Introduction to Bid Writing

Introduction to Bid Writing Overview

Winning work through bids can feel daunting. Questions are complex, requirements are strict, and word limits leave little room for error. This half-day course, in partnership with Compass Bidding Limited, gives you the tools and confidence to approach bid writing with clarity, structure, and purpose.

Key details: 

• Date: Tuesday 18th November 2025
• Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Location: ISO Quality Services, Quality Suite, Oak House, Bromyard Road, Worcester WR2 5HP
• Price: £195+VAT per delegate
• Availability: limited to 12 places

 

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What you’ll learn

Attendees will learn how to:

• Interpret tender questions and avoid common mistakes
• Develop powerful win themes and structure standout responses
• Apply proven techniques to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively
• Ensure compliance with tender requirements to avoid disqualification
• Collaborate effectively with subject matter experts and manage iterative reviews
• Navigate different formats and limitations (word count, page count, portals, templates)

 

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Course Content 

1. Understanding winning proposals 
   • What makes a bid successful?
   • Balancing sales messaging, structure, and compliance
2. Developing win themes
   • What are win themes and why they matter
   • How to craft compelling USPs and differentiators
   • Understanding the buyer and your competitive edge
3. Storyboarding responses
   • The importance of planning before writing
   • Storyboard structure and collaboration
   • Embedding win themes throughout
4. Compliance and tender instructions 
   • Common compliance pitfalls
   • Interpreting instructions to bidders
5. Writing techniques 
   • Structuring responses: intros, body, conclusions
   • Making every word count (word/page/character count bids)
   • Tone, clarity, and formatting for readability and impact
6. Iterative review process 
   • Drafting, reviewing, editing – why multiple rounds matter
7. Real examples and practical exercises 
   • Editing exercises (word/page/character count challenge)
   • Examples of good/bad introductions and conclusions
   • Well-structured responses in practice
8. Top tips and lessons learned 
   • Bid writing do’s and don’ts
   • Critical review techniques
   • Final proofing and submission best practices

 

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Who should attend?

Whether you’re brand new to bids or looking to sharpen your existing skills, this course provides the essential tools, strategies, and confidence to write bids that win.

 

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Who are Compass Bidding Limited?

Compass Bidding delivers business writing solutions for organisations navigating competitive tenders, grant applications and commercial funding opportunities.

This training will be delivered by Matthew Finch, founder of Compass Bidding.  With over a decade of experience in bid writing and management, Matthew brings both delivery and business development expertise.  He has supported organisations to secure multimillion-pound contracts with DWP, ESFA, MOJ, grant funding, and commercial tenders.

Learn more about Compass Bidding.