How to write a compelling story

Hello I’m Nina Ahmad and I’m a freelance writer, and I’ve worked as an editor and a journalist across a range of national magazines and newspapers for the past two decades.

I’m working with the Aviva Community Fund to share some tips on how to write a compelling entry. I hope this advice will enable you to share your story and get across the passion and enthusiasm you feel for your charity or community project, while not forgetting the fundamental point of why you need this funding and how it will benefit your cause.

Here’s my advice on how to write an entry that will hopefully make you stand out:

1. Make a start on your entry by determining your focus. To do this, ask yourself three questions: Why does your project need funding? Why does it specifically need funding now? And why does it need this level of support? Structure your answer around these questions and that way you’ll give as much information to the reader as possible to enable them to make an informed decision about who to vote for.

2. As well as the facts, you’ll want to get across the energy, passion and enthusiasm you feel about your community project or charity. You can do this by using personal stories and anecdotes. Include the story behind your charity and stories of people that it has helped. This is your chance to really paint a picture for the reader so that they can empathise with you and really understand what this project means to you and the benefits that funding will give.

3. Try to convey the facts clearly and accurately. Avoid using long paragraphs that are loaded with information. Try to be as concise as possible. Using short sentences will help you with this. The more you condense your information, the easier it is for a reader to take in all the information.

4. Trust your instincts and be bold about asking for funding. Share the impact of the results. The more the reader can see tangible results, the more it will help you garner support. 

5. Finally, make the most of this experience. Writing a clear and focused entry will always help. Whatever the outcome, you can always use it for future PR and to help recruit members and volunteers. 

I hope these tips have helped because funding opportunities are really important. Good luck with your entry and I look forward to reading lots of them in the coming weeks.