Video Entrepreneur: A Modest Proposal (page 3)

You Get the Idea

Also requested by the RFP was a Cost Proposal Form, a Proposal Acknowledgment List and a Sworn Statement on Public Entity Crimes. If you think filling out one of these puppies sounds like more work than you are now putting into entire video projects--you may be right. This is why you should feel you have a pretty good shot at getting a contract before you go after it.

The sample above from the State of Florida was an extremely well-written RFP. A video expert was called in to give the writer advice on how a video is put together. But sometimes an RFP is written

requesting strange or unworkable video solutions. It doesn't matter. You must respond to these requests as they are, even if they are bizarre.

Responding to request for proposals is a skill. You have to answer every question, dot every i, cross every t. If you don't, your proposal can be thrown out for non-compliance. It's harsh, but true.

If you can find someone who has dealt with RFPs before, it might be worth it to "partner" with them. It doesn't really matter if this person knows anything about video; that's your job, as long as they understand the language of responding to proposals.

Check with local business groups to see if they know of any retirees who used to work for a corporation. These people might have been exposed to proposal writing and they might be willing to help you learn how. They might be happy to pass on their knowledge to a new generation. If you can't find a real human to give you advice, check your public library for books on proposal writing.

Is responding to an RFP worth the trouble? Winning a contract can be extremely lucrative. But it isn't easy. If you think you can fill the requirements, I propose you give it a try.