How to Write an RFQ that Gets 3+ Comparable Quotes in 24 hrs ✽
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By: Entasher
How to Write an RFQ
How to Write an RFQ that Gets 3+ Comparable Quotes in 24 Hours (Templates + Examples)
Clear RFQs save weeks. When your brief is specific, comparable, and time-boxed, vendors reply faster and you can shortlist with confidence. Use this guide to structure your RFQ so you consistently receive 3+ aligned offers in 24–48 hours from verified providers on Entasher.
🚀 Submit Your RFQ on Entasher NowIf your scope involves digital marketing, media production, web design, or events management, name the exact service category in your RFQ title for faster, more accurate replies.
What an RFQ Really Means in 2025
An RFQ (Request for Quotation) asks vendors to price a clearly defined scope. It’s different from an RFP (where solutions vary) and from formal tenders. For fast-moving categories—like social media management, SEO, Google Ads, influencer marketing, content, and production—a structured RFQ is the fastest route to comparable offers.
Outcome: your RFQ should let two different agencies price the same thing in the same way. That’s the foundation of “apples-to-apples”.
RFQ Structure (Checklist)
Include the sections below. Missing any of them usually causes delays or generic pricing.
| Section | Purpose | Best practice | Example (marketing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Overview | Set context in 3–5 lines | State service, geography, audience | “Need digital marketing for Egypt retail brand; Arabic + English.” |
| Deliverables | Define outputs | Use measurable units | “12 posts/mo, 2 reels, ad creatives, monthly report.” |
| Mandatory Specs | Prevent guesswork | Formats, dimensions, volumes, durations | “Reels 1080×1920; 60s max; SRT captions.” |
| Timeline | Time-box responses | Use absolute Cairo time | “Deadline: 15 Sep 2025, 17:00 Africa/Cairo.” |
| Evaluation Matrix | Enable comparability | Publish weights in the RFQ | Price 40% • Quality 40% • Speed 20% |
| Attachments | Evidence & context | Brand guide, references, past assets | Logo pack, sample copy deck |
| Admin & Terms | Reduce back-and-forth | Payment terms, invoicing, VAT | “VAT included; 50/50 milestones; e-invoice accepted.” |
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Mandatory Specifications (Make Them Comparable)
Specs should reflect the service. Examples below for common B2B marketing scopes:
| Category | Key specs to include | Helpful link |
|---|---|---|
| Social Media | Platforms, #posts, formats, languages, moderation hours | Social Media Agencies |
| SEO | Target pages, keyword clusters, languages, CMS, reporting cadence | SEO Companies |
| Google Ads | Monthly media cap, geos, objectives, creative supply, tracking | Google Ads Services |
| Influencer | Creator tier (micro/macro), platform, usage rights, regions | Influencer Agencies |
| Production | Duration, resolution, shot list, locations, VO/music rights | Media Production |
| Branding | Assets needed, markets, research scope, revision rounds | Branding Agencies |
Evaluation Matrix (Weights & Notes)
Publishing your weights in the RFQ is the fastest way to receive aligned quotations. A balanced starting point:
| Criteria | Weight | What “good” looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Price clarity | 40% | Line-item breakdown; media vs fees split |
| Relevant work | 30% | Case studies in your industry/geography |
| Turnaround & capacity | 20% | Realistic start date; named team |
| Value adds | 10% | Reporting, training, or warranty |
Timelines: Traditional vs Entasher
You can compress weeks of sourcing into two days when the RFQ is structured and distributed to verified providers.
| Step | Traditional sourcing | Entasher RFQ |
|---|---|---|
| Draft RFQ | 3–5 days | 1 day (use template below) |
| Find vendors | 5–10 days | Minutes (platform distribution) |
| Receive offers | 1–3 weeks | 24–48 hours (3+ aligned quotes) |
| Compare & shortlist | 4–7 days | 1–2 days (evaluation matrix) |
Templates & Examples You Can Copy
Title: Digital Marketing RFQ – Egypt (Arabic + English) Duration: 6 months Geography: Egypt Objective: Lead generation for B2B SaaS Deliverables: • Social: 12 posts/mo + 2 reels; Arabic & English • Search: SEO content – 4 pages/mo; keyword clusters provided • Ads: Google Ads always-on; monthly cap specified Mandatory Specs: • Reels 1080×1920, ≤60s, subtitles (.srt) • Reporting: monthly, KPIs = CPL, CAC, ROAS • Brand assets attached (logo, fonts, tone guide) Evaluation & Deadlines: • Weights: Price 40%, Quality 40%, Speed 20% • Submission deadline: 15 Sep 2025, 17:00 Africa/Cairo • Start date: 1 Oct 2025
If your scope is purely web, reference web design and web development categories and add acceptance criteria (e.g., Core Web Vitals thresholds).
Use this template → Submit RFQRFQ Red Flags & How to Fix Them
| Red flag | Risk | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| One-line brief | Generic pricing; low response rate | Add deliverables + specs + deadline |
| No deadline | Late or no responses | Use absolute date & time (Africa/Cairo) |
| Unclear evaluation | Hard to compare | Publish % weights |
| No attachments | Rework and delays | Upload brand guide, references |
| Wrong category | Mismatched vendors | Link the right service (e.g., media buying) |
Country Notes (Egypt • KSA • UAE)
- Egypt: Strong bilingual content market; competitive pricing for content and social.
- KSA: Higher campaign caps; clarify usage rights for influencer and production.
- UAE: Regional hub; specify multi-country rollouts and reporting for digital agencies.
Stakeholder Mapping (Who Cares About What)
| Role | Main concern | Message in RFQ | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Lead | Quality & brand fit | Show creative samples & tone | Portfolio links; branding references |
| Procurement | Comparability & speed | Weights + deadline | 3+ quotes within 24–48h |
| Finance | Budget control | Line items + VAT | Transparent fees vs media |
| Legal | Rights & compliance | Usage terms & invoicing | E-invoicing: tools |
What should an RFQ include to get comparable quotes?
Clear deliverables, measurable specs, a deadline, attachments, and your evaluation weights. For marketing scopes, reference the right category (e.g., social, SEO, production).
How long do RFQ responses usually take in Egypt/KSA/UAE?
With a well-structured RFQ and verified vendors, most buyers receive 3–5 proposals in 24–48 hours on Entasher.
Is there a cost to submit RFQs on Entasher?
Submit through the official form and select the relevant service category. Submit RFQ.
What’s the difference between RFQ and RFP?
RFQs price a defined scope; RFPs invite varied solutions. If your scope is exploratory (e.g., end-to-end branding + research), consider a discovery phase with branding agencies.
Can SMEs benefit from RFQs or is it enterprise only?
SMEs benefit the most: structured RFQs generate multiple offers quickly and keep budgets under control across digital, web, and production.
Final Step
You now have the structure, tables, and templates to request aligned proposals fast. Publish your RFQ once—then compare, shortlist, and award with confidence.
Submit Your RFQ in Minutes
Ready to receive 3+ comparable quotations?
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