RFP and USP

Today’s business world uses a common way to look for a service through something called a “RFP.” This stands for Request For Proposal. An RFP is a document rigidly stating that the company sending it is looking for service. It is usually sent to multiple people as a “bidding” process. It asks to have the recipients answer very specific questions with very specific guidelines on a deadline. An RFP is meant to level the playing field and minimize bias. 

In the creative industry RFPs are becoming more and more frowned upon, even though some designers may be excited to even receive one and to be thought of. In my opinion, it is doing the opposite of what the sender of the RFP is looking for. They are looking for creativity and give no opportunity for the recipient to show it. I also think RFPs are an insult to the recipient because it is being sent to multiple people. It’s like saying t you aren’t good enough, and if they find someone better than you to do the job they will throw you to the side like everyone else. Taking the time and energy to reconstruct a selling pitch to respond to a RFP is a waste of energy if they decided to go with someone else. I just think an RFP is a very unprofessional way to look for creative work. Therefore, I believe RFPs can be harmful to the creative industry. They take away true opportunity of finding good creative work and devalue the meaning of design. A good, professional designer wouldn’t respond to RFPs. They would wait till a better opportunity came their way to do good work.

One way a designer can get themselves out there and advertise what they do is by coming up with a USP. A USP stands for a unique selling point. A USP is a short, concise phrase, or phrases, that state what you have to offer as a designer. They are short and sweet. If I, a graphic designer, had to come up with one it would be something like the following: Advertisement design, specializing in identity work. Local work. $175/hr.