Proposal Writing Pros Use Grammar Checkers

If you write, edit, evaluate, or proofread proposals, you should
learn the hidden benefits of using grammar checkers.

Even professional proposal writers fall into old habits that
result in writing mistakes or omissions that could make or break
proposal writing success.

Grammar checkers are not perfect. We all know that.

But, they can prove valuable.

The problem is that most people don't have a clue how to set them
up correctly. That is where the real secret lies - the set up.

I am in the process of creating videos to show people how to gain
the maximum value from their grammar checkers.

You can find the first of these videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j-NWB1Qh_g

If you are involved in any way with proposal writing, this
information could prove valuable to you.

Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j-NWB1Qh_g

Proposal Writing: How To Be Correct When Writing Proposals

Being correct means many things.

First, the information needs to be correct. That includes names, dates, addresses, contact information, pricing, products, services, projected timetables, and solutions.

Second, the structure of the proposal must match the structure of the RFP or the size and importance of the client.

Your knowledge of and history with a client can serve as a guideline for how to correctly structure your document.

You may be dealing with or know the principle of a firm and know that he or she simply wants a one-page document (similar to an Executive summary) that states solutions, costs, fulfillment details, and support strategies.

If you can do all of this in one page, do so.

If you are working on a multi-faceted, multi-million dollar contract, you need to create a proposal that correctly follows and correctly presents your products and services using the structure laid out in the RFP.

But maybe, more importantly, your spelling, punctuation, grammar, format, style, and tone need to scream correctness.

If you call the Procurement Officer and ask for Mr. Smith and the voice at the other end of the line says, "This is he," do you have a clue on one of the more important parts of that proposal?

I hope so.

Proposal Writing; The Secret to Conciseness

The worst thing you can do in a proposal is waste your reader’s time.

You may have 12 pages of information that is valuable to your client. If the RFP states a maximum of 10 pages, give them eight pages. Many times exceeding stated minimums and maximums become knockout factors for your proposal.

If clients request a one-page proposal or pre-proposal document, give it to them.

Most of the time, excessive writing results from weak writing skills, not an overabundance of information valuable to the client.

Allow me to explain. Please check the examples below to see how excessive writing can become concise writing.

We are in agreement with your conclusions.

We agree with your conclusions.


The monthly report should have been distributed sooner.

We should have distributed the monthly report sooner.


With this situation, there is involved in apparent reorganization of all 15 departments in the company.

This situation involved in apparent reorganization of all 15 departments in the company.

This reorganization involved all 15 departments in the company.

All 15 departments in the company reorganized.

The company reorganized all 15 departments.


Company policy states that it is the responsibility of all employees to report all actions the day the accidents occur.

Company policy states that employees must report all accidents the day the accidents occur.


It seems likely that the recent additions to our staff will eliminate the bottlenecks caused in customer service.

Recent staff additions should eliminate customer-service bottlenecks.


Our manager made a recommendation that we sell the return goods for half price.

Our manager recommended we sell the return goods for half price.


After you have reviewed the enclosed material, please give consideration to becoming a sponsor for this program.

After you have reviewed the enclosed material, please consider becoming a sponsor for this program.

Engineering made modifications to the galootin pin.

Engineering modified the galootin pin.

As I hope you recognize, conciseness in proposal writing means forgetting the tactics you used when you wrote your high school and college term papers.