If you have a vital ‘must win’ contract to retain, you may be considering outsourcing the bid writing and management of the bid to a bid writing company to give you the best possible chance of winning. With quite a few bid writing companies now springing up, how do you pick the right one for you? We explore some essential factors to consider when making this important decision.

1. Reputation and Track Record

Before engaging a bid writing company, it’s crucial to assess their reputation and track record. It’s a good idea to look for testimonials from past clients and Google reviews. How long have they been going for? A reputable company will have a proven track record of delivering successful bids across various sectors. If you need more information on projects which the company have worked on, ask for references from their clients.

2. Expertise and Industry Knowledge

It’s useful to choose a bid writing company with expertise and industry knowledge relevant to your sector. However, don’t forget that a good bid writing company will be able to adapt to working for a business in almost any sector, since the knowledge and skills required are transferrable if they are good bid writers. Look for one that has experience in a variety of areas and can use that expertise to good use for you.

3. Personable, with a Collaborative Approach

Before hiring a bid writing company, speak to them once or twice to get a feel for them and whether or not you feel you can work closely with them. Are they asking you all the right questions? Do you feel at ease with them and get on well? Treat this stage a bit like a job interview. 

Choose a company that values collaboration and plans to work closely with your team throughout the process. They should be willing to listen to your input, understand your requirements and then tailor the bid accordingly. A collaborative approach will ensure that the bid reflects your organisation’s unique strengths and capabilities.

A good bid writing company will want to know your requirements for a particular project, but a great one will get to know you and your business inside out so that when they put your bid together, they will be able to truly represent your company in its best light. If you use them more than once, then each time they write a bid and get to know you a little bit more  it will be a better bid than the one before!

4. Value for Money

While cost is an important consideration, it should not be the sole determining factor when selecting a bid writing company. Instead, focus on the value proposition offered by the company. Consider factors such as the quality of their work, references, how willing they are to let you speak with their clients, how well you get on with them (gut feeling), testimonials and the level of support provided throughout the bidding process. Investing in a reputable bid writing company can yield significant returns in terms of securing lucrative contracts and lead to a long-term working relationship.

5. Flexibility and Adaptability

Bidding requirements can vary greatly depending on the client, project and industry. Choose a bid writing company that demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in their approach. They should be able to tailor their services to meet your specific needs and accommodate any changes or revisions throughout the bidding process.

Selecting the right bid writing company is a critical decision that can significantly impact your organisation’s success in securing contracts. Investing time and effort in selecting the right partner will ultimately pay off.

If you think you might need some extra help to get your business to where it needs to be, bid-wise, email Winning Tenders at info@winningtenders.com or call us at 01392 247997. We are a small and personable, award-winning business with a wealth of experience and knowledge. We offer bespoke solutions for any size of business. We have been around since 2008. We would definitely like a chat…