Bids and proposals
Articles and resources from bid specialists to help you plan, write and manage winning bids and proposals
Contents
Featured
Make AI your assistant
Five ways to create a winning proposal under pressure using AI
Marketing strategy
How to write a winning marketing proposal [with presentation template]
Writing for fundraising
How to write a compelling needs statement for a grant proposal
Grant-writing strategy
Why grant proposals are rejected (and what to do if yours is)
All articles
Five ways to create a winning proposal under pressure using AI
How to write a winning marketing proposal [with presentation template]
How to write a compelling needs statement for a grant proposal
Why grant proposals are rejected (and what to do if yours is)
Goals, objectives, outcomes and more: navigating the language of grant proposals
How to create and manage a better bid library
Asking tender clarification questions: a best practice guide [with examples]
How to create strong tender responses with subject matter experts
Business proposals: start where the reader is
Tender responses 101: win themes and USPs
Five things to remember when writing your first bid
Put yourself in pole position to win the biggest deals using thought leadership
Nine ways to win more work with your bids
Executive summaries for bids and proposals: a Q&A
What is ego depletion and why every bid writer needs to know
Is your bid presentation pushing prospects into the cold?
Bid management: a step-by-step guide
Better bid/no-bid decisions – three signs you should say no
Want to give your bids the winning edge? Use theme statements
How to boost your bid win rate by ghosting your competitors
A guide to social value and how to respond to social value questions in tenders
How to write a case study for a bid
How to write winning bids with tight limits on characters, words or pages
The essential guide to PQQs (or SQs) in bid writing
How to write a winning executive summary for your bid [with example]
The ‘Four Ps’ of proposal writing
How to write an effective elevator pitch – and use it in your business [with examples]
Quick questions
For those answers that don't need a full article
The pre-qualification questionnaire (or PQQ) comes out before the tender, and potential suppliers complete it. Its main purpose is to help the buyer identify any would-be suppliers who don’t fit the basic requirements of the contract. Those suppliers then wouldn’t go on to submit a tender, so both the supplier and buyer save time and money they’d otherwise waste.
The PQQ has now essentially been replaced by the standard selection questionnaire (SQ). The terms are still sometimes used interchangeably.
The PQQ has now essentially been replaced by the standard selection questionnaire (SQ). The terms are still sometimes used interchangeably.
A bid library is an archived resource of responses and supporting material from previous tenders. You can use the material for reference as you write new tender responses or reuse sections of copy for subject areas common to most tenders.
This falls into the ‘How long is a piece of string?’ category of questions. There is no one answer here, but often you’ll be told how long your grant proposal should be by the potential funder. If there’s no guidance on length, essentially your proposal should be (only) long enough to succinctly make your case and provide the necessary information. Aim to be as succinct as possible, and be careful not to pad with waffle or anything that doesn’t further your case.
Ah, you’ve heard about the Four Ps structure!
To answer your question: yes, absolutely. And that’s good. At that initial stage, what you’re trying to do is to get them nodding – and to see that you’ve been listening and have understood exactly what it is they want to fix or change.
Once you’ve done that, you’re in the strongest position to tell them why your solution will solve the problem they have or create the result they want.
To answer your question: yes, absolutely. And that’s good. At that initial stage, what you’re trying to do is to get them nodding – and to see that you’ve been listening and have understood exactly what it is they want to fix or change.
Once you’ve done that, you’re in the strongest position to tell them why your solution will solve the problem they have or create the result they want.
Useful resources
Prompting success
The Boardroom Advantage
Report briefing template
Proofreading checklist
Case studies
See how we've helped our clients
Corporate communications
Tailored treatment means healthier writing at The King’s Fund
The King’s Fund
Bids and proposals
Liverpool John Moores University boosts sales-writing skills with bespoke training programme
Liverpool John Moores University
Business report writing
Making crucial health information accessible for the people who need it
The Health Policy Partnership
Business report writing, Professional email writing
Heartlands High School invests in better writing skills for a stronger future
Heartlands High School
Business report writing
Turning complex information into impactful research reports at CFE
CFE Research
Corporate communications, Writing for marketing
Transforming opinion writing at EY for insights that get press attention
EY
Business report writing, Writing to the board
'We cut the iterations on our strategy documents from 56 to just 4!'
Shawbrook Bank
Bids and proposals
How a tiny team at a children’s charity won the biggest contract of their lives
One YMCA
Business writing essentials, Writing to customers
Demystifying legal speak at Nabarro for a rebrand that sets it apart from the competition
Nabarro
Professional email writing
Small UK charity makes big international impact thanks to clear, convincing communications
Refugee Rights Europe
