When people come to me for help with their tenders, they’re usually not unsure about what they want. They want to win. They want to feel confident submitting. They want the panic to stop. But often, what they don’t realise is how much hinges on the person holding the pen — or keyboard. The difference between a “good” tender writer and a “not-so-good” one isn’t just about grammar or knowing what an evaluation criterion is. It’s about strategy, structure, and storytelling. It’s about who understands the stakes — and who doesn’t.

Let’s break it down.

A Good Tender Writer Thinks Like a Buyer

Most people write tenders from their own perspective. They rattle off credentials, toss in a few project summaries, and hope it’ll be enough. But good tender writers? They flip it. They write with the buyer in mind.

They understand first-hand what the evaluators are looking for. They anticipate doubts. They build trust, answer unspoken questions, and make the buyer’s job easier.

A not-so-good writer might still give you content — but it’s usually just a regurgitation of what’s already on your website or in your marketing deck, or what you provided them in the first place. It may look good to the untutored eye, but lacks edge, focus, and persuasive impact.

A Good Tender Writer Can Spot the Landmines (and Navigate Around Them)

The truth? Most tenders are minefields. There are tricky compliance clauses, hidden hints in the scope, and evaluation criteria that carry more weight than others — even if they’re all “equally scored” on paper.

A good tender writer knows how to read between the lines. They identify what matters most and tailor every section accordingly. They don’t just write—they strategise.

A not-so-good writer? They might miss a mandatory response, bury the answer to a key question, or use the same stock response across different bids. And when you lose, you’re left wondering why.

A Good Tender Writer Tells a Coherent, Compelling Story

Tender writing isn’t copy-pasting a bunch of policies into a template. It’s crafting a narrative. One that proves you understand the problem, have solved similar problems before, and are the safest, smartest, most strategic choice.

Good tender writers weave this narrative seamlessly through every section. They ensure your bid doesn’t just answer the question — it sells your approach.

A not-so-good writer might provide the basics, but they’ll miss the opportunity to create a cohesive storyline. Instead of a polished, persuasive submission, you’ll get a patchwork of disconnected content that doesn’t move the needle.

A Good Tender Writer Makes You Look Better Than You Think You Are

Let’s be honest: most clients who come to us at Bidbuddy aren’t writers. They’re experts in their field — whether it’s civil construction, engineering, logistics, or facilities management — but when it comes to selling themselves in a tender, they fall flat.

A good tender writer knows how to extract the gold from your technical detail and translate it into persuasive, plain English. They showcase your strengths without overhyping. They find what makes you different — and they make it shine.

The not-so-good ones? They leave you sounding like everyone else. Generic. Forgettable. Safe — but not in a good way.

A Good Tender Writer Calms the Chaos

One of the most overlooked differences? Emotional intelligence.

Tender deadlines are stressful. There are conflicting stakeholders, gaps in documentation, and the ever-present clock ticking down. A good tender writer brings calm to the chaos. They take control of the process. They manage expectations, chase inputs, and keep the team focused.

They don’t just write. They lead.

The not-so-good ones? They’ll quietly wait for your content, get lost in the process, and often need more managing than support. And when the pressure hits? They go missing — or worse, deliver late and underdone.

The Bottom Line

Here’s the simple truth: a good tender writer doesn’t just improve your submission — they change the trajectory of your business. They help you win. They help you believe you can win. And they take what’s often an overwhelming, high-stakes experience and turn it into a controlled, strategic process with a measurable outcome.

At Bidbuddy, we know what’s at stake. We’ve seen what happens when clients try to DIY or outsource to the cheapest bidder. We’ve also seen what happens when they decide they’re ready to win, properly — and bring in someone who knows how to get them there.

Want to know if your last submission was working for you or against you?
Reach out. We’ll tell you straight — and if you’re ready to lift your win rate, we’ll show you how.