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Keeping your proposal content simple
Discover key insights from the TGV podcast with SP's Tim and Graham on how to keep your proposal content simple and effective.
Writing a proposal can be a daunting task, even for experienced writers. Despite their proficiency, many writers struggle with crafting clear and effective bid text. This blog summarises the discussion on the TGV podcast with SP's Tim and Graham and points out some of the factors that may contribute to this challenge.
This challenge often stems from several factors:
1. Pressure and deadlines:
The urgency of submission deadlines can lead to rushed and unclear writing. Contributors to bids are often not trained in proposal writing, which adds to the stress and fear of producing subpar work.
2. Fear of judgment: Say it out loud
Writing for an audience, especially one that includes managers and customers, can be intimidating. The stakes are higher, and the fear of making mistakes can hinder clarity and simplicity in writing.
3. Misconceptions about formal writing:
Many believe that formal writing requires elaborate and complex language. However, simplicity and conversational tone are more effective. Using natural and clear language helps convey ideas more effectively.
4. Common pitfalls:
One major issue in business writing is the use of nominalisations, where verbs are turned into nouns, making sentences more complex. For example, instead of saying "we deliver complex IT solutions," many write "we specialise in the delivery of complex IT solutions." This adds unnecessary complexity and can make the text harder to understand.
Examples of where to simplify your content:
Instead of "the deployment of the solution," use "we'll deploy the solution."
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Replace "the development of the delivery of" with "developing and delivering."
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Use "adopting common tools" rather than "the adoption of common tools."
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By simplifying our language and being more direct, we not only make our proposals more accessible but also more persuasive. By default, say what you need to say in as few words as possible, using simple and conversational language.
