Resources - UK Bid Writer

Tips & Resources: Archive

UK Bid Writer is no longer an active service.

This site is retained as an archive of articles, podcast episodes and selected evidence from Lyndsey Wray’s earlier work helping UK SMEs navigate bids, tenders and commercial readiness. UK Bid Writer launched in 2018. This archive also includes earlier material published under predecessor practice names.

These articles were published over a number of years and are retained as a historical resource. Some refer to procurement rules, platforms or market conditions that may have changed since publication.

Check the original date and current authoritative sources before relying on the information.

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Tips & Resources

Over many years I developed and produced articles and other resources designed to help UK SMEs find the right contracts to tender for, understand the processes involved and improve their bid writing and management skills.

: All-time top 5 posts about bids and tenders
11 Jan 02:56 pm
I'm currently planning out my 'how to' and other posts for 2018; in the meantime, click through...

: What happens when the bid writer bids for a contract?
19 Jan 12:44 pm
A learning curve with a sharp drop.

: Bid writing training vs coaching: which is best for you and your staff?
18 Jan 11:41 am
There are many types of bid writing training out there - which is best for you?

: Where to find tenders – a list
9 Dec 10:08 am
Looking for tenders? Here's a pretty extensive list of where you can find them (and what to...

: 2 reasons you should ask for feedback on your tenders, even when you win
5 Oct 12:32 pm
You've won your tender, so why bother with feedback? Here's two good reasons.

: Are you ‘tender ready’? 5 things to consider before you start writing your bid
27 Sep 12:06 pm
You've found a tender that's right for your business and you're about to take the plunge. Here's...

: To bid or not to bid? How to work out which tenders are right for your business
20 Sep 01:48 pm
Responding to tenders takes time and effort. Here's how to decide which contracts are right for your...

: What is ‘social value’ and how can it give smaller companies the edge when tendering?
6 Sep 01:41 pm
Many tenders look for the 'social value' bidders can offer on top of their goods and services....

: Using Structure & Narrative to Write Compelling, Compliant Bids – New 2 Part Series
11 Jul 11:32 am
My new 2 part series shows you how to build a fail-safe structure for your tender responses...

: Bid Writing – Structure & Narrative Part 1 – The Foundations of a Great Tender Response
11 Jul 11:23 am
Part 1 in my series on structure and narrative in bid writing - how to structure your...

: Bid writing – Structure & Narrative Part 2 – Telling Your Story
11 Jul 11:11 am
Part 2 in my series on structure and narrative in bid writing - how to weave a...

: Bid themes – a help or a hindrance?
7 Jul 10:27 am
What are bid themes and are they always right for your bid? Here's a (very) short post...

: Brexit: What it means for UK procurement
5 Jul 11:12 am
How will the UK’s exit from the EU affect procurement rules and practices? Here's the early view.

: 5 ways to improve your tender response
7 Jun 12:42 pm
The deadline’s looming, you’ve burned the midnight oil and answered all the questions. Before you upload all...

: How is writing a bid like baking a cake?
18 May 10:02 am
It's all about the ingredients you use and what you do with your sprinkles.

: Reusing bid content – a warning
15 Mar 12:21 pm
Why reusing bid content is a recipe for disaster: an honest look at why your success rates...

: Met Office misses out on contract renewal
25 Aug 10:51 am
The BBC has not renewed its 93 year contract with the Met Office for weather services. How...

: Finding opportunities – how to use ‘TED’ (Tenders Electronic Daily)
2 Dec 10:00 am
Searching for suitable tender opportunities can be tedious. My guide to using TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and...

: Writing to Word Limits – a new 3 part series
13 Aug 12:05 pm
Do word limits in tenders fill you with terror or joy? My new, 3 part series will...

: Word Limits – Part 3: Why brevity is your friend
13 Aug 12:05 pm
TMI? How can you edit your tender response to fit word limits, without losing the vital details...

: Word Limits – Part 2: Why stating your intentions is not enough
13 Aug 12:04 pm
Lost for words? How can you fully answer a tender question and give the buyer enough detail...

: Writing to Word Limits – Part 1: Understanding Word Limits
13 Aug 12:04 pm
Why do buying organisations impose word limits in tenders? What purposes do they serve for both buyers...

: Response Libraries – Pros and Cons
14 Jul 01:05 pm
What’s a response library? A response library, tender library or bid library, is a set of semi-standard...

: What do points make? Confusion, mostly
2 May 04:00 pm
One of the most baffling aspects of tendering is the points and weighting system. I am still...

: Business Continuity Plans – What are they and why might you need one?
28 Oct 11:38 am
How would your business cope during a global zombie outbreak? What if aliens invade? In this post...

: You Couldn’t Make It Up!
17 Jul 01:03 pm
Or rather, you shouldn't. Another important aspect of bid writing that – done well – will help you...

: Experience Essential?
10 Apr 01:58 pm
When I’m asked what exactly it is I do for a living, one of the best ways...

: Are your policies ‘tender ready’?
26 Feb 05:02 pm
You can be pretty sure that most PQQs will require you to provide copies of your policies...

: Download Business Link’s entire guide to public sector tendering in one handy PDF!
26 Jul 01:26 pm
More useful stuff related to public sector tendering, in the form of a handy PDF, which contains...

: Confounded by confusing words? A list to ensure your meaning is clear
20 Feb 04:23 pm
In any writing - but especially bid writing - it's important that what you mean isn't lost...

: Top Tips – Responding to Tenders
31 Mar 06:23 pm
Tenders can seem daunting and sometimes incomprehensible. Never fear: These tips – gathered from my own...

Tips & Resources: Archive

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