EP028: Liberate Your Inner Writer & Start the RFP Process – with Sandra Younger of ComeBACK Solutions

What is the most frustrating aspect of writing an RFP? For many, the most difficult part of the process is simply getting started. So, what can we do to liberate our inner writer and set up a protocol that works for us? How can we take the pressure off and remember that writing is just talking on paper? What strategies do career writers use to get in the zone and generate a first draft?

Sandra Younger has 30 years of professional experience as a journalist and storyteller. Her Amazon bestselling memoir, The Fire Outside My Window, tells the story of her experience during the catastrophic California Cedar Fire in 2003. Sandra leveraged what she learned from the fire to found ComeBACK Solutions International, an organization that works with disaster survivors and emergency leaders to build resilience and transform disaster and loss into opportunity and legacy. She is also the founder and Chief Story Strategist with Strategic Story Solutions, a firm that helps individuals and businesses discover the meaning, message and mission in their own stories.

Today, Sandra joins us to explain why getting started is the most frustrating part of the writing process and offer strategies on establishing a writing protocol that works for you. She describes how storytelling creates emotional connection and builds the trust necessary to drive sales. Sandra also shares the value in knowing your audience, asking headline questions of attraction, and writing in a way that is both professional AND conversational. Listen in for Sandra’s insight on liberating your inner writer to generate a winning RFP—and learn how to build a strategic argument in favor of your unique ability to meet the client’s needs!

Key Takeaways

  • The unique perspective in Sandra’s book on the Cedar Fire

  • Why getting started is the hardest part of the writing process

  • How emotional connection builds the trust that drives sales

  • Why storytelling is the #1 way to create emotional connection

  • The importance of using case studies in your RFP response

  • Sandra’s tips for writing to make the sale

    • Know your audience

    • Leverage storytelling

    • Ask for sale with CTA

  • Sandra’s insight on leveraging headline questions of attraction

  • How to write in a way that is professional AND conversational

  • Sandra’s tips for initiating the writing process

    • Remove distractions and establish protocol

    • Put self in here and now

    • Write without censoring (set timer)

    • Use mind mapping or talking to plan

  • Why your first draft should NOT be perfect

  • The concept of liberating your inner writer

  • How to develop a strategy for persuasion through writing

  • The value of knowing the rules and regulations of grammar

 

GET TO KNOW THIS WEEK'S GUEST

 

BINGE ON ALL THINGS RFP

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EP029: Storytelling to Build Trust & Sell Your Service – with Sandra Younger of ComeBACK Solutions

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EP027: 10 Top Productivity Hacks – with Lisa Rehurek