058: 3 Ways to Prepare for an Unexpected RFP

Today we are talking about three ways you can start preparing for an unexpected RFP. Because let’s be honest, even though we want to have months and months to do our capture planning and prepositioning, a lot of times, a project manager or principal brings you an RFP that wasn’t on your radar. So, what do you do when you hear about an RFP that is going to be advertised next week? What can you start doing now to make the proposal production go smooth and still put out a customized, persuasive proposal to give your firm the best shot at winning? Especially, since you’re already working on 2 or 3 other pursuits at the same time. Well, I’ve been there my friends. A project that we were either tracking or a client we have been meeting with, lets us know that RFP is coming out next week or in a few weeks. We are way behind on the capture planning efforts and have a few other must-win proposal deadlines already on our calendar. But, we know we have to submit this RFP coming out next week. So, we must start preparing, even if we can’t go through the full capture planning process. Having been through this many times in my past, I have found that there are three items or pieces of information you, as the proposal manager, can start working on the moment you hear about that RFP. And, in this episode, I am going to share those items with you. Here are some episode highlights:Why do we get unexpected RFPs and why do we need to still submitWhere to look for the proposal outlineHow to identify your internal and external teamHow to use the project scope to build out the experience sectionIf you loved any of these or have any of your own items you start working on the moment you hear that RFP is coming out that you want to share with me, jump on Instagram, send me a DM, or post about it. Tag me. I’d love to know some of the proposals tasks you start working on the moment you hear that an unexpected RFP is coming. I genuinely would love to hear from you. And also, if you know someone who would enjoy this podcast episode, please grab the link and share it with them. I’d be so grateful.🚀Ready to take your content marketing game to the next level?Join me for my popular masterclass: 3 Effective Strategies to Boost Your AEC Firm’s Online Presence! It’s free!In this masterclass, I’ll share my proven principles to clarify, simplify, and amplify your content marketing to cut through the online noise and attract the RIGHT audience.Join me here >> marketerstakeflight.com/boostWant more AEC marketing goodness? New to proposals? Download my FREE “RFPs for Beginners – The Ultimate Proposal Management Checklist.” Stop planning, start creating with my FREE “Ultimate AEC Content Marketing Starter Kit.” Follow Lindsay on LinkedIn and Instagram. Collaborate with other AEC Marketers in our Facebook Group. Purchase bite-sized, on-demand templates and training at the Marketers Place. Sign up for the Proposal Pro and Content Marketing Clarity Online Courses Waitlists.