Writing Dos and Don’ts

Avoid the Speedbumps

Sub-standard proposal writing is a speed bump to evaluators and customers. Yes, small mistakes get noticed; and yes, small mistakes matter when it comes to proposal evaluation.Proposal writing is different from general business or technical writing. It includes elements of compliance and persuasion that aren’t always part of basic writing. Too much flare is a turnoff; too little technical information can mean being thrown out.Here are some basic dos and don’ts to help you avoid speedbumps in your proposal writing:

Do

Don’t

Write for the evaluator

Think it’s “all about us”

Keep sentences less than 20 words where possible

Use run-on sentences that confuse the reader

Leverage technology for accuracy and completeness

Rely too much on technology to “fix” your spelling, grammar, or usage mistakes

Answer the requirement or question concisely

Dance around the response

Focus on the benefit to the customer

Write about a never-ending list of features

Use active voice for persuasion

Write using consistently passive voice

Apply emphasis techniques that guide the reader (lists, captions, headings)

Use never-ending paragraphs that lose meaning

Follow the instructions—submit your proposal exactly how the customer wants it

Deviate from what the customer asks for

Following these simple guidelines won’t guarantee a winning proposal. But, they will eliminate irritating speed bumps that cause the evaluator or customer to pause.Learn more about proposal writing in our self-paced Proposal Writing course or our Live, Online POWeRful Proposal Writing course