Fools Note #2: One Tip from Reading 1000 applications
I’ve learned a lot about what makes an application successful and what doesn’t, and here is 1 tip I’ve learned in reading on average 2.7 applications a day for a full year.
In the past 365 days, I have reviewed ~1000 applications for a half dozen different institutions. A national youth arts organization. A creative consulting company. The state of New York. Regardless of the program, it is easy to spot strong applications from weak ones.
This tip is one that might seem obvious, but many people overlook in crafting an application.
Say what you’ll do when you win the opportunity you are applying.
Lets look at a specific example — focusing on an opportunity that awards $1000.
A strong application will make it clear how a the grant will be applied to the project’s budget.
Compare the following 2 application excerpts that I invented for this post:
I will use the $1000 dollars to present my completed script to an audience, aiming to have it performed this summer, pending additional funds for hiring cast and crew.
VS.
The $1000 dollars will go towards a 3 show weekend production of my original two act play, currently scheduled for July 17-19. I will use the money as follows–
$500: performance fee for lead performer, across all 3 dates
$275: videographer rate for archiving/creating digital assets for future promotion and development
$198: travel stipends for all cast and crew to and from location (6 ~$3 metro cards for 7 performers and 4 crew members)
$27: snacks and refreshments available to cast throughout performance run to support their energy and wellbeing
Additional funding will be provided by ticket sales and a fundraising campaign. Further funds are being pursued via applications to specific funders that have supported similar work as this project.
Which would you choose?
I hope this above example shows the power in getting specific. I created a hypothetical about money, but many applications are about residencies, apprenticeships, and jobs. Being able to express what you’ll do with any opportunity, is important.
Say the obvious thing — because what might be obvious to you just might be exactly what the people on the other side are looking for!