How to Write Better Bids and Actually Win More Work

Bidding can be frustrating - especially when you lose a contract you were confident you could deliver. Tight deadlines, missing information, stretched teams… it’s no wonder so many suppliers end up submitting a bid that feels rushed or underpowered. 

If that sounds familiar and you're ready to take control of your bidding process, stop wasting time, and start winning more work, these ten practical tips are for you. 

These are simple changes that make a real difference in how your bids are received and scored. 

Top 10 Bid Writing Tips to Help You Win More Often 

1. Be Clear on What and How Always explain what you’ll do...and how you’ll do it in response to each requirement. Be direct, structured, and outcome focused. 

2. Add Value Wherever You Can Don’t just answer the question - elevate your response. Include relevant, client focused insights that go beyond the minimum to differentiate your offer. 

3. Treat Your Bid Like a Project Create a clear bid plan with timelines, owners, and checkpoints. Sticking to it will reduce stress, late nights, and rushed responses. 

4. Appoint a Single Point of Control A dedicated Bid Manager keeps everyone aligned. Equip them with the insight, content and authority to lead with purpose, not just chase inputs. 

5. Know How You’ll Be Scored Before writing a word, understand the evaluation model. Focus your answers where the marks are and back every claim with evidence. 

6. Apply the '3Ps Process': Problem – Proposal – Proof Tackle each response by addressing the buyer’s problem, presenting your proposal and backing it with real world evidence. 

7. Stick to Word Limits but Use Every Word Wisely Use bullet points, diagrams and formatting to fit more valuable content without overloading. Clarity and impact matter more than volume. 

8. Use Strong, Relevant Case Studies Choose past projects that reflect the buyer’s priorities. Spell out the benefits delivered, not just the activities completed. 

9. Prepare Your References If you're offering client references, brief them properly. Make sure they know what you’re bidding for and how to reinforce your credibility. 

10. Write for Humans Use plain English, simple structure, and clear messaging. Make your evaluator’s job easier and they’ll reward you for it. 

Top Tip: Know Your Audience 

Don’t just write for procurement, write for everyone who will read your submission. Technical reviewers, operational leads, stakeholders. Shape your answers to resonate with each group, showing clarity, capability and personality. 

Bidding is a Skill You Can Master 

Like any business discipline, great bidding is about structure, practice and mindset. You don’t have to rip up your approach, you just need to take small, consistent steps toward writing clearer, stronger, more client focused responses. 

Ready to Improve Your Bids and Win More Work? 

At Vision TDM, we help bidders sharpen their strategy, structure their story, and score higher by aligning every response with what buyers really want to see. 

If you're ready to improve your win rate, start with a no-obligation bid review or strategy session. 

📩 Get in touch today and take the first step toward writing bids that win, not just compete. 

Let’s talk 👉 www.visiontdm.co.uk

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