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One Step Ahead: Writing Bids and Funding Applications
Preparing the pitch: demonstrating understanding
A good proposal is one that:
reflects the client's own expectations;
marks you out as distinctive;
doesn't overburden the client with too much extra reading.
Confirmation of what the client wants:
If there is no formal legal agreement, put in writing:
what they have asked for;
what you are planning to do;
what is not included;
the payment you have agreed;
by when;
dates when payment is due;
and make sure they confirm their agreement to your letter – in writing.
Funding application: letter accompanying a proposal
Reading through the letter
Read it as if you were the person it is pitched at, and ask yourself these
questions:
Was the purpose of the letter clear?
Did it persuade or inform you?
Did it make any assumptions about you as a reader?
How many ideas are being communicated?
Could it be shorter?
Did it seem authoritative?
Was there anything ambiguous, or phrased in such a way that someone might
misunderstand?
Can you tell whether any parts of this letter were cut and pasted from somewhere
different?
Is the spelling and grammar impeccable?
Style in funding applications
Use simple language
| Wordy |
Simple |
| a wide range of |
many |
| along the lines of |
like |
| at an early date in the future |
soon |
| at this moment in time |
now |
| due to the fact that |
because |
| few and far between |
few |
| I am not in a position to |
I cannot |
| in the event that |
if |
| in view of the fact that |
since |
| is in our possession |
we have |
| it came to light |
we found |
| it is our understanding that |
we understand that |
| this affords us the opportunity |
this allows us |
| we are of the opinion that |
we believe |
| with regard to |
about |
| with the result that |
so that |
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