This is a vexing question for tender writers – just how do you undertake the tender writing process when you have no idea who you are writing to and what they expect. Well the answer is pretty simple really – you research, you read, you assess, you analyse and then you start the tender writing process.
In essence you need to ensure you craft a response that is interesting, informative and well written. Following are some key concepts to ensure your tender writing will hit the mark no matter who reads it:-
Make it Interesting
The key to anyone reading anything is to make it interesting. If you write in a droll boring manner then it will be certain to put the reader to sleep. So write with enthusiasm, with passion with verve and engage the reader. Draw them in and tell your story. The quality tender writer will have the reader interested and wanting to know more about this impressive company or organisation.
Use it as a “Sales” Document
Any tender should be seen as an opportunity to “sell” your services or products. This is your one chance or at least your once chance at this moment in time to tell the reader what a great business you are, how you can be relied upon, how you are focused on quality, on meeting customer needs, that you have the capacity to deliver on the requirements of this tender and you can deliver on time, first time, every time! So make sure you sell with sizzle!
Use Spell Check
One way to turn a reader off is to have a tender that has terrible grammar or spelling mistakes everywhere. No matter how patient and understanding a reader is – if the tender is hard to read, if it is really poorly written the chances are that no matter how great your price is – the tender just will fail to hit the mark.
Focus on Your Points of Difference
Evert business or organisation preparing a tender thinks obviously they are the entity that should win the tender. Well to get the attention of the assessors tell them why your business or organisation is different, why do you stand out from the competition. Discuss your strengths and outline any key innovations etc and subtly refer to the weaknesses of your opposition. Highlight the experience of your people or discuss some other aspect to your business or organisation that just sets you apart. The assessment panel don’t want to hear about same old same old – tell them why you are different!
Discuss Value Adding
Every tender writer for every organisation or business applying for the same tender as you will be trying to show the assessment panel how they can meet the requirements of the tender. Wouldn’t it be something different if you just didn’t meet the requirements of the tender but you exceeded them and you would VALUE ADD! This means that you will go above and beyond the specifications of the tender and maybe provide a higher quality product or service, offer a special discount or put in place a dedicated Accounts Manager. All of these concepts are seen as value adding. Value adding certainly will get their attention!
If you ponder on these concepts as a tender writer you will certainly improve the chances of the assessment panel reading your response with interest and these will give you a genuine edge in the tender writing process.
Contact us at Red Tape Busters – http://www.redtapebusters.com/ should you require more information about this article or if you require specialist grant or tender writing experience to help your organisation or business win grant funding or achieve successes with tenders.
Grant Writing | Tender Writing 