Outsourcing Proposal Writing
Many newcomers to the federal
marketplace believe that they can hire proposal writers to solve the proposal
writing dilemma. You can, but you need to be careful in selecting the writer and
realistic in your expectations.
Many companies claiming to be proposal writing firms are in reality proposal management and production firms. They know the game, can breakdown an RFP into the required elements of your response, set up writing and production schedules, and help you manage and produce the proposal. These companies are good at graphics, document production, and scheduling, but not at writing the actual content. They can help, but they cannot write your proposal for you.
Highly experienced proposal writers can assist in writing pieces of your proposal, but they are few and far between. Most can write the Management Approach, Corporate Qualifications, and Personnel chapters based on information about corporate experience and resumes that you provide.
However, the core of a responsive proposal is the technical approach and an outside writer will need your subject matter specialists to write the proposed solution. They can develop an outline for your subject matter specialists to follow but they usually cannot write those critical, convincing sections of the proposed solution that are frequently the difference between winning and losing.
In rare instances an outside proposal writer will be a subject matter specialist in your particular field. When this fortunate circumstance happens, the writer will be able to write solutions material. This is sometimes the case in the information technology field.
If you find one of these rare birds, keep them.
Asking an outsider to completely write your proposal is like asking someone to write that novel that has been lurking in your brain for years. Understanding the subject matter and presenting creative solutions wins proposals, and that's not usually for hire.
Many companies claiming to be proposal writing firms are in reality proposal management and production firms. They know the game, can breakdown an RFP into the required elements of your response, set up writing and production schedules, and help you manage and produce the proposal. These companies are good at graphics, document production, and scheduling, but not at writing the actual content. They can help, but they cannot write your proposal for you.
Highly experienced proposal writers can assist in writing pieces of your proposal, but they are few and far between. Most can write the Management Approach, Corporate Qualifications, and Personnel chapters based on information about corporate experience and resumes that you provide.
However, the core of a responsive proposal is the technical approach and an outside writer will need your subject matter specialists to write the proposed solution. They can develop an outline for your subject matter specialists to follow but they usually cannot write those critical, convincing sections of the proposed solution that are frequently the difference between winning and losing.
In rare instances an outside proposal writer will be a subject matter specialist in your particular field. When this fortunate circumstance happens, the writer will be able to write solutions material. This is sometimes the case in the information technology field.
If you find one of these rare birds, keep them.
Asking an outsider to completely write your proposal is like asking someone to write that novel that has been lurking in your brain for years. Understanding the subject matter and presenting creative solutions wins proposals, and that's not usually for hire.
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