How to Write an RFP

That quality vendors will respond to

Welcome, welcome! If you’re reading this you were probably assigned with the glorious task of creating a Request for Proposal or as the kids like to call it, an RFP. So naturally, you’re kind of a big deal, and writing an RFP does not have to be. Below are some tips and tricks we recommend when creating an RFP. You can use this as a guide and tailor to your specific requests and project at hand.

Now let’s get into it!

Tell Me What Ya Want What You Really Really Want
Begin your RFP with a definitive outline of what you are looking for in terms of deliverables. Is it a story and messaging overhaul? Is it a new logo? New website? Specifically mention what key pieces you would like to have in hand by the end of the project and even go as far as sharing specs for sizing, quantities, and platforms etc. Outlining your platforms is so important as certain vendors are only comfortable on certain platforms. Vendors knowing this information of the bat will save a lot of time for you going back and forth answering questions. This is also the key information vendors begin with to see if they even want to or are capable of taking on this project.

The Pomp and Circumstance
After you have listed out your requests, begin to dive into who you are. What does your company do? What makes you different from any other company in the industry? Who is your audience? What is your goal one year from now? 5 years from now?A good vendor will ask these questions to answers theses and create a plan that keeps your future in mind.

Your Game Plan
Delineate what dates you want deliverables completed. Certain vendors may not be able to create a website in the timeframe you are looking for due to their current workload. Set realistic dates they can build timelines too. FYI: if you are looking for something in an ASAP timeframe, be prepared for proposed budgets to account for that. Meaning if a vendor has to rearrange their workload for your schedule, they often add on costs for that. Plan ahead.

Let The Vendor Do Their Thing
Proposal presentations are created in a way that is time-tested. If you are asking for extreme customization of the response, just know you may not receive responses from a large amount of vendors. Often if we receive an RFP that requires hours of creation, we pass. Our presentation is strategically designed to answer all questions already. Creating specific mandates makes more work for you and your vendor. Trust the process, and let your vendor present their approach in their unique way. You can often learn a lot about their story-telling and overall capabilities quickly this way.

Fun inside fact: this whole process is also representative of how your potential vendor partner is sizing you up as a potential client–so treat others how you like to be treated. It’s a two-way street.

These are just a few tips and tricks to help you tackle the beginning of your next big project. Still feeling uneasy about creating an RFP and need some help finding clarity? Let’s talk. We can help you get there.