When responding to RFPs what do you include? Not having had a client yet or testimonals I don't have them to include -- but what else do you submit?

__________________
Cindy
www.eoseasy.comThe Chrysalis Plan

Hi Cindy,
I always include a little about my background/experience, any recent experience that is relevant to the particular project, hourly rate or project amount, and contact info.
Good luck!

__________________
Kathy
www.theofficevirtuoso.com

Originally Posted by The Office Virtuoso

Hi Cindy, I always include a little about my background/experience, any recent experience that is relevant to the particular project, hourly rate or project amount, and contact info. Good luck!

Virtuoso:

Do you have this info in any special format; presentation, flyer, ebook, or do you just put in an email?

__________________
Cindy
www.eoseasy.comThe Chrysalis Plan

Cindy: I have a standard format for responding to RFPs:

1st paragraph: <I'm responding to your RFP and want you to know why I'm writing. I also want to tell you that I've visited your Web site and understand your business and can relate.>

2nd paragraph: <This is what I do and why I'm good at it. I've done it before and have have lots of experience/skills in what you're looking for.>

3rd paragraph: <This is how, very specifically, I could help you, meet your needs as outlined in your RFP, and/or free up your time and/or relieve your stress and/or improve your business><This is the longest paragraph, because I make sure that I'm giving them specific ideas on how I can alleviate their "pain" that caused them to write the RFP.>

4th paragraph: <This is my basic rate and this is my estimate for turnaround time and/or deliverables.>

5th paragraph: <This is where I tell you how much I'd love to work with you and how I have references available upon request. I also provide all of my contact information. I lastly identifiy a specific day when I will follow up on this response.>

Hope that helps!!
Deb

__________________
Deb Howard Greenleaf, Certified QB ProAdvisor
Virtual Bookkeeping & QB Consulting

I, too, follow a very specific RFP format. I always include a cover page with my logo, date submitted and the RFP number and title. And I always PDF the RFP - for whatever reason, people see PDF and think professional.

My first page is my business philosophy (what drives me to follow good marketing practices and why this is good for the client). It usually mirrors whatever you have on your website.

Second page is a brief biography of everyone that will work on the project. Relevant experience is good, but only the information that will help this particular project.

Third page is the plan to address whatever their RFP request is. Includes dates and project milestones where necessary. I also include anticipated hours for each task with a completion date.

Fourth page is language about project overages, unanticipated (by them) project details, if there is a website or newsletter copy involved, how many iterations they get to change their mind about the content, and what the hourly fee is for overages caused by the client.

Fifth page is the terms of the contract. For example, I expect payment for services at a percentage upfront and rendered at net 45 days. When I work off an RFP, I am typically working on a PO, so they expect that they will pay some monthly.

Last page is the signature page, so they can send back a signed contract.

Thank you for your feedback and expertise I really appreciate it.

I have responded to several RFPs here on the forum and outside and have not had a response so I was wondering what I was doing wrong.

Do you generally get a response either way on these or is it that the requestor only seems to respond to who they give the job?

__________________
Cindy
www.eoseasy.comThe Chrysalis Plan

Cindy: Generally, I inquire in 3-5 days if I haven't heard back. I just ask if they received my proposal and if they had any questions. I'll keep it up every 3-5 days for about two weeks until they finally respond. I've had very few, maybe 10%, fail to respond by the end of the two weeks.

Also, it's my personal opinion that you need to make the proposal very, very specific to the RFP and that particular client. If you send them a bunch of boilerplate stuff, it's very easy for them to glaze over reading page after page about you. It's not about you!! It's about their needs, their "pain," and how you can alleviate their pain!

Deb

__________________
Deb Howard Greenleaf, Certified QB ProAdvisor
Virtual Bookkeeping & QB Consulting