An effective bid writer is an asset to any organisation. In a situation where a document is required to win work, the bid writer plays in essential part in conveying the organisation’s messages to the client. Whether the document is a bid, a proposal or a tender, it is vital that the text highlights the strengths and addresses all the client’s needs.
In this short article, we look at the skills and responsibilities of a bid writer as well as some possible career options.
A Bid Writer’s Skills
One of the most important skills a bid writer must possess is close attention to detail. This may involve proofreading the text before submission, noticing inconsistencies across a large document or ensuring every compliance-type question is addressed correctly.
When writing bids or contributing to large tenders, the bid writer will have to write clearly and concisely to address all the points in the invitation to tender (ITT) or request for proposal (RFQ). Their grammar and punctuation must be accurate and they must be able to write meaningful sentences that are easy to read.
Time-management will help when juggling multiple responsibilities. Many bid writers will be involved with multiple bids or proposals at the same time; all bid writers will have to meet inflexible deadlines. Organisational skills will be useful to ensure everything is under control while good communication skills will ensure that other people in the bid team know what is expected of them.
Responsibilities of a Bid Writer
As a qualified bid manager I am often asked “what is a bid writer”? The answer is that it depends on the organisation they work for however there are some responsibilities which are the same irrespective of the size or type of the company.
As well as writing bids, it is likely they will help identify biddable opportunities through on-line portals and company websites. They will gather standard material to complete Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) or European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) questions. The bid writer will check the rules the bid must follow and will be involved in structuring and formatting the bid document.
Another role taken by many bid writers is to track their organisation’s wins and ensure that lessons are learned from feedback.
A more light-hearted answer to “what is a bid writer?” is “someone who creates a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”.
Bid Writing Support
At Rothera Group we are able to assist your business with bid writing training or bid writing support if you require assistance with important bids. View our bid writing services.
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