7 Steps to a Professional Bid

A presentation by Sharon Hurley Hall

1. Read the briefFind out:• What your clients want• How your skills match up

2. IntroductionsDo your potential clients know you?If not:• Give them some background• State what you do• Show your experience

3. Provide More Details• Why are you right for their job?• List relevant experience• Highlight skills and qualities• Mention previous clients in a similar niche• Show samples and testimonials

4. Bid• What will you do?• How will you work?• Communication/approval needs• Delivery/deadlines• The bottom line

5. Follow UpEnd your bid with:• Other relevant info• A link to your client website• Answers to client questions• An invitation to discuss the job further• Contact details

6. Simplifying the ProcessMake bidding easier by:• Keeping track of successful bids• Collating words and phrases you like• Using these to creating a template• BUT every bid is unique – the template is a starting point.

7. Keep it ProfessionalYou don’t know how people will read your bid so:• Use a professional tone• Avoid humor which might be misunderstood• Watch out for spelling, grammar and punctuation

More Information• Seven Steps to a Professional Bid• Toot Your Own Horn