How to Craft a Successful Response to an RFP

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jody Grunden and Jamie Nau on the Virtual CPA Success Show and talk about the requests for proposal (RFP) process. As a creative agency, it’s important to have a strategic way to approach these proposals. One way to scale your business as an agency owner is to go after RFPs, which are opportunities to complete a specific project for the organization that issued the request. The landscape for RFP bids is evolving as more companies and individuals are chasing RFPs than we’ve seen before. Also, incumbent companies are being dropped more often by their respective clients, opening the door for other agencies to bid on that work. This reality means that RFPs are becoming more competitive and, therefore, more difficult to win and retain.
But don’t be discouraged. As the leader of a digital agency that services the healthcare industry, I’ve drafted many proposals and witnessed firsthand how smaller agencies can scale by going after these opportunities. The RFP process demands quick turnarounds and is costly. However, if you develop an effective strategy, pursue the right opportunities, and deliver a strong proposal in a timely fashion, you could succeed in growing your business. Detailed below are some tips to help you secure your next big contract.