter. Check to see what format the bid needs to be submitted in, and leave yourself enough time to post hard copies if these are required.
5. Don’t Be Modest
Bid writing doesn’t call for modesty. Instead, you need to sell your company as best you can while remaining honest. It does take time to write a good bid, but with any luck, your company will reap the rewards when you are successful.
6. Provide Substance
Where possible, you should provide substance for your answers. If you or your company have won awards, be sure to mention these. If you have specific qualifications which make you especially suited for the job, mention these as well. Statistics, awards, and qualifications all add substance to a bid and can make the difference between success and failure.
7. Proofread Thoroughly
Finally, before you send off your bid, it’s vital that you proofread it for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. Nothing shows that you don’t care more than a bid that is full of mistakes. If you struggle in this area, ask a professional proofreader or bid writing company to check it. Again, make sure you leave time for this.
Even if you are new to tender writing, there is no reason you can’t deliver a successful bid if you keep the above tips in mind.