Understanding and learning the process of writing tenders involves trial and error. Are your tenders failing to perform despite repeated efforts? If your responses are being constantly rejected, there might be certain errors that you’re overlooking. Tender writing is a skill that is honed after years of experience. In this post, we will help you discover some common tender writing mistakes. Let’s take a look.
Not focusing on the client
There’s no argument that a tender response is a tool to present your skills and experiences. But that doesn’t mean that the entire focus should be on you instead of the client. The client wants to know how your services can benefit them.
So craft your response in a way that prioritises their needs.
Not answering the question
Believe it or not, writing an irrelevant response is one of the most common mistakes. Before drafting a response, make sure you understand the client’s requirements. All your efforts will go to waste if you misinterpret the question or write an off-the-point response.
Irrelevant information
If you’re competing for a coveted tender, there must be several others trying as well. In such cases, the evaluator doesn’t have the time to go through unnecessarily stories to find the required information. Your response should be to the point and relevant.
Furthermore, you can use formatting tools to highlight key details to make assessment easier.
Insufficient information
An overly brief response is just as disadvantageous as a rambling response. Back all your claims with suitable evidence and detailed descriptions to establish credibility. An evaluator will only trust your achievements if there’s sufficient proof.
Incorrect formatting and poor presentation
In case you’re writing a response for NSW etendering, you need to follow the set format. Deviating from the format can get your response marked down or even rejected.
Similarly, the content of your response could be excellent but poor presentation will create an unfavourable impression.
Too much copying and pasting
Plagiarism is a big no-no, even for writing tenders. You can take inspiration from your previous responses, but avoid blatantly copying and pasting.
Grammatical errors
A single grammatical error can change the fate of your response. Grammatical errors reflect carelessness and you don’t want to send such a message to potential clients. Before sending out a response, review the document several times. You can also involve your team members to double-check it.
Writing a tender can’t be taken lightly when it holds the potential to change the course of your business. If you don’t have the skills or time to compose an engaging tender, there is no harm in seeking professional writing services.
Tim Entwisle is the Managing Director of Madrigal Communications , Tim has been running the organization successfully for over 12 years and has a diverse knowledge in public contracting and specialises in tender proposal writing.