If you’ve ever worked on a bid with multiple people, you know how it goes—everyone’s writing their part, heads down, trying to hit deadlines. Then you pull it all together… and that’s when the fun starts.
One person says a task will take 28 days. Someone else says a month. Seems harmless, right? Just a wording difference. But to a client, it can look like you’re not aligned or, worse, unsure of your own plan.
From their perspective, those small inconsistencies can raise eyebrows. They might start wondering, “Wait, is this the same task? Did I miss something? Are these folks actually on the same page?” And just like that, a small detail creates doubt.
That’s why keeping your facts consistent before the writing even starts is so important.
So—what’s the fix?
Use a fact sheet. Simple as that.
It doesn’t need to be complicated. Just a basic table that lists the agreed terms, facts, and figures. Things like:
- Timelines (28 days, not “a month” or “4 weeks”)
- Team names and job titles
- Project costs and units
- Acronyms (and what they stand for)
- Anything else that could trip people up or be written in multiple ways
Having this one shared source of truth means everyone’s working with the same info, written the same way. And when new facts pop up? Don’t just wing it. Check in with the team, get it agreed, and update the fact sheet.
It keeps things tight, tidy, and consistent. More importantly, it makes your bid feel like it came from one clear, focused team—not a patchwork of separate voices.
Why it matters
Clients want to trust that you’ve got it together. If your bid has mismatched facts, it can create uncertainty—or worse, make you look disorganised. But when everything lines up? It builds confidence. It shows you’re detail-oriented, aligned, and ready to deliver.
And the best part? This is such a small, easy thing to do—but it makes a huge difference.
