If you’re a bid writer or subject matter expert contributing to a submission, always edit your work before handing it over to the bid manager, regardless of whether or not it will be the subject of further treatment by another writer or an editor.

The following is Part One of a checklist you’ll want to apply to your work before handing it up the line: 

• Is my introductory paragraph compelling?

• Have I proceeded to the main point/s as quickly as possible?

• Have I established credibility on behalf of my company, where this is necessary?

• Have I answered the question – directly, and in the required amount of detail?

• Have I provided data and any other form of proof point necessary, with regard to any claim I have made?

• Have I been clear in terms of the key messages I intended to communicate?

• Have I rolled these out and/or developed my case in a logical order?

• Have I framed the material from the client’s point of interest – in all regards?

• Have I adhered closely to the themes, content and instructions of the guiding bid strategy document? Have I employed these in a manner that helps to differentiate my company and our offering from the competition’s likely proposition?

• Have I focused on communicating benefits; not just features?

Go to Part Two here.