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Whether you’re a freelancer, a software development enterprise employee, or the owner of your own firm, you’re always seeking new business. A critical part of finding said business is responding swiftly and appropriately to potential clients’ needs.

Before you have the job, though, your first goal is the same: to write the best brief possible that stands out from other submissions.

Follow these five tips to help you craft a brief that will impress your potential clients and score your next gig:

The Basics of a Brief

Your brief should always include the following elements, and adjust them according to your client’s specifications:

A description of the project you are proposing
Your proposal’s technical requirements
A project budget
A timeline broken down into benchmarks and deadlines
Methods for communication and updates
A synopsis of the successful and related development projects you have completed (it’s wise to include references)
A concise description of your team members (if relevant), their backgrounds, and their expertise

However, a compelling brief must include more than the basics if it’s to persuade a potential client you are the best choice.

Take a look at these five tips that might push you to the top of the competition.

1) Do Your Research

Dig deep into the client’s organization, mission, operations, and key players. Your research should include a thorough study of the company’s website. Beyond that, how and where has the organization been mentioned in the press? Does it have social media platforms? Does it have a LinkedIn profile? If so, what groups does it belong to within that platform?

Having this knowledge will help you write your brief, and referring to your research demonstrates that you have taken the time to get to know the organization as intimately as possible.

2) Watch Your Written Communication

Writing is a critical skill that lots of developers underestimate. Face it — techies are rarely known for their written communication abilities. Potential clients, though, may demand these skills. After all, you will need to communicate with them on multiple levels, and much of it may be in writing. For example, you might make decisions together over a phone call, but it’s important to follow the conversation up with written confirmation to avoid misunderstandings.

Consider this, too: You need to craft a cover letter that introduces yourself and addresses the value you can offer the client. It’s essential to explain your development process and provide background information about yourself and your team.

These initial written communications leave an important first impression. If you have any concerns about your abilities to be creative, engaging, and compelling, as well as to produce perfectly polished writing, get professional help from top writers in the writing service industry. They can take your information and turn it into exceptional pieces of writing.

3) Remember Your Audience

A company manager might not be tech-savvy. They may have a general idea of what they want a software application to do but don’t understand the development process. When you present your brief, don’t rely too heavily on your idea’s technical aspects. You will lose your audience in the jargon. Instead, focus on similar projects that you have successfully developed and how valuable they were to previous clients.

4) Consider Developing a Customized Survey

Something potential clients rarely expect is a customized survey, let alone one that really digs into the specifics of what they’re looking for. You can use a generic template or redesign one according to your potential client’s stated needs. A survey is an impressive addition to your brief because it lets your client know you care about their business’s most intricate pain points.

5) Don’t Be Afraid to Follow-Up

The software development business is highly competitive, so other people are certainly submitting briefs for the same project. It helps to follow-up without appearing too “hungry” or harassing. A follow-up email that offers to answer any additional questions they may have is polite, and it can serve to renew your name or business in the client’s memory.

You won’t win them all, and that’s okay. However, preparing the best brief possible increases your chances of success. Taking these five tips into account as you create your brief could give you the competitive edge you need to win more business.

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