Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Resonding To An Rfp

Posted by b4 on 9/9/2011 at 6:57 PM ET 500 Points
I do freelance marketing/PR and have been asked to respond to an RFP. I need some help, as I've never done this before. (I've written PR plans but never an RFP response).

I have worked with this organization through associations and committees throughout the past 5 years, so they are aware of my work and I know them fairly well.

The RFP says:

Our organization has received funding to increase awareness of a health prevention initiative in our county that seeks to create a healthy place to live and work. We are seeking bids for a maximum of $7,500 for the development & implementation of a creative marketing
campaign to roll out the initiative to the general public.

The RFP seems vague to me -- no timeline, no specific projects mentioned -- so I'm wondering what elements I am supposed to include in my response?

Thanks for any advice!

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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 9/9/2011 at 7:13 PM Accepted
    A 1 paragraph RFP with few details is unusual but there may be a reason for it. Request a meeting with the organization to clarify the RFP and get answers to your questions so you can submit a proposal that addresses their needs. If they are not willing to answer your questions then I suspect you are wasting your time.

    Stewart Hall
    RocktheStars.com
  • Posted by mgoodman on 9/9/2011 at 8:16 PM Accepted
    I agree with Stewart. You need to find out what these folks really want, so you can determine whether it's something you really want to do for $7,500. If they're expecting $15,000 worth of deliverable for their $7,500, you probably don't want to play. Or you might want to explain to them that the project is worth more to them than their stated budget, and tell them you can help them achieve their objective, but that it will cost them more than $7,500.

    It's also possible that their needs are more reasonable and that you can deliver high value for them within their budget. But without a better understanding of their expectations, you're "flying blind," and that's never a good way to start a project.

    You might also let them know that you value the relationship, and see if there's a way to make this "part 1" of a multi-part project or retainer.

    There are a number of ideas like these in Rasputin For Hire. The subtitle is An inside look at management consulting between jobs or as a second career. See: https://bit.ly/k3Z7m . There's a free bonus report there that features some additional ideas from 5 experts here on the Know-How Exchange.
  • Posted by mgoodman on 9/9/2011 at 8:23 PM Moderator
    P.S. You might also think about whether you are willing to be associated with a "health prevention" initiative. It sounds like they might want to promote smoking or obesity ... or something else that can "prevent health."

    How can "health prevention" create "healthy place to live and work?" Aren't they antithetical?

    You better find out about that too.
  • Posted by telemoxie on 9/14/2011 at 7:31 AM Accepted
    it is possible that the new funding came with strings attached. In other words, the new people writing the checks want to be sure that the organization is making a wise and prudent decision. Here in the United States, I believe that a nonprofit organization is required under law to get multiple bids on projects, but I am not an attorney and I am not qualified to offer legal advice.

    I would view this development as a red flag. Certainly I would do everything possible to respond to the RFP and attempt to keep your client. But I would also increase my outbound marketing so that I am less dependent on this client.

    They may be looking for a change. The person who is providing additional fundingmight have a friend or relative who has a marketing business. They might just be getting more formal as they grow.
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