Tender writing, don’t just cut and paste: interpolate
Reusing content for tenders, bids, and proposals doesn’t have to mean stale, generic material.
Instead of mindless copy-pasting, interpolation allows you to reimagine and adapt existing boilerplate into something tailored, relevant, and compelling.
What is interpolation?
In the popular music context it’s the process of taking existing elements and transforming them into something fresh and unique.
Think of how musicians use interpolation: the Fugees’ ‘Killing Me Softly’ is a perfect example. Rather than directly copying Roberta Flack’s original, they reimagined it with Lauryn Hill’s soulful vocals and a new rap-infused arrangement. They respected the source material while making it their own - both familiar and distinctly different.
The same principle can apply to your tenders, bids and proposals. Instead of simply copying and pasting old boilerplate, interpolation ensures that your content speaks directly to your client’s needs and stands out from the competition.
Why reuse isn’t a dirty word in tender writing
Professional services firms often face tight turnaround times for proposals, leaving little room for “fresh” writing. Reusing boilerplate isn’t just a shortcut: it’s a necessity. When done right, interpolation lets you:
save time with pre-approved material
maintain consistency across proposals
focus your energy on tailoring sections that truly matter, like client-specific solutions or delivery models.
But beware: poorly reused boilerplate can lead to generic, uninspired content that misses the mark with evaluators. This is where interpolation shines - adding nuance, client-specific details, and a fresh point of view to a solution or service offering.
Avoiding the risks of copy-pasting boilerplate
Boilerplate content can work against you if:
it’s too generic and fails to address client-specific needs
it mirrors competitors’ proposals, making your submission indistinguishable
errors creep in from overreliance on automated tools like ‘find and replace’.
Here’s a quick test: if you replaced your firm’s name with your competitor’s, would the content still make sense? If so, it’s time to refine your approach.
How to interpolate boilerplate for maximum impact
1. Build a smart proposal library
Create a repository of adaptable, high-quality content for common professional services proposal sections - from longer pieces that might run to a page or two to paragraphs or tables, covering recurring items such as:
service delivery models
client relationships or account management approaches
firm infrastructure (e.g., systems, data security)
editable diagrams or flowcharts
professional profiles and CVs
pricing and alternative pricing.
Refine this library over time, ensuring it reflects updated capabilities and client needs.
2. Tailor with precision - make it distinct for this bid, this client, this opportunity
Don’t just tweak the introduction; embed specifics throughout:
include the client’s name (the absolute minimum amount of effort!)
industry or market context
pain points or hot buttons (i.e. topical concerns your client is grappling with)
adjust benefits to align with the client’s goals and minimise their risk (spoken and unspoken)
add concrete examples to back up your claims (make sure they make sense for this client)
insights into the client’s issues or problems can be a way to demonstrate your value proposition.
3. Highlight differentiation
Every proposal should answer the question: Why us?
Showcase what sets your firm apart, like unique technology, specialised expertise, or proven methodologies. Outcomes or results are what clients want to buy (not the methodologies - even if they are asking for details of ‘how’ it’s done you need to get to the result - they want to know ‘what will we get if we choose you?’).
4. Inject personality
Write in a tone that reflects your firm’s identity - clear, engaging, and relevant - rather than defaulting to dull corporate jargon.
From boilerplate to bespoke
Even if you start with boilerplate, interpolation ensures each proposal feels bespoke. Just as the Fugees transformed Killing Me Softly into a timeless hit by reinterpreting the original, you can reimagine your proposal content to connect with evaluators.
By focusing on interpolation; customising, enhancing, and aligning content to this specific client needs on this specific occasion; you’ll not only save time but also create submissions that stand out and resonate.
Need help?
At Bidtique, we specialise in helping professional services firms build and refine proposal libraries and develop boilerplate that is both reusable and effective.
Let us help you transform your content into tailored, winning proposals.
Happy interpolating!