Choosing the right tender writer can make or break your success in winning contracts. A good tender writer doesn’t just throw words on a page; they understand your business, the buyer’s needs, and the competitive environment. Here’s what to look for when selecting a tender writer to give your bid the best possible chance of success.

1. Experience with Tenders

Tender writing is a specialised skill. Look for a writer with proven experience crafting successful tenders, particularly in your industry or for similar clients. Ask for examples of past tenders they’ve written and, if possible, success rates they’ve achieved. Experience means they know what evaluation panels expect — and how to meet those expectations.

2. Understanding of Procurement Processes

The best tender writers understand how procurement works from the inside out. They know about evaluation criteria, weightings, compliance requirements, and government or commercial procurement policies. This insight allows them to frame your responses in a way that scores highly and ticks all the necessary boxes.

3. Ability to Translate Technical Jargon

If your business is technical or specialised, you need a tender writer who can translate complex information into clear, compelling language. They should be able to explain your expertise without overwhelming or confusing evaluators, many of whom may not be subject matter experts.

4. Attention to Detail

Tender documents often specify exact requirements — from word limits to font types to document structures. A good tender writer has a sharp eye for detail and will ensure your submission is fully compliant, error-free, and professionally presented.

5. Strategic Thinking

Winning tenders are not just well-written — they’re strategic. Your tender writer should know how to highlight your strengths, address potential weaknesses, and position your offer as the most valuable and low-risk choice. They should build your story around what matters most to the buyer. They should be able to do much, much more than simply push your own words around and make them look pretty.

6. Strong Project Management Skills

Tenders come with hard deadlines and lots of moving parts. Your tender writer should be organised, able to work under pressure, and capable of managing multiple inputs from different parts of your business. They should help create (and stick to) a clear timeline for developing, reviewing, and finalising your tender.

7. Commitment to Collaboration

Tender writing is not a solo exercise. The best tender writers work closely with your team to gather insights, clarify points, and make sure the final product accurately represents your capabilities. Look for someone who is collaborative, not someone who disappears for weeks and returns at the last minute. Look, also, for depth in a team, so if something happens to your tender writer, someone else can step in and finish for them.

8. Clear Pricing and Deliverables

Finally, make sure the tender writer provides a clear proposal outlining what they will deliver, when, and for how much. Transparency upfront prevents surprises later on and helps you feel confident you’re getting value for money.

In Summary Choosing the right tender writer is an investment in your business growth. By looking for experience, strategic ability, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills, you can partner with someone who will help you not just submit tenders — but win them. Don’t fall for the cheapest price, or the most qualifications. It’s performance on your tender that counts.

If you’re ready to work with an experienced team that understands what it takes to create winning tenders, get in touch with BidBuddy today.