Comments on: How to Write a “Juicy” Nonprofit Blog — or a Blog of Any Kind http://blog.seliger.com/2010/07/17/how-to-write-a-juicy-nonprofit-blog-or-a-blog-of-any-kind/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:29:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: How to Write About Grant Writing and How to Learn About Grant Writing Via Blogging http://blog.seliger.com/2010/07/17/how-to-write-a-juicy-nonprofit-blog-or-a-blog-of-any-kind/comment-page-1/#comment-21687 How to Write About Grant Writing and How to Learn About Grant Writing Via Blogging Mon, 11 Oct 2010 02:35:02 +0000 http://blog.seliger.com/?p=668#comment-21687 [...] Most grant writing blogs aren’t interesting or informative, and I wish more were. But this also creates an opportunity for us: we’re more personable than others and slide into spaces left by less interesting bloggers. There aren’t many (good) grant writing blogs, since most of them don’t do the kinds of things we talk about in “How to Write a “Juicy” Nonprofit Blog — or a Blog of Any Kind.” [...] [...] Most grant writing blogs aren’t interesting or informative, and I wish more were. But this also creates an opportunity for us: we’re more personable than others and slide into spaces left by less interesting bloggers. There aren’t many (good) grant writing blogs, since most of them don’t do the kinds of things we talk about in “How to Write a “Juicy” Nonprofit Blog — or a Blog of Any Kind.” [...]

]]> By: Elizabeth http://blog.seliger.com/2010/07/17/how-to-write-a-juicy-nonprofit-blog-or-a-blog-of-any-kind/comment-page-1/#comment-20313 Elizabeth Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:33:46 +0000 http://blog.seliger.com/?p=668#comment-20313 This is something I have noticed too. My thinking on this is that most grant writers are working too hard to spend time on a blog - if they are good at grant writing. Except for yours -which responds actively to national and state level grants- most blogs on grant writing are the least effective way to use my time. Googling for research, looking through other online research sources and looking myself is a faster way to get information needed. I do think grant writers are a rare breed. I rarely find writers who can survive the combination of hellish deadlines, undying misunderstanding from non-profit program staff and leadership, and the inability to understand the complexity of what we do day to day. (IE, we often get "just use old writing, I know you guys must have some stuff we could use again..." alot from program staff, who have no idea what the actual process involves.) It seems to me that most grant writers are in high demand enough to not be highly visible in the blog-o-sphere unless they are on the public speaking track, and not really writing grants at all. The only caveat to this is some of the younger bloggers who are tackling interesting aspects of giving by different generations, or other areas of fund raising. And of course - yours - don't stop! We need you guys! But it is true, most grant blogs are what you say - "Five easy ways to start your grant application", and they usually end with "And Keep Trying! You won't get a grant on your first try! Grant writing takes time and practice!" I think most people who attempt this field don't get far beyond the starting gates before they head to a pr career or something easier and less intense with a higher earning potential. This is something I have noticed too. My thinking on this is that most grant writers are working too hard to spend time on a blog – if they are good at grant writing. Except for yours -which responds actively to national and state level grants- most blogs on grant writing are the least effective way to use my time. Googling for research, looking through other online research sources and looking myself is a faster way to get information needed.

I do think grant writers are a rare breed. I rarely find writers who can survive the combination of hellish deadlines, undying misunderstanding from non-profit program staff and leadership, and the inability to understand the complexity of what we do day to day. (IE, we often get “just use old writing, I know you guys must have some stuff we could use again…” alot from program staff, who have no idea what the actual process involves.)

It seems to me that most grant writers are in high demand enough to not be highly visible in the blog-o-sphere unless they are on the public speaking track, and not really writing grants at all. The only caveat to this is some of the younger bloggers who are tackling interesting aspects of giving by different generations, or other areas of fund raising. And of course – yours – don’t stop! We need you guys!

But it is true, most grant blogs are what you say – “Five easy ways to start your grant application”, and they usually end with “And Keep Trying! You won’t get a grant on your first try! Grant writing takes time and practice!” I think most people who attempt this field don’t get far beyond the starting gates before they head to a pr career or something easier and less intense with a higher earning potential.

]]>