This month we’re focusing on tenders – getting on the list, completing them, and helping other people win them.
As a leading copywriting company we get invited to tender for editorial and writing contracts just like other agencies. But we also get asked to help clients prepare their tenders so that they have the best chance of winning new business. The reason we get asked to do this is obvious – clear, well-structured and persuasive writing plays a vital part in winning tenders. Since our last issue of 'The Copywriter', we have won a major tender to work for WRAP (the government waste and recycling programme) and written an important Guide to Tendering for SME businesses in Wales.
As ever, let us know if we can help you.

Jeremy Stratton

Up close and personal

Patrick Makin

How long have you been writing for?

I recently found a letter I wrote to my grandmother when I was six. It contained a version of the Rapunzel story but with a twist. As usual the prince tries climbing up her hair and as usual the evil witch cuts it off so that the prince lands in the thorn bushes below. The slight difference was that when he finally makes it up to the top of the tower, he decides he doesn't fancy her because she is now bald as a coot. And so began a long career in unsuccessful children's short stories...

What is the most bizarre piece of copy you've had to write?

I wrote the pre-dinner entertainment for the launch of a new VW Polo at EuroDisney. It had to come from the mouth of Merlin the Magician and appeal to grown-up salesmen and their five year old children.

Any claims to fame?

I was once on Blind Date, but don't tell anyone.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I like to pretend that I am not watching telly.

What do you enjoy most about writing?

The exploration of an idea. The story telling. The art form that is in your head. It doesn't matter where you are (prison, a desert island), you can always entertain yourself.

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WRAP it up!

After lots of hard work, a few tears (mainly Harriette’s!) and a presentation, we have won the tender for WRAP’s editorial services. WRAP stands for Waste & Resources Action Programme and is a government organisation to promote sustainable waste management. Along with a number of other agencies, we will be working closely with the communications team at WRAP. This is a really exciting win for us and we look forward to working with the WRAP team.

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Invitation to tender

So many companies struggle when it comes to the tendering process. This is the ultimate sales piece and yet it’s often left to the last minute with a mad dash to get everything out in time, making sure it answers all the criteria. So why not get some professional writers to craft your copy so you can use the same ‘standard’ pieces again? We’re already helping companies to win more tenders with copy that’s persuasive, clear and concise.

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School days

Monkton Combe school is based in Bath and consists of three levels, Pre-prep, Junior and Senior. Working with a Bristol-based design agency, we interviewed the head teacher of each school and wrote a brochure which reflected the real personality and the caring, Christian nature of these long-established independent schools.

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