How to Use Video in Tender Submissions and Public Sector Bids 

Graphic showing the text “How to use video

When organisations search for video for bids councils, they are usually under pressure. Deadlines are tight, competition is strong, and procurement processes are increasingly complex. Everyone submitting a bid is saying the right things on paper—so the real challenge becomes how to stand out without taking unnecessary risks. 

Video, when used correctly, can be one of the most effective tools in a tender submission. Not because it is flashy or creative, but because it adds clarity, credibility, and human presence to an otherwise document-heavy process. 

At Title Productions, we support organisations working with councils, government bodies, and public institutions to use video strategically in bids—without compromising compliance, professionalism, or procurement rules. 

This guide explains how video can support tender submissions, when it should be used, and how to do it properly. 

Why Video Is Increasingly Relevant in Public Sector Bids 

Public sector procurement is evolving. While written responses remain essential, evaluators are under growing pressure to assess: 

  • Capability 
  • Experience 
  • Delivery confidence 
  • Stakeholder understanding 

A well-planned bid video helps decision-makers see and hear the organisation behind the paperwork. It doesn’t replace written answers—it reinforces them. 

For councils and public bodies reviewing dozens (sometimes hundreds) of submissions, video can: 

  • Make complex information easier to understand 
  • Humanise the supplier organisation 
  • Build confidence in delivery capability 
  • Reduce ambiguity around people, processes, and outcomes 

This is why interest in video for bids councils has increased steadily—particularly for framework agreements, long-term service contracts, and community-focused projects. 

Smartphone mounted on a tripod recording a video setup with studio lights in the background
Smartphone mounted on a tripod recording a video setup with studio lights in the background

What a Bid Video Is (and What It Is Not) 

A bid video is not a marketing advert.

This is one of the most important distinctions to get right. 

A strong bid video is: 

  • Clear, structured, and professional 
  • Directly aligned with the tender questions 
  • Calm and confident in tone 
  • Focused on reassurance, not promotion 

It supports the written submission by showing: 

  • Who you are 
  • How you work 
  • That you understand the brief 
  • That you can deliver reliably 

Through our video media services, we help organisations avoid the common mistake of over-producing bid videos and instead focus on clarity and trust, which matter far more in public sector evaluation. 

When Video Should Be Used in Tender Submissions 

Not every tender requires video—but when used appropriately, it can be extremely effective. 

Video works best when: 

  • The tender allows or encourages supplementary materials 
  • The contract involves service delivery, people, or community impact 
  • The bid requires explanation of processes or methodology 
  • The buyer needs reassurance about capability and governance 

In public sector contexts, video is particularly useful for: 

  • Council service contracts 
  • Education and higher learning bids 
  • Framework applications 
  • Community engagement projects 
  • Regeneration and development proposals 

We regularly support organisations working within councils and government environments where video adds clarity without risking compliance. 

Person typing on a laptop displaying an online application form for professional or public sector submissions
Person typing on a laptop displaying an online application form for professional or public sector submissions

What to Include in a Public Sector Bid Video 

Clear Introduction and Context 

A bid video should begin by clearly stating: 

  • Who the organisation is 
  • What the video relates to 
  • Which tender or service area it supports 

This immediately reassures evaluators that the video is relevant, intentional, and respectful of their time. 

People, Not Just Promises 

One of the biggest advantages of video in bids is the ability to show real people.

Introducing key team members helps evaluators: 

  • Understand roles and responsibilities 
  • See leadership and accountability 
  • Build confidence in delivery teams 

This is especially important in bids involving long-term partnerships, education providers, or public-facing services, as seen in many of our education and higher learning projects. 

Explanation of Approach and Methodology 

Written method statements are essential—but they can be dense. 

Video allows organisations to: 

  • Explain their approach clearly and calmly 
  • Reinforce key points from the written bid 
  • Reduce misunderstanding or ambiguity 

This is particularly effective for technical or operational bids, including those in manufacturing and engineering contexts where process clarity matters. 

Evidence of Experience and Delivery 

Rather than listing experience again, video can: 

  • Show real environments 
  • Reference completed projects 
  • Demonstrate operational scale 
  • Reinforce past performance 

This visual confirmation builds trust in a way text alone often cannot. 

What Not to Do in a Bid Video 

Understanding what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to include. 

Common mistakes include: 

  • Overly promotional language 
  • Music-led or cinematic editing styles 
  • Ignoring tender evaluation criteria 
  • Making the video too long or unfocused 

Public sector evaluators are not looking to be entertained. They are looking to be reassured. 

This is why professional planning matters more than production spectacle. 

A Simple Bid Video Structure (Template) 

A typical public sector bid video follows a clear, logical structure: 

  1. Opening context – who you are and what the video supports 
  1. Understanding of the brief – demonstrating alignment with the council or authority’s objectives 
  1. Delivery approach – how the service will be provided 
  1. Team and governance – who is responsible and how accountability is managed 
  1. Closing reassurance – confidence, compliance, and readiness 

This structure ensures the video complements the written submission rather than distracting from it. 

Why Professional Support Matters for Bid Videos 

Producing a bid video without guidance can introduce risk—especially in regulated procurement environments. 

Working with a professional team ensures: 

  • The tone remains appropriate for public sector audiences 
  • The content aligns with evaluation criteria 
  • The video is accessible, clear, and compliant 
  • The production quality reflects professionalism without excess 

Many bid videos we support are filmed in controlled environments such as our Creative Studio in Manchester, ensuring consistent audio, lighting, and clarity—without unnecessary complexity. 

How Bid Videos Support Stronger Tender Outcomes 

While video does not guarantee success, it can significantly improve: 

  • Evaluator understanding 
  • Confidence in delivery 
  • Differentiation from similar bids 
  • Overall professionalism of the submission 

This is why organisations increasingly see bid video not as an extra, but as strategic support—particularly when competing for high-value or long-term public sector contracts. 

Diverse team standing in a circle outdoors with hands joined together, symbolizing teamwork and collaboration
Diverse team standing in a circle outdoors with hands joined together, symbolizing teamwork and collaboration

Final Thoughts: Video as Reassurance, Not Decoration 

In public sector procurement, trust matters more than flair. 

The most effective bid videos are calm, clear, and purposeful. They don’t oversell. They don’t distract. They simply help evaluators understand who they are working with. 

If you are preparing a tender and exploring video for bids councils, the smartest step is to seek guidance early—before assumptions are made or opportunities missed. 

Request bid support to discuss how video can strengthen your tender submission while remaining fully appropriate for public sector evaluation. 

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