From First Draft to Dream Job: How to Start a Proposal Writing Career
Did you know you can get paid to write—and help businesses win big deals at the same time? It sounds too good to be true, but it’s a real (and rewarding) career path.
It’s called proposal writing.
In this role, you’ll use your storytelling skills to craft compelling proposals that persuade clients to choose your company. Even better? You’ll be part of a high-performing team that directly contributes to revenue and long-term growth.
So if you’ve always wanted to turn your love of writing into a dream job, keep reading. In this article, you’ll learn the steps and skills you need to get started.
But First, What is a Proposal Writer?
A proposal writer develops persuasive responses to requests for proposals (RFPs), helping organizations win new business, secure funding, and land high-value contracts. They’re typically part of a dedicated proposal team and collaborate closely with business development, sales, marketing, and subject matter experts.
The core responsibilities of a proposal writer include:
- Analyzing RFPs to understand the client’s needs, evaluation criteria, and submission guidelines.
- Collaborating with stakeholders to gather accurate answers to RFP questions, while tailoring the solution to the client.
- Writing and editing proposal content to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with the RFP requirements.
- Managing proposal timelines to ensure all deliverables are completed accurately and submitted on time.
- Maintaining a content library of reusable proposal templates and boilerplate responses to streamline future submissions.
In some cases, particularly at smaller companies, a proposal writer may also take on the responsibilities of a proposal manager. While wearing multiple hats (especially for a higher position) can accelerate your career growth, it’s often beneficial to start on a larger team where experienced professionals in the field can mentor you.
💼 Similar RFP Positions to a Proposal Writer
- Technical Proposal Writer: Focuses on proposals that require in-depth technical knowledge, often for IT, engineering, or construction projects.
- RFP Response Specialist: Specializes in responding to Requests for Proposals, often in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Content Manager: Maintains and builds upon a database of sales and proposal content to improve response quality and team efficiency.
- Grant Writer: Though not related to RFPs, this role specializes in writing proposals for nonprofit organizations seeking grants and funding.
The Ups and Downs Most Proposal Writers Face Day-to-Day
If you’re looking to become a proposal writer, it’s a good idea to get a clear picture of what to expect when it comes to your day-to-day work. While it can be a rewarding career, like any job, it does come with its fair share of challenges. For transparency’s sake, let’s look at the ups and downs of being a proposal writer today:
👍 Up: You Make a Big Impact
Proposal writers help organizations secure new business. That means your work directly contributes to the company’s growth and success, which can be incredibly fulfilling.
👎 Down: You Work Against Tight Deadlines
Proposal writers often face intense pressure to deliver high-quality work on tight deadlines. In fact, the average turnaround time for a proposal is 10 days or less.
👍 Up: There’s Lots of Variety
No two proposal projects are the same, which is part of what makes this role so exciting. Each opportunity lets you dive into new industries, clients, and challenges.
👎 Down: There are High Expectations
The stakes are high in proposal writing. Clients expect every RFP requirement to be met, while internal stakeholders rely on your work to help them win business.
👍 Up: There’s Opportunity for Career Advancement
As you gain experience, you can progress to more senior roles like director of proposal operations, or even explore specialized career paths like technical writing.
👎 Down: You Have to Deal With RFP Rejection
Not every proposal will win—and that’s okay. Being open to feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and applying those lessons to future proposals is key.
💰 What is the Average Salary of a Proposal Writer?
According to Loopio’s RFP Careers & Salaries Report, the average salary of a proposal writer is $89,106 USD. For comparison, the overall average salary for proposal professionals is $94,184 USD—indicating that proposal writers are compensated competitively and paid on par with others in the field.
How to Become a Proposal Writer With Little to No Experience
If the responsibilities above match what you want in your daily work, you may be ready to start applying for proposal writing positions. But as with any career, getting started requires more than just a can-do attitude (though that certainly helps).
If you’re eager to become a proposal writer, here are some steps you can take:
1. Pursue Formal Education
While a bachelor’s degree in fields like English, Communications, Marketing, or Business is often preferred, it’s not always a requirement for a career in proposal writing. Many organizations value practical experience over formal education, particularly for candidates with a strong portfolio or relevant work experience.
If you’re just starting out, don’t stress if you lack a degree in a directly related field. A company might value your background in other areas more (like finance or healthcare), where your love of writing is a bonus that gets you in the door.
2. Develop Essential Skills
Even if you haven’t gained real-world work experience yet, showing that you’ve taken initiative to learn proposal writing skills through other avenues will go a long way in impressing hiring managers. Here’s where you can start:
- Take online courses: Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy offer a variety of online courses in technical writing, proposal development, and project management. These resources can provide essential knowledge and help you stay current with best practices in proposal writing.
- Learn industry standards: Understanding the specific standards, guidelines, and frameworks within different industries—such as government contracting, healthcare, or tech—will help you tailor your proposals accordingly. For example, NIST cybersecurity standards are vital for proposals within federal contracting, while ISO certifications may be important in international markets.
- Learn the tools of the trade: Top-performing proposal writers use tools like RFP response software and generative AI to write quality proposals faster. For the former, watch demos to see how this technology works. For the latter, practice with tools like ChatGPT to draft proposals for fictional companies. (💡This can be a great way to build a portfolio without work experience, too.)
3. Gain Practical Experience
While formal education and courses provide a theoretical foundation, practical experience is what truly prepares you for a proposal writing career. You can gain practical experience through:
- Internships: Seek out internships in marketing, business development, or presales—these areas often intersect with the RFP process. Even if you don’t write proposals to start, you may have the chance to support proposal efforts or gain valuable exposure to how RFPs are managed. This experience will give you a strong foundation for a proposal writing role in the future.
- Freelancing: Freelancing can be an excellent way to build a portfolio while gaining experience across different industries. You might find yourself working on everything from small business proposals to large-scale government bids—giving you a well-rounded set of samples and skills.
- Entry-level positions: If freelancing isn’t viable, consider applying for entry-level positions like a proposal assistant or proposal coordinator. These roles can provide valuable exposure to the proposal development lifecycle and allow you to gain insight into how RFP teams work together.
4. Build a Strong Portfolio
Having a strong portfolio is one of the best ways to showcase your ability to craft high-quality proposals. Just be sure that when you apply for a position, you:
- Showcase relevant proposals: Tailor your portfolio to the types of opportunities you want to pursue. Whether it’s government contracts, private sector RFPs, or large-scale project bids, including relevant samples will show an employer that you understand their industry and proposal needs.
- Highlight winning work: Don’t just feature completed proposals—highlight those that delivered results. When possible, include metrics like win rates, revenue generated, or client outcomes. Demonstrating the impact of your work helps you stand out as a results-driven professional.
- Keep it fresh: Continuously update your portfolio as you gain experience. Be sure to include recent, high-impact proposals—especially those that were complex or strategically significant—as a reflection of your growth and capability over time.
5. Network With Proposal Professionals
Networking can play a critical role in advancing your proposal writing career. That’s because other proposal professionals can offer valuable insights into industry trends and help you identify potential job opportunities. How do you find your people?
- Join professional associations: Organizations like the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) offer resources, certifications, and the opportunity to connect with others in the field. Being an active member of such groups can help you expand your professional network and stay updated on best practices.
- Engage on LinkedIn and online communities: LinkedIn groups, industry forums, and online communities (like Response Insiders) can be great places to meet fellow proposal professionals. By actively participating in discussions, you can pick up real-world tips and even uncover new job opportunities.
- Attend industry events: Whether in-person or virtual, attending conferences, webinars, or workshops can help you expand your network and deepen your knowledge. Look for events hosted by APMP or sector-specific groups to meet like-minded professionals and learn about industry trends.
💌 A Message to Proposal Writer Job Seekers
Don’t rush to disqualify yourself. It’s easy to talk yourself out of applying for a job if you don’t meet all of the requirements, but you don’t need to check every box to be a strong candidate. If you meet around 70–80% of the criteria and have relevant experience, just go for it. Many hiring managers look for potential, not perfection.
Sharpen These 5 Skills to Become a Successful Proposal Writer
Being a strong writer is just a starting point. To truly thrive in this RFP career, you’ll need to do more than craft a well-written sentence. From collaboration to critical thinking, here are the top proposal writing skills you must sharpen:
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1. Strong Writing and Communication Skills
Of course, a successful proposal writer must have strong writing skills to convey complex ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively. You must be able to explain technical details in plain language, tailor a proposal’s message so it resonates with the client, and adjust the tone of voice to align with brand guidelines.
But a skill that’s often overlooked is verbal communication. As a proposal writer, you’ll collaborate with various stakeholders—such as sellers, executives, and SMEs—to gather input, develop a response strategy, and make revisions. Being able to share ideas, ask insightful questions, and offer constructive feedback is just as important.
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2. Project Management Skills
Strong project management skills are essential for proposal writers. You’ll often juggle multiple proposals at once—each with its own urgent deadlines. The ability to organize, prioritize, and keep everything moving on schedule (without letting anything slip through the cracks) is crucial to thriving in this fast-paced role.
Skilled proposal writers excel at time management and adapting to shifting scopes. You must be able to keep the proposal process on track from first draft to submission, ensuring the final proposal is polished, compliant, and compelling.
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3. Research and Analytical Abilities
Research and analytical skills also play a key role. A successful proposal writer doesn’t just respond to RFPs—they dig deep to understand the client’s needs, industry trends, and the competitive landscape—all of which helps craft a quality proposal.
By researching the client’s business, challenges, and goals, you can tailor your proposal to speak directly to their pain points and priorities. And by evaluating a competitor’s offerings, you can uncover opportunities for differentiation.
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4. Attention to Detail
Requests for proposals often come with strict requirements—ranging from formatting rules and mandatory documentation to legal disclaimers and specific submission instructions. Missing just one section can lead to disqualification.
As a proposal writer, having a sharp eye for detail helps you avoid costly proposal writing mistakes, such as failing to address a client’s key criteria. Even small errors can impact how a client perceives your organization’s professionalism.
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5. Critical Thinking and Strategic Planning
To succeed as a proposal writer, you need to think critically about your company’s strengths—and even its limitations—to position your solution in the best light. This helps you develop strong win themes that make for a compelling proposal narrative.
But great proposals don’t just focus on the now, they also look ahead. It’s not enough to solve the client’s current pain points, you also need to demonstrate how your company will support their long-term success. By painting a clear picture of the ongoing partnership, you can show that your organization is in it for the long haul.
💌 Bonus Skill: AI and RFP Software Proficiency
In this day and age, proposal writers are expected to be proficient with industry tools like RFP response software—and more recently, generative AI. When used effectively, these tools can help you write winning proposals faster by generating solid first drafts, repurposing past responses, and streamlining the review process.
New to generative AI? Learn how to use AI for proposal writing (prompts included).
Turning the Page in Your Proposal Career
A career in proposal writing is both challenging and deeply rewarding. It’s a path for those who love to write with purpose, think strategically, and collaborate with others.
Whether you’re just starting out or transitioning from another field, know that your curiosity, commitment, and willingness to learn will take you far. There will be deadlines, revisions, and moments of doubt—but there will also be big wins. Keep going, stay curious, and trust that you’ve got what it takes to thrive in this career.