Everyone has to start somewhere. And when it comes to public sector bidding, the first step is usually figuring out how to write a strong, compliant, and clear response.
If you’re new to bid writing, this guide will help you lay the groundwork, from understanding the documents to telling your story well.
1. Understand what you’re responding to
Before you write a single word, take the time to understand the opportunity inside out. That means reading all the documents in the tender pack carefully. You want to get to grips with the specification, the evaluation criteria, and the instructions for responding.
It’s not just about answering the questions. It’s about answering them in the way the buyer wants. Look out for how each question will be scored, any word or page limits, and any attachments you need to include, like policies or case studies.
This might feel slow, but it’s the foundation of a good bid. Miss something early on, and it can trip you up later.
2. Plan your bid writing approach
Once you know what the buyer is asking for, outline a simple writing plan. Break down each question into the key things you need to cover, and consider who will be best placed to provide input. If you’re working as a team, decide who will draft what and set internal deadlines so you’re not rushing at the end.
Bid writing is much more manageable when you give yourself structure. Writing without a plan can lead to missed points, inconsistent tone, and unnecessary stress.
3. Write clearly and with purpose
Public sector evaluators may have dozens of bids to get through. Your job is to make their reading experience as easy as possible.
Write clearly and directly, keeping your sentences concise and focused on what the buyer is asking. Avoid marketing fluff and jargon – use plain language and, where it helps, structure your answers with subheadings or short paragraphs to keep things easy to follow.
And always keep the evaluation criteria close by. Ask yourself: Does this sentence help score points? If not, you might not need it.
4. Showcase your experience with evidence
It’s one thing to say you can do something, but bid evaluators want to see proof.
If you mention your strong customer service, back it up with a satisfaction rating or explain how you handle support requests. If you say you’re experienced in delivering similar work, reference a relevant project and what outcomes you achieved.
Real examples, references to standards, and meaningful data will all help your responses land with more weight.
5. Review, refine, and proof your bid writing
Once your draft is written, don’t rush to submit. Revisit the questions and check that you’ve answered everything clearly and completely. If you can, get a second pair of eyes on your responses to spot any gaps or awkward phrasing.
Finally, give your bid a proper proofread. It might not win or lose you the bid on its own, but typos, formatting errors or missing attachments can undermine your credibility.
Starting in bid writing can feel like a big step, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. If you’d like support reviewing your responses, building your bid writing confidence, or understanding how buyers score your answers, our team is here to help. It’s what we do every day, and we’re always happy to share what we’ve learned along the way. Check out our bid support services here.
