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Are you trying to get across your needs for marketing and print collateral projects?Not sure how to express what you want to accomplish for your online presence?Not sure how to connect all the dots between vendors and other outside resources?
Yes. Writing a Request for Proposal can be tough and very time consuming if you're not sure how to get started. However, it is definitely something you should do upfront, as it will save a lot of time, wasted effort, and even heartache down the road. Writing an effective RFP will help your prospective vendors to develop an effective, accurate proposal for your print project, marketing campaign, or website.
Writing a proposal will help you get bids that are based on the exact same
specifications so you'll be able to compare "apples to apples".
That's why we've put together the following Guide to help you get the basics down on paper as quickly as possible. You may not go with us on your next project, but we still want to help all we can. Maybe you'll come back to us next time. Do you already have an RFP? Fab! Why not send it to us today!The Top 17 RFP Essentials Guide below is just a starting point to writing your RFP. Depending on the size and scope of your project, you can adjust the RFP to fit your exact requirements and add your own specific sections.
Now that you're on the way to writing a winning RFP, why not request a proposal from The Odell Group. We'll get you on the right marketing road in no time at all!

Isn't it time to take positive steps to make your customers finally sit up and take notice?

Not ready to send out an RFP just yet? Request our Marketing Worksheet, to help you refine your marketing needs, goals, and objectives for the RFP!
THE TOP SEVENTEEN RFP ESSENTIALS GUIDEFor print and web projects:
1. Company Background
Include who you are, what you do, size of company, current url, current products/services, et al.2. Project Description
This is usually a paragraph describing your current marketing, print and collateral, or web site situation and an overview of what the specific project will be require.3. Audience
This paragraph will contain general information about who the target audience is which will help convey the scope of the project.4. Project Goals and Objectives
In part 4, you'll define the reason and motivation for your project, such as:
• Why you are investing in a new marketing strategy.
• Why you need a new print advertising, collateral or direct mail campaign.
• What materials are to be created: A brochure, newsletter, website, identity program,
packaging, point-of-purchase, etc.
• Why you need to renovate, or build a new web site (i.e., outdated site/logo/collateral,
expanded services, different target audience, need to generate more leads, attract
job candidates, etc.)
• What you hope to accomplish; list short term and long term objectives for company
and/or brand, print materials or website.5. Look and Feel – Mood
Briefly describe the general direction of the company positiioning and its target market [i.e., a cutting edge design that appeals to tech-savvy Gen-X websurfers; or a "down-to-earth' style that appeals to college-educated women, etc.]6. Proposal Requirements
Itemize what you want to know about the company from whom you're requesting a proposal [Number of years in business; company history; examples of work; methodology; key personnel, references, etc.]7. Contact Information
Name, email, and phone of agency owner[s] and project leader. State how you want the proposal to be submitted and by what date and time? (via email, pdf, doc, printed and mailed)8. Budget
• If your budget's been set and approved, indicate the price range.
• Budget is yet to be approved, or you need help making one, indicate probable budget
and specify if the selected vendor will be required to assist in formulating the budget.9. Time Frame
Indicate the date you would like the project completed.10. Preliminary Schedule
If available, let the vendor know that tentative phase deadlines have already been set up for items such as: copy deadline, concept due dates, revisions due, final delivered, etc.11. Proposal Review Criteria
Indicate how you'll choose the agency: if there will be one or more interviews; if the agency should include a portfolio with the Proposal, or present a portfolio at the interview.For Print and Creative projects only:
12. Print Advertising and Collateral Requirements
• Specify what type of ads you need [for magazines, trade journals, newspaper, etc.]
• Specify what kind of print collateral you require [brochures, catalogs, business stationary,
corporate identity program, etc.]13. Mechanical and Print Specifications
• Usage rights needed; photography, illustration, etc.
• Finished size of pieces, folds, colors, pages, quantities, versions, self-mailers, etc.
• Specifiy what the final deliverables will be: film, printed piece, disc, website, etc.14. Printing, Manufacturing, and Distribution Requirements
Indicate whether the agency will handle printing, manufacturing, and/or mailing house or other method of delivery to target marketFor web projects only:
15. Technical Requirements
• Indicate if you require hosting services
• Specify what kind of capabilities and functions the website will need so the vendor can
decide what type of programming services you'll need.
• State your site's current platform: windows or linux; or you are open to recommendations
• If you use a specific, required programming language, be sure to put that in (Languages
include: php, .net, asp, cold fusion, etc.] If you don't have a required or preferred
language that is perfectly okay.16. Usability Requirements
• Indicate if usability testing is required as part of your web site redesign
• State if you're interested in conducting user research or developing a persona for site
• Be sure to include a paragraph if you currently have any research or statistics available
regarding your current web site visitors?17. Functionality Requirements
• List what features and functionality you want to see on your site (Such as: secure user/
password, contact forms, upload your resume option, custom calculator, database
development to store lead information, custom admin area to pull reports, content
management system to edit your own content, e-commerce to sell products, newsletter
sign up, blogs, forums, etc.)Now's the time to request a proposal from The Odell Group. Send your RFP to us today!

Still not quite ready to send out an RFP? Request our Marketing Worksheet, to help you refine your marketing needs, goals, and objectives for the RFP!