Writing for the wrong audience – big mistake number four

Just who are you writing the TQS application for? Think carefully about the question because the answer will shape your whole submission.

Are you writing with the audience for your self-assessment report in mind? Are you writing for OFSTED? Are you writing for the LSC, or for another funding agency? Are you writing for nobody and no one, and just aiming to get through the job as quickly as possible?

If you write your submission primarily for any of these groups, you are writing for the wrong audience.

If you are going to write a good application, you need to think carefully about your audience. In this case, you are writing for the lead assessor, the person who will manage your TQS assessment and who will be your main contact with the assessment process.

As you write consider this person’s situation, and what he or she needs to find in your application. Put yourself in the lead assessor’s shoes, and think about what you would like to read.

You know that the lead assessor will want to gain an understanding of your organisation and what you do, so make sure this is clearly stated.

You know the lead assessor wants to undertake a scoring activity, so make sure you write clearly. Give him or her as much help as possible, by dealing with what is asked for in each section of the application.

You know the lead assessor will be visiting your site, and only has your application to help him or her to prepare, so make sure you include everything you want the assessment team to be aware of, before they arrive.

Avoid this big mistake by taking time to craft an application that is written with a clear purpose and for a defined audience. Your application will be stronger and more coherent if you follow this advice.

As a result you will understand your own organisation better, too.