Grant Writing Skills: The Art of Persuasion

Every day, a grant writer is faced with the challenge of persuading those potential companies to fund for their clients project or program. But what makes a funder say yes to requests? It’s because someone has convinced them that the idea serves a purpose and it’s the right solution for the problem but it needs a funding grant. Its persuasion which many consider as the secret to writing grant proposals that win. Persuasion is not only an art but one of the most important grant writing skills, though we must not overlook the basic aptitude of a writer on good grammar, correct punctuation and accurate spelling.

Aside from strengthening your persuasion attempts, a grant writer should develop and harness his skills in writing, storytelling and consultation. To be successful, you should be able to think entrepreneurially and you should be able to identify the association’s needs and use your skills in meeting it. Write a strategic and thoughtful publication that builds reputation. Researching about your funder, the community and funding source trends for new opportunities.

Now a grant writer’s work does not solely depend on writing itself. Sometimes your speaking skills are required for a convincing presentation. Remember, your ability in speaking and interacting will come into play numerous times throughout the grant application process. Grant writing skills also require you to be resilient when taking rejections. You will learn to overcome negative responses to a project idea and shift without losing your set sense of purpose.

Another factor you may consider to get a grant is storytelling where you provide the potential donor a glimpse of the whole picture and the possible consequences should they decide to approve the grant. Make the funder visualize the idea of how you can improve the conditions of the community, what are the positive results of your project, and why they should be very immediate in answering to your client’s needs. Remind them of the consequences if they rejected it. Make it creative, important, convincing and direct but still keep pressing how serious you are about results.

Those mentioned tips for grant writing are constructive tools that can help you to pull off that winning grant proposal but the most crucial factor to consider is still you—your confidence, passion and how much you care about your idea. It’s all you. Of course, excellent writing skill is an asset to become successful, highlighting the genuine strength of your proposal to create outcomes and ideas that are in the best interest of all parties involved. In reality, however small the opportunity for success is, the way in which you negotiate through your proposal will determine whether you are able to take advantage of that chance.