Top Tips - UK Bid Writer

Writing to Word Limits – Part 1: Understanding Word Limits

Why do buying organisations impose word limits in tenders? What purposes do they serve for both buyers and bidders? Part 1 of my series ‘Writing to Word Limits’ explains why word limits are a good thing and how you can use them to your benefit.

Response Libraries – Pros and Cons

What’s a response library? A response library, tender library or bid library, is a set of semi-standard answers containing information you are most likely to be asked in any given tender. On the surface, a response library seems like a no-brainer – the aim is to maintain a collection of answers to previous bids, relevant […]

What do points make? Confusion, mostly

One of the most baffling aspects of tendering is the points and weighting system. I am still on my epic search for a clear and simple written guide that explains how weighting and points relate to each other and how they affect the bidder – until then, here’s my own very much condensed overview, which […]

Business Continuity Plans – What are they and why might you need one?

How would your business cope during a global zombie outbreak? What if aliens invade? In this post I explain Business Continuity Plans - what they are, what they're not, why you need to have one and what you should put in it.

You Couldn’t Make It Up!

Or rather, you shouldn't. Another important aspect of bid writing that – done well – will help you get the best out of your bid writer.

Experience Essential?

When I’m asked what exactly it is I do for a living, one of the best ways I've found to describe bids and tenders is ‘a bit like writing a job application but for a whole company’. It’s not entirely accurate; there are obviously many differences, but it’s similar enough to get my point across. I’d like to address one of those similarities today, because understanding it is crucial to success in tendering and because it’s something that I frequently find myself explaining to new or potential clients.

Confounded by confusing words? A list to ensure your meaning is clear

In any writing - but especially bid writing - it's important that what you mean isn't lost through what you say. I'm thoroughly enjoying Liz Broomfield's 'Troublesome Pairs' over at Libroediting - an explanation of commonly confused or abused words.

Top Tips – Responding to Tenders

Tenders can seem daunting and sometimes incomprehensible. Never fear: These tips – gathered from my own experience on both sides of the tender minefield – will help you make sense of the jargon, understand the lengthy list of ‘rules’ and give you the confidence to bid for contracts.

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