Ten Tips to Win Your Next Tender Application





Many small businesses recognize the value of a well written tender application to help them land new and repeat business. Yet many tender applications writers leave their submissions to the last minute and don’t engage the right people or skills for the task.  I’ll be the first to admit that tender writing can be tedious, but when you finally land that next big contract, the effort will be all worth it.  It pays to make the effort with the tender application writing chore.  So, here are our top tips for writing great tender applications.
1. Tender Application Writing: Be Sure You Can Deliver
Before you begin, develop a capability statement that gives an honest assessment of what your company can realistically achieve. Yes, you might want to reach for the stars, but you’re not going to get there without the necessary equipment, fuel and personnel.  
  
2. Tender Application Writing: Read the Request for Tender Very Carefully
All good tender writers read the tender documents thoroughly before they begin.  You may think this goes without saying but you need to ensure that you meet the criteria and understand exactly what is required.  
3. Tender Application Writing: Answer the Criteria
No matter how much spin you put on your tender writing application, you will not win the job if you cannot demonstrate that you meet the criteria.  Provide specific examples of how you meet the tender application selection criteria rather than simply stating that you do. It is important to highlight your credentials and provide verifiable experience, as well as explaining how your approach to delivering the tender will meet the buyer's needs. Identify the requirements that are most important to the buyer and cater for this in your tender response.

5. Tender Application Writing: Complete Every Section
Answer every question and do it in the order they appear in the ‘request for tender’ document so you don’t miss anything.  

6. Tender Application Writing: Don’t Rehash Your Work
Not all tender writing applications are the same, so avoid the copy/paste function on your computer.  Treat each tender writing application on its merits.  The best tender application writers tailor each application to meet the needs of the business for which they hope to provide services.

7. Tender Application Writing: Use Compelling Referees
All good tender application writers know that a key part of delivering a successful tender response is choosing the right referees. Use referees that know your products or services. Make sure you get permission to use referees before including them in your response. Brief them on the highlights of the request so they can target their comments to the job specifications.
8. Tender Application Writing: Provide Accurate Quotations
Sure, you want to try to undercut the competition by providing a competitive price.  However, you do not want to make the mistake of underestimating in your budget.  Good tender writers spent a lot of time researching and providing very thorough budgets.  Fudge this section at your own peril!

9. Tender Application Writing: Proofread it to Death
Nothing erodes your credibility faster than poor grammar, spelling and punctuation.  Get someone independent of the tender writing process to check your work to see if it makes sense.  Get a second opinion.  You cannot over-proofread your tender, so put in the effort at this step.  It may be the difference between your response or another company’s response being selected.

10. Tender Application Writing: Get Professional Help
Whether you’re a veteran tender writer or new to the game, consider getting some professional tender writing help.  Red Tape Busters are specialist in grant and tender writing and can help your organisation or business win grant funding or achieve successes with tenders. Visit http://www.redtapebusters.com/  for more information. We are specialists in providing the following services:
· Lobbying;
· Tender Application Writing;
· Grant Application Writing;
· Resumes/Job Applications;
· Organisational/Business Development.

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