3 Ways PR Pros Can Streamline the RFP Process
For any PR agency, pitching and securing new business is crucial for growth. Innovative startups and leading brands are hungry to work with PR agencies to maximize external awareness and visibility. What agency wouldn’t jump at the chance to expand its portfolio of work and increase its revenue?
However, the request for proposal (RFP) process can sometimes be overwhelming to manage. From handling multiple projects to following up on leads to developing presentations, it’s absolutely critical to stay on top of all tasks associated with RFPs. Here are some tips to better handle the chaotic RFP process:
- Stay organized and ahead of the process: The RFP process is complex, with many steps and fast-moving parts that include providing agency background, sample scopes of work, and project/retainer rates. And it can be even more challenging to juggle the deluge of RFPs and their deadlines to guarantee that agencies are submitting the most attractive and competitive proposals possible. You must ensure that you have an updated repository of both RFPs and RFP tasks.
- Manage the potential pipeline and employee skills: As you’re working on an RFP, it’s necessary to know who owns the proposal’s assembly process and the next steps in the conversation with the prospective client. Does the company need additional information, such as case studies or media coverage, to see your results in action? When is the in-person pitch? It’s easy for these simple to-dos to get lost in the shuffle and scheduled for the last minute. It’s also important to keep the agency in the know about prospective leads and inquire with account teams to see which individuals have the best expertise, skills, and availability to work with the potential new client.
- Maintain relationships to earn new business: Be sure to keep track of business won so that your agency can celebrate new client wins and gain deeper access into relationships to ensure client happiness. House important information such as contracts and client revenues in a centralized repository to keep teams aligned and focused on overall objectives.
Follow these three tips and soon you’ll have a smooth RFP process to keep your firm ahead of the competition. To streamline the process even further, consider investing in a PR CRM platform.
