The building industry is highly competitive so when it comes to winning your next project tender, standing out from your competitors is incredibly important. Your tender is one of the first elements in building a relationship with your client and it can set the scene for the level of professionalism with which your business conducts itself. There’s quite a bit involved in the tender process. Here are our top five tips for winning your project tenders more often than not.
1. Planning and preparation are key
Often, when bidding to win a project tender, specific instructions are provided by the client. Always follow these instructions to the letter and ensure that you use any specific tender documentation provided. It can be advantageous if you have already established a professional relationship with the organisation so you may like to network on LinkedIn or attend industry events.
2. Your branding should do the hard yards for you
When it comes to winning project tenders, your branding should be a big part of what sets you apart from your competitors. Research suggests that 82% of investors want the companies they invest in to have a strong brand and, while your clients aren’t exactly investors, they are handing over a significant amount of money and so the same principle applies. With strong branding, the hard work of establishing trust and imparting a sense of professionalism is already done for you.
3. Your website needs to give you the edge on your competitors
Your website is the front door to your business and is often the first interaction your client or customer has with you. A great website is clean, professional, has exceptional user experience and is efficiently converting browsers into buyers. If your website doesn’t match the professionalism of your tender, instead of winning your project tender, you may just lose it.
4. Properly design the proposal document
Presentation matters. A lot. If your proposal document looks slapdash, contains errors or is difficult to read, it can work against you. Your tender document represents your brand so make sure it’s representing it well. Ask us how we can help you with this.
5. Social proof can make all the difference
Winning or losing your project tender can be the difference between having social proof—and not. Social proof is essentially testimonials from previous clients who have had a positive experience with you. At the beginning of a relationship, you’re asking your client to trust you. This is much easier if you can prove yourself to them by showing them that you are what you say you are.
