How to Write a Professional Job Bid
All writers, but especially newer freelancers, seem to have a difficult time writing job bids. Writing the perfect bid is more of an art than a science. I remember the first time I took the time to browse a freelance job board. I was immediately stunned by the realization that I would eventually have to write some sort of bid and that my bid would compete against others in an attempt to find work. Uh oh…
I quickly learned that there are a few things you can do to make every job bid you write stand out from the rest. As I am in the unfortunate position of having to read job bids from time to time, I can first offer this piece of advice -
Never write a canned job bid and expect to use it for every job you want to bid on. Each bid you write needs to be personalized.
The first thing you should do is write a very brief description of yourself and your services. Be sure to include your name and a sentence or two explaining why your experiences qualify you for the job in question.
The next part of your bid should include a summary of the job itself. Address the items the employer listed in his job description and let him know what you would do to address each task included in that description. This type of summary will prove to your potential client that you actually read the entire bid and are paying attention to the details. You might also include information about how you’ll get the job done, the time frame it will take you to complete the work, and the intervals you’ll use for delivery.
If the client didn’t include any details (yes, it happens) make sure you ask questions that clarify the extend of the project before you place an actual bid.
If the subject matter of the writing wasn’t disclosed, make sure you include a paragraph that explains what type of work you are and aren ot willing to do. When I was first starting out I bid on a project without asking about the content nature of the work at hand. I ended up winning a job that would have required me to write from an awkward male vantage point about a product I deemed questionable, at best. From then on I was very careful about asking about the nature of the work at hand, and I always clarify that I am not willing to write on explicit or adult-oriented topics.
The next section of your bid should reiterate your monetary bid (don’t just rely on the bid box to explain the financial aspect). Explain whether or not you are charging a flat rate for the project, a rate per article, a rate per word, or an hourly rate. The clearer you are the easier it will be to clear up any confusion should it arise later on down the line.
Last but not least, thank your potential client for reading your bid. Let him know you’re available to answer any questions or to address any concerns. Being open to communicate and even negotiate can make a huge difference when it comes to winning a freelance writing project.
Whatever you do, avoid writing a generic bid and using it for every job you bid on, changing only a few details here or there. This type of bid is boring to read and, to be honest, your potential client can usually tell the bid is canned. The odds of you forgetting to update an important detail are relatively high as well (how embarassing).
Write a carefully planned and thought out job bid for each and every project. They take a few minutes longer (that’s all) and almost guarantee a higher rate of success!