how to become a grant writing consultant
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Want to learn how I work for my self as a grant writing consultant?TRANSCRIPT
How to Become a Grant Consultant
Betsy Bakerwww.YourGrantAuthority.com
A Little About Me
• I’m a grant writing consultant and also run YourGrantAuthority.com, a place for nonprofit grant writers to learn how to win more grants and a place for grant writing consultants to learn how to win more clients.
Here’s WHY I Became a Grant Writing Consultant
• Worked in nonprofit since 1994
• Never thought about NOT going back to work after baby
• But baby was a long time coming!
If you don’t like how things are, change it. You’re not a tree. Jim Rohn
• What’s holding you back?
• Making it happen– Money– Time– Effort
One Touchy Subject: Money!!
• Be practical• Be realistic• Don’t use anyone else’s
yardstick for success• What does success look
like for YOU?
Find the Time to Grow Your Business
• Are you willing to sacrifice your time?– Should more “pleasure”
activities be temporarily put on hold?
• Finding pockets of time– Early in the morning– On the way to work
(public commute)– Late at night
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint! Keep Up the Pace…
• Effort – slow and steady wins the race– Grant writing skills– Public presentation skills– Online/computer skills
• Work on your weaker areas
Boring, Yucky Legal Stuff
• Types of incorporation– Sole Proprietorship– Partnership– Corporation– Limited Liability
Corporation
• Other practical considerations– City license– Employer Identification
Number
Sell Yourself!
• For new grant writers with limited experience– Research– Gather information– Letters of Intent– Corporate Letter Requests
• For grant writers with more experience– All of Above– Writing Grant Applications– Proposal Review– Hourly Consulting
How to Determine Your Fees
• What are other professionals in your area charging per hour?
• What are nonprofit development executives paid in your area?
• www.OpportunityKnocks.org
• www.salary.com• “grant writer”• Other consultants• Pay attention to your area
Calculating Fees Based on Your Level of Experience – A Handy Guide
Service Provided Beginner/ Intermediate
($25,000-$250,000)
Experienced($250,000 – less than $3
million)
Rock Star($3 million +)
Hourly Consulting $25-$50 $50-$100 $100-$250
Letters of Inquiry (At least 10) $150 $250 $550
Corporate/Foundation Letter Requests (At least 10)
$750 $1,000 $2,000
Full Foundation Application $500 $1,500 $3,000
Proposal Review $25-$50 per hour $50-$100 per hour
$100 - $250 per hour
That Sweet Retainer Agreement• Option 1– Charge client $75
per hour for research, inquiry letters, writing, rewrites, etc.
– Estimate 52 hours per month to complete type of work they want
– Total job = $3,900
– Option 2– Charge a monthly
retainer @$2,600. That is a reduced rate for the same number of hours per month but you’re guaranteed consistent income.
– Have a 6-12 month minimum contract
Introduce Yourself to the World
• Your website is your gateway– Gives potential clients a
place to check you out– Gives you a face and
personality– Include samples of your
writing style with your BLOG
– Include a professional photo– I recommend a WordPress
website!
How to Draw Potential Clients to You
Online – How to Drive Traffic to Your Site
• Blogging– Blog on topics of interest to
your potential clients– Shows off your expertise
• Participation in online communities– Forum at
www.ForGrantWritersOnly.com
– Charity Channel– YourGrantAuthority.com/
ConsultantsSignup– Social media
Quickie Primer on How to Effectively Use Social Media
• Twitter– Connect with nonprofits,
grant makers, nonprofit news sources
– Tweet content that helps your primary grant seeking audience
• LinkedIn– GROUPS!!!
Offline Marketing Strategies
• Local chapter of AFP• Chamber of Commerce• Nonprofit boards• Conference
booth/workshops• Hold your own
workshop
Cool Tools to Help You Keep Up With It All
• For keeping up with grant deadlines: Amplifund
PhilanTech• For keeping up with
clients:BasecampGoogle Docs
• For keeping up with your $$$$:– Freshbooks
Join Our Consultant Community on Facebook for Ongoing Support
Your Grant Authority's Grant Writing & Nonprofit Consultant's Group
Ask to join by emailing me [email protected]
Finally, A Few Words of Encouragement
• Do NOT feel intimidated just because other grant writing consultants exist
• You do NOT need a special degree, certification or a significant record of achievement
• You get hired because you’re taking it off someone’s plate
Thank You!Let’s Stay in Touch.
• Twitter - @GrantWritersAid
• LinkedIn/betsyjbaker• Join my Facebook group
“Your Grant Authority's Grant Writing & Nonprofit Consultant's Group”
• Email me at [email protected]