Writing Winning Sales Proposals & Bids

Duration: 1 day

Writing effective proposals to tight deadlines takes a lot of skill. If you have to produce sales proposals or bids under pressure, this training course is for you.

Objectives: By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Write in a style that motivates your client to buy
• Identify the most suitable structure for your bid proposal
• Write an Executive Summary
• Look at different ways to portray a sales message
• Develop confidence in writing a winning proposal bid

Course Content

Developing the concept

• Having a clear message
• Using a story board to develop your strategy

Analysing your reader

• Distinguishing the different types of reader for your bid document
• Dealing with a mixed audience
• Meeting the expectations of each reader

Gathering information

• Finding your information
• Managing the process of gathering information

Designing your structure

• Understanding the different ways you can structure your bid
• Using mind maps and an outline to structure and sequence your material
• Presenting adequate information to support your ideas
• Creating an Executive Summary

Developing your writing style

• Common pitfalls in bid writing
• Principles of clear writing
• The best style for your proposal

Drafting your proposal

• The importance of the correct mindset for writing a winning bid
• Putting it all together
• How to avoid getting side tracked when writing your draft

Designing your illustrations

• Why use illustrations
• When to use illustrations in a proposal
• Where to place illustrations
• Establishing a consistent style for illustrations

Editing your proposal

• How to polish your text
• Checking that your writing style is consistent
• Using headings, lists and tables
• How to make it easy to read

Getting it right

• Getting the most out of spelling and grammar checkers
• Achieving maximum impact
• Handling version control of the documents
• Using templates to create a consistent layout
• How to proof your own work

Please bring a bid proposal with you to develop throughout the day.