Top proposal writer skills needed to get the job.

What are the top 3 traits or skills every proposal writer must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your proposal writer expertise?

Three (3) traits of an excellent proposal writer.

(1) Audience
(2) Translation
(3) Topic experience

Four (4) skill development practices

(1) Delivery System Knowledge
(2) Quality Process Training
(3) Project Management
(4) Persuasion / PR

Here are my top 5 traits, in no particular order.

1. Solid communication skills

You need to understand all aspects of the proposal process. The writer must read the whole proposal and determine how your company's products and services will align with your customers wants and needs.

You'll also have to be able to communicate your understanding of these needs to several members of your organization, some of which might not have a technical understanding.

2. Good negotiation and persuasive skills

Once the strategy has been set, the writer has to understand who will be accountable for certain components of the proposal. Deadlines must be set and tracked properly, the writer must be able to influence and also escalate when needed.

3. Confidence

The proposal writer must be able to communicate with several high level members of the organization and must also be thick skinned. Sale reps in the field are demanding and have little concern for the writers work load, the writer must be able to push back and ensure that all deadlines will be met, if the timeframes are unattainable, the writer must communicate this asap.

4. Solid writing skills

Writers can be often perceived as people that cut and paste and copy material from previous proposals. The writer must put the proper marketing spin on the material and simplify, often times sales proposals are seller focused, the writer needs to focus on responding to the proposal in laymen’s terms, in order to avoid confusion.

5. Good computer skills

You simply will not succeed without having the proper computer skills needed to efficiently complete proposals.

Tj in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: Three (3) traits of an excellent proposal writer.

(1) Audience
(2) Translation
(3) Topic experience

Four (4) skill development practices

(1) Delivery System Knowledge
(2) Quality Process Training
(3) Project Management
(4) Persuasion / PR

Host said: What are the top 3 traits or skills every proposal writer must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your proposal writer expertise?

There is no way anyone will make it as a proposal writer without being extremely organized.

Proposal writers must be proactive. Give your colleagues time (if you have it) to get the information to you. This has to be balanced, however, by absolutely demanding the information at deadline time, even if its your CEO.

Know your business, it's organization, it's products. The more you know, the better positioned you are to be creative in the responses you craft.