Types of Proposal Writing Training
While we share tons of free information on our blog and YouTube channel, sometimes you need a bit more detail to help put some ideas into practice. Whether you’re brand new to proposals or looking to expand your existing skillset, there are plenty of trainings out there to help you grow.
Below is a compilation of a few different types of training that are perfect for proposal writers.
Beginners’ Trainings
If you’re just getting started, then a quick crash course in proposals or RFPs will help you to avoid common mistakes and reduce the amount of time it takes for you to master the basics. Look for training geared towards beginners that will introduce you to industry terminology and walk you through the process. Ideally make sure there are examples as part of the training so you can see the concepts in action.
Ready to start responding to RFPs? Our RFPs 101 course helps you establish a baseline of knowledge as you enter the world of RFPs so you know exactly what to do when you find the perfect RFP.
Proposal Writing Deep-Dive
If you know the fundamentals of proposals and need help creating content that truly sells your offering, then a proposal writing training might be for you. These trainings should focus on different writing strategies that will help you showcase your company. Avoid trainings that simply walk through an outline of a typical proposal–these won’t teach you how to write. Instead, look for training that mentions the customer, your competitors, and actual writing techniques. You’re more likely to walk away with new skills that you can actually use. Make sure to review the course content to confirm that the training isn’t focused on a specific industry or niche (or if it is, make sure it’s yours!).
If you’re ready to master proposal writing (even if you’re not a writer), check out Persuasive Proposals.
Specific Proposal Topics
You might be in a position where you know how to write, but you don’t know how to write that particular section of the proposal. If this is the case, then a more specific proposal writing training might be the best option for you. Popular topics include Executive Summaries, Cover Letters, Project Approach, and more. Identify the section you find most challenging and find the training for that.
Looking for specific proposal topics? Our Executive Summary Masterclass and Storytelling courses might be a good place to start.
Proposal Strategy
If you’re in the world of RFPs, writing is only one piece of the puzzle to win the contract. Developing a winning proposal strategy is essential to win against your top competitors. If you need help refining your win strategy, then a proposal strategy training can help. Search for trainings that help you to learn more about your competition and show you how to uncover your unique strengths. Once you have those, you’ll be able to show buyers why your company is the best choice.
Need help with your proposal strategy? Bid to Win: Advanced RFP Strategy teaches you how to research your competitors, craft a solid win strategy, and put it into practice for each RFP response.
Customer Industry
Understanding the customer is key to crafting a well-received proposal. If you’re struggling to speak to buyers, then a training to better understand their industry might be a great next step. You can attend industry conferences or even trainings geared towards your buyers to gain insight into what they’re facing in their day-to-day work.
If the industry is particularly complex, then attending trainings specific to bidding in that industry might help you refine your approach. For example, OST Global Solutions offers many trainings specific to responding to federal RFPs.
Proposal Design
Often overlooked, the design of your proposal plays a key role in selling your offering. You don’t have to be an expert designer or have an Adobe license to create well-designed proposals. Whether you create your proposal in Microsoft Word or another tool, you can find a training that shows how to present your content in a way that sells.
If you work in Microsoft Word, our Designing Proposals in Word course will teach you the best features in Word for design and how to use those with proposal best practices.
Personalized Training
If you have more specific needs, some organizations offer tailored training based on your team’s goals. These types of training might focus on any of the above topics or other areas, such as your team’s process or project management for proposals.
Want training or a personalized workshop for your team? Check out our corporate training support and schedule a discovery session!