Seven Steps To A Professional Bid

Bidding can be one of the hardest things to get right. Someone asked me the other day if I had a bidding template. I’ve discussed bidding before, but for those who missed it, here’s a snapshot of my approach to bidding.

1. Read The Brief

I start by reading the brief carefully so that I can identify how my skills match what the client wants. If they don’t, then there’s little point in bidding.

2. Introduce Yourself

The people I am writing to don’t know me, so I start my bid with an introduction. It basically says that I am a freelance writer/ghostwriter/blogger (whichever is most appropriate) and mentions how long I have been doing this job.

3. Cut To The Chase

My potential client has little time to waste, so my next sentence cuts to the chase. It says why I would be perfect for the job. This can take different forms. Depending on what seems most important to the client, I may:

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• list the different types of writing or blogging I have done that are relevant to the job

• include the names of some of my clients (those who are happy to be identified)

• highlight qualities such as being a native English speaker, good with deadlines and so on.

4. Back Up Your Claims

Next, I back this up with some proof, including links to my resume, testimonials and relevant examples of work (not too many), then I give my bid for the job. By the time I get to the figure, I hope I have already sold the client on my services.

5. Follow Up Info

Just in case there’s any doubt, I follow this up with:

• any relevant information IÂ haven’t already mentioned

• the link to my professional website (as opposed to the specific pages I have listed earlier

• an invitation to the client to get in touch to discuss the bid further

Within this general template, there is some flexibility. For example, if clients ask specific questions, then I include the answers in my bid.

6. Creating A Template

Once you’ve done a few of these bids, you will be able to put together a single document that has versions of the usual sentences you use. This will help you to bid faster and more effectively. (I’ll be honest: I haven’t actually put them all together — at least, not recently — but I do keep an email folder with the text of my most successful bids so I can adapt them if needed.)

7. Keep It Professional

One final word — tone. Some people are good at making cheeky, cheerful bids that make the clients laugh their way into handing over the job. If you can do it and it’s right for the job, then go for it. I’m not one of those people, though, so I tend to play it straight. Although I use an informal style, I still aim for a professional appearance — there is no text speak in my bids. My bid is the first chance clients have to see my writing, so I make sure each bid is properly spelled and punctuated and grammatically correct.