How Is It Done? Bid Smart’s Guide to Crafting Winning Proposals (Part 4)

Welcome to Part 4 of our 6 part series where we will share our expertise and industry experience to discuss how we craft winning proposals.

Join us for each segment to learn the tricks of the bid management trade.

Part 4 - Be Clear and Concise

So far in this series we have discussed understanding the client's needs, the importance of structuring your proposal, and tailoring and fine tuning your responses. Next we go on to Part 4…

Be Clear and Concise

Proposals are often evaluated under tight time constraints, meaning clarity and brevity are critical. Avoid using overly technical jargon unless it’s necessary and ensure that every point is clearly explained.

• Use Simple, Direct Language: Aim to make your proposal easy to read and accessible to non-experts. Clear language also makes your proposal appear more professional and polished.

• Break Up Text: Long blocks of text can overwhelm the reader. Use bullet points, headings, and diagrams where appropriate to make the document easier to digest.

• Structure: When using paragraphs, keep to one subject or point per paragraph, this helps to keep the reader engaged.

• Remember to answer the question: It is easy to get carried away and forget what question you are answering. To avoid this, keep referring back to the question.

In conclusion, a clear and concise proposal is one that respects the evaluator’s time and delivers information with precision. By using straightforward language, breaking up text, maintaining a single focus per paragraph, and consistently addressing the client’s questions, you create a proposal that’s both impactful and reader-friendly. This approach not only makes your proposal easier to navigate but also reinforces your professionalism and dedication to meeting the client’s needs. A well-structured, accessible proposal is often the difference between standing out and blending in.

Join us next week for Part 5, where we will be focusing on the importance of answering the client’s questions. It seems obvious, but can be easily overlooked.

See you next week!