In 50 Words Or Less
Many RFPs specify a word limit. And experienced writers will know that using less words is proportionately more difficult and typically takes more time than using more – the shorter the length of the piece, the more time it will take to create it.
I recently came across what I think is a great little exercise for developing your skills and practising developing content that is brief, interesting, complete and that holds together.
I found this while thumbing through “A Whole New Mind” (Daniel Pink, Riverhead Books, original © 2005). The exercise is called “Write a Mini Saga” and the task is to tell a story in 50 words or less. The story must have a title, a beginning, middle and an end.
So I’m posing the challenge to our readers. Tell us a proposal related story in 50 words or less. This can be something that took place on a recent effort, or the mini tale of how you’ve brought about a needed improvement, a quick peak into your world of proposals.
Jon and I will follow with our entries.
This article was written by BJ and filed under Word play & writing. If you found it useful, you can with others. To receive automatic updates, subscribe to The Proposal Guys via 
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We received an excellent lead to an opportunity that was a perfect fit for our organization.
We completed the review, began writing the proposal and sent the resource requirement to the recruiter.
We got the expected addendum before the final submission.
The RFP got cancelled due to budget constraints.
(49 words)
Spin
We were recently working on a health care proposal and had two strong subcontractors. My client’s Director said she was worried one of our subs would look stronger than us.
I suggested we write our approach from the viewpoint that we had selected the best possible partners. Done.
(49 w/title)
Fave Five
In the finalist phase of a T-Mobile bid, we created materials modeled after the T-Mobile “Fave Five” marketing campaign. We featured photos of five team members that would be involved in managing the account. During the tour, they met, recognized, and spoke to their “Fave Five.” We won!
(50 w/title)
Tough Lesson
“You must begin with graphics and then write to the art,” I told him. He nodded without listening. Drafts and days went by with words and no graphics. The last minute scramble was my fault as much as his for not being more demanding. We await the outcome.
Headache
Government RFP. Five multi-page sections of protected Word forms with limited functions: No searching, no copying, no redlining. A 30-page protected .pdf MSA to be redlined, with 15 pages of forms. Submit four sealed packages, each containing two electronic copies, two signed originals, and one copy. Oy.
(48 w/title)
BJ, you may recall this one:
Doubles
Recently, the State of New Jersey released a RFP. If won, it would double the size of my company. It was pulled and released a second time. We lost – I’m left seeing double. An award protest may cause the award to be cancelled. Will I get a second chance?
(50 words, including title)
A model outcome against the odds.
An incomplete and unconvincing draft was transformed by the pen of a proposal writer rich in determination and ability. Well structured, uniquely informative and visually stunning, the customer loved it and the proposal team were proud. The business was won.
Title – Sagas from Sages
I challenged our readers to submit mini sagas, stories told in 50 words with a title and a beginning, middle and end.. They responded with great stories. We read of heroic efforts, problems solved, victories won or lost. I laughed, I cried, I was impressed. Readers wonder, “Where’s Jon’s saga?”
(50 words)
My first consulting opportunity required piecing together previous responses and marketing slicks to create a winning proposal. SMEs were unavailable, so data molehills became information mountains. Worried, I wondered, “Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?” One-third of the organization has now read and complimented the work.
(50 words)
Most cool submissions all. Thanks and please keep them coming.
I came across a variation of this lately. Stories told in just six sentences. Interesting challenge.
Rather than 50 words, how about some proposal haiku?
just answer the question
how hard can it be
to omit needless words?