Contests & Grant Apps: Who’s Your Audience?

Two experiments are running in the GU Clubhouse, each with the goal of developing an extra income stream and getting some new lines on our creative CVs. Our grant experiment started in September 2024 and we began entering writing contests in October 2025. Both are ongoing.Both have had “mixed” results (aka no money earned, but many lessons learned).In this segment, we discuss the key takeaways in terms of work required, return on this investment, and the importance of understanding your “audience”--grant boards, contest judges, and ultimately, the readership they serve.Finally, we announce the launch of our third experiment, which we delusionally hope will have better results.Questions for Listeners:* How’s YOUR grant and contest history? Made any money? Seen other benefits?* What have you learned from applying for grants and entering contests?* Or if you’ve never applied or entered, can you say why not?Buy us a Coffee and Win a BookHere in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 20 coffee angels will get a free guide!For Further Exploration:Written Reports on The Grant Experiment: https://giftedunderachievers.substack.com/p/written-reports-on-the-grant-experimentPrevious podcast segments on grant and contest experiments:03-Apr-2603-Apr-2612-Mar-2612-Feb-2605-Feb-2608-Jan-2608-Jan-2618-Dec-2512-Nov-2529-Oct-2517-Sep-2504-Sep-2524-Jul-2506-Jun-2506-Jun-2522-May-2515-May-2507-May-2517-Apr-2502-Apr-2505-Mar-2520-Feb-2517-Jan-2523-Dec-2419-Dec-2412-Dec-2429-Sep-2429-Sep-2408-Sep-24If you’re not already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse. Free, no spam, unsubscribe any time.Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com