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A guide to RFPs I made for designers(folyo.me)

5 years ago from Robert Williams, Owner, Folyo

  • James Mikrut, 5 years ago

    I think there may be a hint of a 'blanket statement' with your comment. I do agree with most of your sentiment regarding RFPs and responses, but responding to RFPs is a 100% required business skill that freelancers as well as studio / agency owners need to possess.

    I have won quite a few RFPs - and usually not from a pricing standpoint either - because our proposals granted us an opportunity to explain ourselves and our understanding of the problem or assignment at hand.

    After each RFP I learn something - and I can't tell you what I would give to get my hands on the proposals that we either beat, or lose to.

    One other note, our greatest success in responding to RFPs is when we make some sort of personal connection with the prospect. If we already know them, great, but if not, get a meeting on the schedule!

    1 point
    • Matthew Morek, 5 years ago

      responding to RFPs is a 100% required business skill

      It depends on how you decide to run your business. I decided that RFPs are nothing but client wishlists in pursuit of a vendor, not a thinker, to do the job at implementing it, and I won't try to pursue them, unless I see something between the lines, then I'll get them talking to me, derailing the pitch.

      The act of stating an assumption that people do business in only in a certain way is actually a "blanket statements." My comment was an alternative, an advice to those eager to hear the other side to this RFP story.

      our proposals granted us an opportunity to explain ourselves and our understanding of the problem or assignment at hand

      Then you did not actually participate in the tender process. You did exactly what I do: you derailed the pitch and took control over the engagement.

      our greatest success in responding to RFPs is when we make some sort of personal connection with the prospect.

      Same as above, tender is about the biggest offering for the least amount of money, while you knowing the prospect is a wedge in that scenario that gives you an advantage. See derailing the pitch.

      0 points
      • James Mikrut, 5 years ago

        I think you may have misunderstood my comment. By saying

        our proposals granted us an opportunity to explain ourselves and our understanding of the problem or assignment at hand

        I meant through the proposal, in advance of an in-person meeting where we further "derailed the pitch". We garner in-person meetings through the interest in our company built through first contact via proposal.

        If I did not respond to RFPs (with a proposal), our studio would have missed out on a few quite large and creatively fulfilling projects. That's all I'm saying.

        0 points