Optimise your keyword list with these rules

These are the 6 rules that can help to narrow the opportunities sent to you. For further explanation, please read on below.

  1. Place a comma ' , ' between keywords
  2.  Use Quotation Marks (" ") for terms commonly mentioned together
  3. Use AND for multiple words you want included within the tender title
  4. To continue using incomplete keywords to match multiple words, use Asterisk *
  5. Include both products and services you offer
  6. Exclude keywords with Minus " - "


To update your keywords, access your keywords list here - https://www.tenderboard.biz/mykeywords


1. Place a comma ' , ' between keywords

           

Example 1: guard, patrol, "security officer"


The comma separates each keyword so the system sends you deals that match the relevant terms. In this example, any tenders with the word “guard” or “patrol” or "security officer" will be shortlisted into your daily alerts.


Following Example 1, if a tender calls for “Security services, officers needed” – this will NOT be included in your daily notification because it is not an exact match of your keywords.


Example 2: guard, patrol, security, officer


With Example 2, a comma between security and officer means that any tenders with the word “guard” or "patrol" or “security” or “officer” will be shortlisted into your daily alerts. 


So if a tender title is “Security services, officers needed” – this will be included in your daily notification because it matched with your keywords.



2(a) Use Quotation Marks (" ") for terms commonly mentioned together


Example 3: "public relations", "digital marketing"


Quotation Marks can be used for terms that commonly go together such as in Example 3. This will help narrow down tenders that are sent to you, but be careful as you may also miss out on opportunities if the tender does not have this exact phrase. 


E.g. a tender calling for "Digital media marketing services" will NOT be included with in your daily alerts if your keywords are listed as in Example 3


In contrast, single word keywords match a broader range of tender opportunities, so it's always good to start broad if you're unsure. E.g. creative, marketing, video etc.


2(b) Use Quotation Marks (" ") also for numbers


Example 3: "ME04", "FM200"


Quotation Marks should also be used with numbers so the system will only shortlist tenders with the exact phrase.



3. Use AND for multiple words you want included within the tender title


Example 4: car AND park, park AND gantry


AND can be used for words you want mentioned in the tender title, but they may not necessarily be a common term used. With Example 4, tenders with the words "Car park", "parking lot for cars", "parking gantry" and "gantry for parking lot" will all be included in your daily notification because it matched with your keywords.


Things to note:

  • AND must be in capital letters and in between the 2 words.
  • Do not use Quotation Marks with AND. E.g. "car AND park" will only shortlist tenders with "car and park" 



4. To continue using incomplete keywords to match multiple words, use Asterisk *


To continue simple matching for your keywords, use Asterisk at the end of the word so the system will find you opportunities that have words starting with your keyword.


Example 5: Surg* will match Surgery, Surgical, Surgeon


Things to note:

  • This works for words that begin with your keyword
  • The Asterisk must go at the end of your keyword
  • This is only compatible with single keywords



5. Include both products and services you offer


Most tenders include goods or services buyers are looking for, and it is NOT always that they include their organization name or the industry they are from.


In your keyword list, include all products and services you want to be notified for.



6. Exclude keywords with Minus " - "


Example 6: marketing, design, -build


Use the minus symbol when you do not want to receive alerts that include terms from other industries, such as in Example 6.


In this example, you will receive alerts on deals such as "Marketing services" or "Illustration design services required", but you will NOT receive alerts such as "Design and build library annex".



If you require any assistance with your account settings, you may also contact our Customer Support team at support@tenderboard.biz