The Real Cost of Hiring a Bid Writer - according to Blume Bid Writers
“How much does it cost to hire a bid writer to complete one grant application?”
It's the question we're asked most often, and until now, we hold our hands up as guilty of giving the frustratingly vague answer: "It's like asking how long is a piece of string."
The cost CAN depend on many variables, including the complexity of the grant, the writer's experience, the timeline and the amount being sought. Pinning down a definitive figure seemed impossible…
But we decided to stop dancing around the question, we’ve conducted research, surveying 37 of our brilliant Blumer bid writers to provide some answers!
We asked:
If you had to give a top-of-the-head price for completing one grant application, what would it be?
Our survey said:
The facts behind the graph:
From just 37 answers, the range is vast: £7,900.00! From the largest value of £8,000.00 to the smallest value of just £100.00!*
Despite the huge range in answers, the median (middle value) is £775.00…
…though the largest number of responses came in the £0 to £500 range
*The upper and lower outliers have been removed from the graph.
We then asked:
“Which of the following factors most affects what you charge?”
Our survey said:
Requirements of the grant application emerged as the strongest pricing driver followed closely by the quality of content the charity already has and the complexity of the subject matter. Interestingly, the size of the amount being asked for ranked lower than expected, suggesting that the bid writer’s focus on the work involved when creating a grant application proposal.
Bluming brilliant advice:
Several Blumers highlighted additional considerations in their responses, including tight deadlines and the time investment required. Crucially, how prepared the charity is from the outset was a really important factor for one Blumer, who noted:
“Having All the prerequisite info available from the start –from recent accounts and governing documents to evidence of need and up-to-date policies – can significantly influence both pricing and project success”.
Final thoughts!
One final top tip that blossomed through the research was that building a relationship with a brilliant bid writer can also pay dividends!
Some respondents noted that whether the work is a one-off project or might lead to an ongoing partnership influences their pricing. So if you know you’re looking for someone for more than just a one-off, don’t be coy, make it clear in your ad and follow up correspondence!
So, we may not have the EXACT figure, but we hope to have shed light on the world of hiring brilliant bid writers, including costs, key considerations, and how long-term planning can lead to a long-lasting relationship.
Curious if there is a bid writer who has been successful at writing a bid for a specific trust or foundation? You can search our bluming successful bid writers by grant here.
Ready to find a freelance bid writer? Arrange a free chat with Alexander, share your requirements and get started.