Month: March 2019

The Executive Summary: Your Proposal in Two Pages or Less

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

You have completed all of the requirements for your RFP, and are almost ready to submit it. But, you’re wondering if you need to include an executive summary.

While not all RFPs call for an executive summary, some do —and some will even provide you a template for the summary. However, if the RFP does not specify any guidelines or requirements, you may still decide that including an executive summary could enhance your prospects.  The question is, though, what should your executive summary include?

Here are a few tips to help you craft the most effective RFP executive summary possible.

What is an executive summary?

Let’s start with what an executive summary is not. It is not a string of bullet points or a cut and paste job, however tempting. While it should be the last thing you  write, it should not be a mere afterthought. Like your cover letter, the executive summary should be a positive reflection of your organization.

A good executive summary is a condensed version of your proposal.

It provides an overview of the proposal’s contents without repeating details verbatim. The executive summary may well be the first thing a reviewer reads but it is not an introduction. This article from pediaa.com explains the difference between an executive summary and an introduction.

A good executive summary has a compelling, even pithy, lead.

It should capture the reader’s attention but strike a tone appropriate for your audience. The first sentence or two should convince the reader that the summary, and what follows, is worth their while. For example, a service provider responding to an RFP might lead with something like, “Quick. Reliable. Secure. That’s our promise to you.”  Then, what follows would describe how the proposed deliverables demonstrate these qualities. 

A good executive summary is concise, with short paragraphs.

The shorter the better. One page should suffice. More than two pages is too much and risks losing the reader. Short paragraphs provide white space, allowing the reader to move quickly through the text. Consider the following examples from incontextdesign.com. Like Goldilocks, you’ll want your spacing to be ‘just right.’

A good executive summary stands on its own.

Most persons reading the summary will no doubt be reviewers required to read the entire proposal. However, should anyone read only the summary, they should finish it with an understanding of all the proposal’s key elements.

In sum, the executive summary deserves your time and effort, should you need, or choose, to do one. Consider writing a draft and letting it rest overnight. (You know, like you did with that long, angry email.)  Fresh eyes provide a whole different perspective, highlighting points you may have overlooked and focusing your mind on what’s most important. 

An here’s one final tip: Consider letting someone else write a first draft. Like the proofreader who has never seen a draft can spot things the writer or editor missed, someone who has never seen your draft can provide an even fresher pair of eyes. Would someone else tease out the same key points as you?

Good luck!

Old English Words to Revive

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

As word enthusiasts, we constantly try to stay up-to-date on the evolution of language. After all, we found great delight in the list of 25 words that were added to Webster’s dictionary last year.

But, as much as we love learning new words and discovering what they mean, we feel it is important to remember words of the past, that are no longer commonly used in today’s society.

So, thanks to sillylinguistics.com, here is a fantastic list of Old English words (and their meanings) that deserve a come-back:

What’s the Scoop Behind Best-Sellers?

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In 1895, the literary journal The Bookman launched the first “bestseller list” in the United States. The small monthly magazine stopped running its lists in 1918 and then went under in 1933. By which point The New York Times had already begun to fuel the flames of our fascination with bestsellers. Today, few have likely heard of The Bookman – but we’d be hard-pressed to find someone unfamiliar with the weekly New York Times Book Review.

Since its 1931 introduction, the NYT Best Seller list has changed over the years. Today, we’re really looking at several different lists based on categories and genres, and included titles are even separated by “type” of format like hardcover, paperback, or electronic. While there are certainly other such lists, NYT’s compilation (let’s just call it The List from now on) has become something of an icon, the “gold standard” in the overcrowded literary marketplace.

Congrats… with a Caveat

Appearing on The List has become a badge of honor for authors around the world. And why wouldn’t it be? This powerhouse proves the popularity of a literary work.

Right?

Unfortunately, that’s debatable. The List is all based on a complicated algorithm that the newspaper even admits is something of a trade secret – and has caused ongoing controversy over the years. Actual book sales are only one part of this equation. In fact, a 1983 legal argument unveiled the subjective nature of “bestsellers” when representatives of the newspaper explained that The List is “not mathematically objective.”

Which basically means that The List is simply a popularity contest. A very powerful popularity contest.

It’s even influenced the book sales and how books are sold. In the 1960s and 1970s, the chain bookstores B. Dalton, Crown Books, and Waldenbooks took hold of the market by focusing on titles named to The List. They relied on the promotion that The List provided – but this marketing strategy also gave further credence to The List by encourage sales of whatever The List claimed was hot.

In the early 2000s, a study by Stanford professor Alan Sorensen revealed that book buyers are definitely swayed by The List and that new or unknown authors absolutely benefit from being named to The List.

How Do I Get There?

Do you still have your heart set on earning a coveted spot? The requisites that might help your work catch NYT’s eye are, unfortunately, a bit daunting to say the least… and highly unrealistic for most writers.

1. Work with a traditional publisher.

Because The List still doesn’t readily recognize self-published titles, your only way in is through a publishing house. Finding a publisher, in itself, can be a challenge.

2. Score 10,000 presales.

Unknown authors must sell at least this amount through recognized book stores (your family can’t just buy 10,000 copies from your publisher). This means you need to do a ton of leg work and self-promotion to create your audience before your book release.

3. Avoid the competition.

Determine your book release date that doesn’t coincide with the mass release of the sequel in a widely successful title. Your publisher should know when there’s a “down time” in publishing to make sure you have less competition and greater visibility in the marketplace.

4. Buy your spot.

If you’re an author who has the financial means, you can enter into an agreement with a firm whose services will guarantee that you’re a bestseller. Such firms charge thousands of dollars to basically purchase many, many copies of your book ahead of your publication date to create the spike in presales that earns you a bestseller berth. The List claims to apply a methodology that specifically weeds out such “artificial” sales surges, but these tricky firms circumvent the methodology by creating streams of organic-looking individual purchases.

5. Consider different lists.

The Wall Street Journal, for example, publishes combined lists that track point-of-sale book data by title from more than 16,000 locations across the country to represent some 85% of book sales – and includes all print and e-book formats from traditional and nontraditional publishers. This is a much more realistic indication of a book’s popularity. Getting pegged for this list usually takes 3,000-5,000 sales – again, an easier mark to hit than the NYT “requirement” – and it might even act as a catalyst for your book sales, catapulting you into a coveted NYT spot.

Stick to Your Story

So take heart: If you haven’t been named a bestseller, that doesn’t mean you’re not an author or that your book will never reach strong sales.

In fact, as agent-turned-author J. E. Fishman explains, “A book that never hits a bestseller list can outsell a book that does. How is that possible? Because the bestseller list doesn’t measure aggregate sales; it measures sales velocity. So a book that sells 10,000 copies in one week might make the New York Times list while a book that sells 10,000 copies per month for three years never does.”

Keep in mind that The List specifically figures weekly sales numbers into its convoluted equation, not total sales. A title with a surge in sales for one given week could earn a spot, while another consistent seller (that winds up selling more copies over time) never makes the list because sales are at a slower pace. But, again, bear in mind that actual sales are just one piece of hard data that accompany the subjective whims of the NYT compilers.

Consider the advice from four-time bestseller Tucker Max. Don’t “chase bestseller lists, but instead focus on the business and personal goals for [your] book,” he says. “What matters is not selling copies or hitting a list, it’s the impact your book has with your intended audience.”

What Is A Ghostwriter And What Do They Do?

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.
What Is A Ghostwriter And What Do They Do?

To some people, the term “ghostwriter” conjures up images of some kind of covert, undercover secret agent who writes novels under a pen name, never revealing their true identity.

The reality, though, is a whole lot less mysterious.

So, what exactly is a ghostwriter, and what do they do?

Ghostwriters are writers who are hired to write books (or other material) that someone else will be credited for.

In essence, the ghostwriter is the person who listens to your ideas and stories, and then helps you turn those ideas into a book. Once the book has been completed, you are listed as the author, with the ghostwriter’s identity remaining anonymous.

There are times that ghostwriter does receive credit for the part they played in the writing process. However, more frequently ghostwriters remain unknown (as does the fact that a ghostwriter was even used).

Although this may sound odd, it is actually quite a common practice. In fact, there are many celebrities and well-known personalities who regularly hire ghostwriters to help them pen their autobiographies and memoirs.

While ghostwriting is frequently associated with writing books for celebrities and non-celebrities alike, ghostwriters are also used for a variety of other written works, including:

  • Speeches
  • Blogs
  • Social media posts
  • Proposals
  • Newsletters
  • Website content


So, next time you find yourself struggling to put your words to paper, perhaps you should consider hiring a ghostwriter!  

Is “You’re Welcome” in Danger of Becoming Extinct?

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What ever happened to saying, “you’re welcome?”

With terms such as “no problem” and “of course!” gaining popularity in today’s society, it seems that “you’re welcome” is becoming a phrase of the past.

But, why is that? Are people nowadays more rude and inconsiderate? Are we, as a society, lacking in proper etiquette?

According to this interesting read from Country Living, it seems that it actually may be a culture shift in language and our hyper-sensitivity to being considerate that is to blame.

With the rise in popularity of sarcastically using “you’re welcome” without the prompt of “thank you,” the phrase has become associated with being facetious or rude. 

It is important to note, however, that the phrase itself may not be the real problem; it’s the way in which the phrase is delivered.  In fact, graciously saying “you’re welcome” is still a perfectly acceptable and polite response.

So, how can we make sure that “you’re welcome” does not go extinct? According to the article, we should stop being sensitive when we express gratitude and receive a “you’re welcome” in response. Instead, we should accept the expression and encourage the use of “you’re welcome” to flourish once again.

What is the Difference Between a Biography and an Autobiography?

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

In our previous blog, we discussed the difference between an autobiography and a memoir, but what is the difference between an autobiography and a biography?

Well, both are written accounts of a person’s life. There are some big differences that set them apart from each other, though.

A biography:

  • Is the story of a person’s life
  • Is generally written by a person who did an in-depth study of someone else’s life
  • Can be written with or without the consent of the subject
  • Is based on facts about the subject’s life
  • Is usually written in third person
  • Is objective
  • Has the purpose of informing the audience

An autobiography:

  • Is the story of one’s own life
  • Is generally written by (or with the help of) the subject matter
  • Is usually written in first person
  • Is based on facts about the subject’s life
  • Can also include the subject’s thoughts and feelings about the events in their life
  • Is subjective
  • Has the purpose of informing and explaining the motivation behind the subject’s actions

A Vending Machine to Promote Literacy

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Move over candy and soda; there’s a new vending machine in town!

A school in Buffalo, New York, has rolled out a great new program to help promote literacy among its students. After fundraising for a year, the school installed a book vending machine, filled with over $1,000 in new books. Each month, a random selection of children will be given a gold coin, which they can use to purchase a book of their choice from the vending machine.

According to this article from Science Alert, the idea behind the vending machine was to encourage students to read more in and out of school, in hopes of increasing the city’s literacy levels.

Now, that is our idea of a great vending machine!

The Proposal Cover Letter – Your Chance to Brag a Bit

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

The proposal is done. You’ve addressed all the requirements of the RFP, filled in the forms, and attached appendices. Now the only thing left to do is the cover letter. Yes, it’s best to leave it to last, allowing time to reflect back on your proposal and why you are responding to the RFP.

Unlike for the RFP itself, there may be no instructions for what to include in the cover letter. This final task may seem a little intimidating – especially if it’s your first proposal. But you can consider this your opportunity to show your enthusiasm for your organization and the bid you hope to win.

Here are a few tips for writing a cover letter that stands out.

First, the heading and other mandatory stuff.

  • Use company letterhead stationery.
  • Include your phone number, email, and mailing address if they are not part of the letterhead.
  • Include a reference line with the RFP title and number.
  • Make sure you address the letter to the contact person identified in the RFP.
  • Have the head of the organization sign the letter over their title.
  • Keep it to one page.

Now, on to the creative part. Think of the letter in three sections.

The Introduction

First, write a few sentences that express your appreciation for the opportunity to submit a proposal. Let the reader know you understand the RFP and have complied with the requirements.

The Heart

Use the second paragraph to brag about your organization. What’s your story? Are you the third generation of a family business or a start up with a few stellar projects under your belt? Are you an organization with an ongoing mission or one newly formed to address a critical need? What makes you stand out among your competitors?

Looking Ahead

Finish with a few forward looking sentences that communicate how much you are looking forward to working with the potential client. Include the name, phone number, and email of the contact person for the proposal, if it is not the person who is signing the letter.

Now that you have a feel what to include, here’s a sample letter and an article from Bizfluent that covers some of these same suggestions as well as some additional pointers that may be more appropriate for your proposal.

[BEGIN LETTER]

Date

Your Organization

Address

Email

Phone Number

Requestor

Address

RE: [Name and Number of RFP]

[Addressee]

[Your organization] is pleased to present our proposal for [Name of RFP]. Thank you for the opportunity to do business with [Requestor]. Our staff has the training and experience to [mention one, two, or three requirements].

[Who?] established [your organization] in [when?] to [your mission/goal/objective?]. Since then, we have grown to [specific activities]. We are proudest of our latest [product/achievement/recognition]. Our reputation as a [your distinction] sets us apart from our competition in

[your field]

.

We are excited about the potential to work with [Requestor] on this and future projects. Our contact for this proposal is

[name, title, email, phone number]

.

Sincerely,

[Title of Head of Your Organization]

[END LETTER]

Good luck!

10 Famous People Who Used a Ghostwriter

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

If you have visited a book store or a library lately, you have probably noticed that just about every celebrity and politician out there has come out with some kind of “tell all” about their lives.

But, are these celebrities actually sitting down and writing their own books? Or are they employing ghostwriters to help them get their stories onto paper?

Finding the answer to that question is not as easy as you would think. Celebrities tend to be a proud bunch, and don’t really love the idea of giving credit to someone else. In fact, many celebrities or politicians who use ghostwriters require that the ghostwriter sign a non-disclosure agreement, restricting them from taking any credit for the book (or even admitting that they helped write it!)

And frequently, when a celebrity does admit to having help with their book, the term ghostwriter is replaced with other words such as “co-author,” “co-writer,” or “collaborator,” in an attempt to make it sound like the book was still primarily written by the celebrity.

After digging deep, we have come up with a list of 10 celebrities and politicians who are known to have used a ghostwriter (or, as they may put it, “collaborator”) when writing their books.

1. Gwyneth Paltrow:

While the actress later claimed that she wrote every word of her cookbook, titled “My Father’s Daughter,” it seems that she did initially admit to the New York Times that the book was written with the help of ghostwriter, Julia Turshen.

2. Nicole Ritchie:

The actress/model has released two books; an autobiography titled “The Truth About Diamonds,” and a fictional novel called “Priceless.” While promoting “Priceless,” Ritchie claimed that she had penned the entire thing on her own. This was contradicted, however, by her publisher’s claims that a ghostwriter wrote the majority of the book.

3. Pete Wentz:

The front cover of the musician’s book, “Gray,” which was based on his experience with mental illness, credits James Montgomery as a co-writer in the novel.

4. Pamela Anderson:

The former Baywatch star is frequently credited with the celebrity ghostwriting industry’s rise in popularity. She has written two books: “Star” and Star Struck, both of which she openly admits were “co-written” by Eric Shaw Quinn.

5. Laura Bush:

The former first lady acknowledged that her memoir, “Spoken from the Heart,” was written with the assistance of Lyric Winik. According to Mrs. Bush, the stories within the book were her own; she just had help putting them into words. 

6. Chip and Joanna Gains:

The “Fixer Upper” couple’s book, “The Magnolia Story” gives credit to co-author Mark Dagostino. According to Chip Gaines, though, his new book “Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff,” was written without the help of a ghostwriter. He does, however, credit his wife with helping him remember the little details.

7. Hilary Duff:

The actress/singer has recently taken on writing young adult novels. She did confess to having a ghostwriter help her with her books, though, explaining that she is a horrible at spelling.

8. John F. Kennedy:

President Kennedy’s book,  “Profiles in Courage,” which was written when Kennedy was Senator of  Massachusetts, went on to win a Pulitzer Prize. While Kennedy never admitted to using a ghostwriter, his long-time aide and speechwriter, Ted Sorensen, set the record straight in his own autobiography, stating that he “did a first draft of most chapters” of “Profiles” and “helped choose the words of many of its sentences.”

9. Ashley Judd:

The well-known actress and activist’s highly acclaimed memoir, “All That Is Bitter & Sweet: A Memoir,” was primarily written by Judd. She does give credit to Nicholas D. Kristof for writing the foreword in her book, and to Maryanne Vollers for working as her “collaborator.”

10. Leah Remini:

The actress, who is well known for her split with Scientology (and her A&E docuseries), wrote a memoir about her life, titled “Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology.” While the stories are based on her life experiences, she credits “co-author,” Rebecca Paley, with helping her write the book.

25 New Words of 2018

Posted on by The Writers For Hire, Inc.

If you spend any time on the internet or on social media, you are bound to notice that there is an ever-evolving plethora of new words being created all of the time.

What you may not know, however, is that the editors at Miriam-Webster keep track of all of these words.  In fact, just last year they added over 840 new words to their dictionary.

From “adorbs” and “hangry” to “marg” and “guac,” this fun article from Mental Floss explores 25 of the great new words that were added to the Miriam-Webster dictionary in 2018.  

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