How to Become a Grant Writing Consultant

What’s changed from the first edition of this book? More chapters! Clearly defined “how to” steps! Tons of updated resources and Websites! Guidance in self-publishing, developing a newsletter, developing workshops and becoming a presenter! Information about interning with Dr. Bev and the importance of networking with other grant professionals and continuing education! In the first book, I assumed anyone purchasing the book would be an experienced grant writer. However, ongoing feedback from book readers helped me to realize that many purchasers of the book had no experience in writing grant proposals. In this second edition of How to Become a Grant Writing Consultant, I begin in Chapter 1 with How to Learn the Process of Grant Writing and guide non-grant writers with some basic definitions and point you to Websites and books (yes, I always endorse my own books) to learn the process of grant writing. You can find books by other authors on your own. Once you learn the process of how to write grant proposals, in Chapter 2, I help you understand the steps it takes to transition from being an employee (a grant writer for someone else) to starting your own home-based grant writing consulting business. In Chapter 3, you will learn how to structure your new consulting business. Chapter 4 guides you through the basics of logistically setting up a new business in your home environment. In Chapter 5, I give you a menu of possible services to offer prospective clients and discuss cash flow strategies. Chapter 6 covers the most important information, how to set your fees! If you’re wondering how to develop your first business contract and other handy templates, Chapter 7 covers these critical new business essentials. In Chapter 8, you will learn how to develop marketing tools or documents to promote your new business services. Worried about how to find clients, Chapter 9 shows you how to find potential clients. Once you have landed your first contract, Chapter 10 guides you on how and where to start with a new client. In Chapter 11, I tell you how to become an expert, building a track record and using my age-old formula for determining your funding success rate—a critical marketing tool. Chapter 12 gives you the “inside scoop” on how to manage multiple projects—to increase your cash flow. If you follow all of my advice in the first 12 chapters, you will surely need Chapter 13 where I tell you how to expand your business and staff (hire others to help you). In Chapter 14, I talk opening and honestly with you about how to self-publish—what it takes to write and publish your own books. A lot of criticism in my first “How To” book came from readers who had no clue on how to start their own newsletter. Well, in Chapter 15, I give you Websites and insider clues on how to determine your target readers and setup your own newsletter. In Chapter 16, I share with you how to develop workshop titles, create curriculum, and find opportunities to present—for pay! In Chapter 17, I give you an overview of my tuition-based internship program and tell you how to become one of my coveted and well-trained interns, whether you need my mentoring in writing more winning grant proposals or in starting up your new grant writing consulting business, I CAN help you! In my last chapter, Chapter 18, I talk to you about the importance of networking with other grant professionals and share experiences from my own professional affiliations. This book is not a rewrite of my first edition, it’s an entirely new book—with fresh ideas, timely tips, and lots of virtual “hand holding” to start you on the road to professional fulfillment and financial success! One final word, my intent in this book is not to tell you the “only” way or the “best way”, but rather to present general information and allow you to make your own decisions for your new business. The approach I want you to take when reading this Second Edition is to: Read