Brilliant Ideas
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “What if this idea could work?”—you’re in the right place.
This is the podcast where I chat with solopreneurs who’ve taken their ideas from “hmm, what if?” to “wow, look at this!”—and turned them into digital products people trust, understand, and feel excited to buy.
I’m your host, Alyssa Bellisario, Founder of Yes Lab, where I help service-based business owners create offers that feel clear and credible. I find the hidden gaps that are costing you clients—like unclear messaging, trust leaks, buyer psychology blind spots, and design issues, so your offers connect.
Tune in for practical insights on offer clarity, digital products, messaging, and smart strategies to grow without the overwhelm.
Whether you’re starting fresh or ready to rebuild an offer that isn’t working, you’ll find clear steps here to move forward with confidence.
Brilliant Ideas
#39: Inside the Grant Writing Accelerator Course with Nicole Beatty: Why Students Keep Coming Back
Most online courses give students a quick win—and then get forgotten. Nicole Beatty’s Grant Writing Accelerator Course is different. It’s a program students keep coming back to, because it offers more than information. With templates, tools, and a proven formula, the Accelerator becomes a reference point that builds confidence, leadership, and skills that last long after the first lesson.
In this episode of Brilliant Ideas, I sit down with Nicole to go behind the scenes of her course. We talk about why she created the Grant Writing Accelerator, how it evolved from a live program into a self-paced course, and the intentional choices she made to make sure the results stick.
If you’re a course creator, you’ll walk away with practical insight into what makes a program truly transformative—not just in helping students achieve outcomes, but in helping them grow into more confident, capable leaders.
🎧 Tune in to learn how Nicole designed a course that goes beyond quick wins and continues to deliver value every time students log back in.
Get 25% off the Grant Writing Accelerator course
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What if learning to write a grant wasn't just about getting funding, but about building the kind of skills and confidence that help you lead, grow and create impact long after the grant is awarded? Welcome to Brilliant Ideas, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of some of the most inspiring digital products created by solopreneurs just like you. I'm your host, alyssa, a digital product strategist who helps subject matter experts grow their business with online courses, memberships, coaching programs and eBooks. If you're a solopreneur with dreams of packaging your expertise into a profitable digital product, then this is the podcast for you. Expect honest conversations of how they started, the obstacles they overcame, lessons learned the hard way and who face the same fears, doubts and challenges you're experiencing, from unexpected surprises to breakthrough moments and everything in between. Tune in, get inspired and let's spark your next big, brilliant idea.
Alyssa:This week on Brilliant Ideas, I'm joined by Nicole. She is a management consultant, executive coach and creator of the grant writing accelerator how to Write a Proposal in a Day. Nicole talks about what inspired her to create the accelerator, how it evolved from a live program into a self-paced version, and why the program isn't just about writing strong proposals but developing a much more comprehensive skill set. We dig into how she designed the curriculum to go beyond quick wins, so people keep building on what they've learned, even years later. Finally, nicole leaves us with one powerful piece of wisdom for leaders who want to make a lasting impact with the work that they do. If you've ever thought about grant writing, or if you're curious about the nonprofit space, this conversation with Nicole will inspire you to think bigger about what's possible. Let's get started. Welcome to the show, nicole. Thank you so much for being here.
Nicole:I'm really excited to be here. Thanks for the invitation.
Alyssa:I'm really excited to talk about your grant writing accelerator course and for a little backstory to share with all of you listeners. Nicole and I have actually partnered in the past where I helped her build the course itself, so I feel like I've seen firsthand how much thought and strategy went into all of it. But I know that there is a bigger story behind how it came to be, so I want to start there for a second. What inspired you to create the Grant Writing Accelerator course and how did it kind of evolve from a live program into the self-paced version that it is today?
Nicole:Thanks, for that I have found over my 20 years in the sector.
Nicole:I am quite a well-rounded consultant, but the biggest demand has always been on grant work and a lot of money goes into hiring or outsourcing.
Nicole:You know a grant writer and what I was always finding was that investment never really stayed within the organization. So when I put on my capacity building lens I was like what is what's a great way for an organization to invest in itself? And no better way than to teach them how to write their own grants. So trying to convert communication staff or fundraising staff skills into writing and not only that, but a lot of grant work, I see is just trying to respond to a funder's question. Right, these are some great words and very emotional, very philosophical, heavy, and I've had a grant writing formula that has contributed to almost a 90% success rate for me throughout my career. I actually am giving away or not giving away, but the lesson is designed through that proven writing strategy, that writing formula that I use in my own proposal development craft. So it's meant to be a capacity building investment as well, as you know, really taking people through not the grant writing theory but the practical writing phases of developing a grant proposal or how to respond to a grant application.
Alyssa:I love that, and I love that you mentioned that the organization would do this investment. Instead of outsourcing and spending money Again, they're actually reinvesting into their organization so that they can learn how to write a grant. And so this makes me curious what kind of shifts have you seen in people who go through the accelerator course? Like not just like in the ability to get funding, because we all know that that is a huge win in itself, but more about, like the emotional side, like in an organization who learns how to write grants properly, what happens to their confidence, their leadership skills, how they kind of show up in their work.
Nicole:Great question. So three things come to mind when I hear that question. One is I'm definitely hearing from past participants and current clients. Where I may use the program to complement or leverage some other work is that they're really seeing a reduction in their budget allocation on outsourcing for grant writers, fundraisers or communication staff who are taking the course and, you know, have always wanted to excel or increase their writing skills are feeling more confident and they really feel that they're understanding. They can say I'm a grant writer and they are seeing that success through submissions or feedback from funders.
Nicole:And then the third would be the efficiency and the time in being organized and having a ready-to-go product and being able to adapt and shift to the funders' needs. And along with that confidence, what I love hearing the participants say is we know our case for support, we know our pitch, we know what we need funded, and they're pursuing that rather so being more strategic rather than just responding to, oh, this money sounds nice, rather than just responding to, oh, this money sounds nice. So they're feeling empowered and taking that control back in their own grant development process. So to wrap up, I'd say efficiency, a reduction in the budget allocation to outsourcing to funders or sorry, to grant writers, which is great, so that they can keep that into their mission. Funders, or sorry, to grant writers, which is great, so that they can keep that into their mission, and just that confidence and streamlining their overall grant development process. So budget time saving but also increasing the confidence and the morale of the internal staff, which is really my motto when I approach my capacity building work.
Alyssa:No, that's really inspiring and I think it's such an important reminder that funding itself is just one piece of the puzzle, like the real transformation is really in how people grow their skills, their confidence, their ability to keep making an impact, like long after the grant is awarded.
Alyssa:It's those internal skills that they're gaining and then they're keeping for years to come. And that's one thing I kind of really love about your story is that this course isn't just about like a quick win, like it's about something that they're going to continue to use and reference back to for you know how many years. And it's a course that doesn't just you know, they finish it and then that's it. And most courses are like that when, yeah, they're great, they give you the quick win, you apply it, but then you know you don't really go back to it. It just kind of sits there, you've paid for it and it's just kind of like we don't really, we only use this one time. But your course seems to evolve and it also seems to be that one thing that they will continue to use. So my question is like how did you come up with the curriculum to make sure that the results stick and that they're going to be using this for many years, not just a one time thing.
Nicole:Yeah, Thanks for reflecting on my last answer, because one thing I should then also tease out is it's not only that first phase, which is writing the grant and then submitting it, but the great thing about when the in-house staff are also writing the grant, they also have to write the impact report or follow the funder or the opportunity for renewal. So again, that just helps with the overall development continuum within the organization. So the proven what I love about this course I have to admit a lot of this came through your advisement. You know we spent a lot of time strategizing, going through the learner's experience, and I said to you I just don't want to be another talking head talking about grant writing theory, and so you actually inspired me to okay, well, what's your formula? And I said to you I just don't want to be another talking head talking about grant writing theory, and so you actually inspired me to okay, well, what's your formula? And I realized that I had all these templates and tools that I've either used with clients or I myself have just designed for my own writing. And so that's what came from.
Nicole:I actually think is the anchor part of the course, is the impact builder tool of the course, is the impact builder tool. So it's quite a detailed worksheet that really breaks down each component of a typical grant application, and so it helps the learner. And the module then is reflected on that writing process. So you're not sitting down and trying to write an application all at once. We're taking you component by component. You are seeing how it's written along the way and at the end of each micro module within the course, you're left with the draft positioning for that part of the application. So you're writing as you go, not just learning and taking notes.
Nicole:You know, the idea is that if you're taking this course, you understand great writing and the grant writing theory, you have a project that you're taking this course, you understand great writing and the grant writing theory, you have a project that you're ready to work on and we take you through each module and your writing as you go. And what I love and again this is Leslie, you inspired me to do this is one of the first times in my courses or in my teachings where I'm actually pulling back the curtain and I'm sharing examples, real life examples from winning proposals. So again, just to help expedite that drafting process, so that the writer can understand, here's a great example of what a funder is looking for when you're answering this question.
Alyssa:No, I love that and it really shows how the real value of the course isn't just about the grants but giving them the tools. And what I found that I loved about your course and that we worked on together is that it was the examples. It was the real life examples, but then also it was like the templates that they could follow, it was like the scripts, it was the frameworks. You know, it's not just something that you watch. You weren't just a talking head. I mean, there is talking head videos to guide every learner to like the next stage, but it wasn't just a video and then click Like.
Alyssa:I just recently invested in um, like a CapCut course, for example, and you know I really wanted to learn like the video editing for Instagram, and when I logged in, it was her just talking and that's it.
Alyssa:There was no transcript, there was no framework, there was no um, any kind of examples, and I felt so like something was missing from this and I didn't think it was like Ooh, the value. I'm not sure about that because you know they didn't really, she didn't really provide enough information for me to actually like go and learn and do it, whereas this one is like it's an all in one, you have everything you need within that course in order to be successful. So that's where I found, um, that your course is very different than a lot of the other courses out there that are only thinking like, oh, let me just like film this video and they'll figure it out. You've really like you hold their hand throughout the entire course, so you know if they're doing this, whether it is live or self-paced, I mean, even if it is just self-paced, they have everything they need, which is very different.
Alyssa:So now, before we wrap up, I'd love to leave our listeners with something that they can take away and apply right now. So if there is an organization or a business out there that is listening right now, that is interested in grant writing or wants to learn the skills of grant writing and maybe have their own initiatives that they're trying to reach out to or to have Sorry, let me do that again. Sorry, mike. One second, okay. So before we wrap up, I'd love to leave our listeners with something they can take away and apply right now. What is one piece of advice or wisdom that you can share with a business or an entrepreneur who has a or is interested in grant writing or wants to make a bigger impact with their work and their audiences? What would you like to share with them?
Nicole:I love that question because that's where my head was at when I was working with you on designing this course, my approach to the grant writing accelerator. It's completely different than what I'm used to do in the past and so, reflecting on that lived experience, to answer your question, there's that readiness factor, just not jumping in and being ready to write or making your pitch up as you go there is a lot of things. Have that preparation or that readiness phase. What's your product or what program are you taking to market or are you going to present in front of the funder? What's the level of alignment? Do you have those outcomes and evaluation methodology already in existence? What's your budget? What's your work plan? All aspects that we dive into in the course. And I say all this like really looking at that continuum of the project or the continuum of the idea.
Nicole:The one thing a grant writer in particular, or a social entrepreneur should never get into a web of doing is responding or making up something just to satisfy a funder or a potential partner. You know there's empowerment in the work that we do because we are tasked with implementing and funding a project or a program or a capital project. That's advancing our organizational mandate. Our board has mandated this priority, so we are our own experts. Sometimes we give that expertise away to the funder, thinking that the funder dictates the work that we do, but what the funders really want to see is understanding, taking them through the blueprint of the work that you do do and are you going to be good stewards of their investment.
Nicole:So I can't emphasize enough that readiness or that preparation phase and really understanding what is your priority project, what is the alignment with eligibility criteria, and then making sure that you have your own outcomes, evaluation, work plan and budget put together.
Nicole:Because then you wrap that all up into kind of that full product or that full ask or that full package, rather than, hey, this sounds like a great opportunity, and working backwards from that, because then you're really making something up and then should you get that investment or that really great partnership, are you then able to sustain that right? Because when a transfer payment agreement comes through or a funding contribution comes through, you need to be able to look at that in confidence and say or a funding contribution comes through, you need to be able to look at that in confidence and say, well, we pitched that Like we actually realized that, so don't give away that empowerment and that expertise. You are the expert. Sometimes we all need a little bit of advice or a learning opportunity to sharpen our skills or to understand a formula or a strategy that works. But essentially, organize, prepare and be ready before you make, click that submit button or make that leap into a partnership.
Alyssa:Amazing. That is really great advice and something to sit and reflect on, because there are a lot of factors like the prep and the readiness, the level of alignment, and so that is something that is in your course, the level of alignment, and so that is something that is in your course, try to always come full circle, but I think you can take that those principles.
Nicole:You know I do that, whether I'm, you know, writing policy for something else, or if I'm working on an organization registration, or if I'm looking at, you know, entering into a member understanding with another community partnership, you know you really need to be driven by answering that question, that curious question of how can we deliver on this. So, you know, in such a responsive and fast paced world, we jump all of that preparation work and we explore this in the course. You know, if you take the time and invest in that readiness, your efficiency and getting funded faster, your performance and productivity is going to benefit from that Definitely.
Alyssa:Now I know that there's going to be listeners that are going to be thinking well, okay, so I need to get all of these maybe prepared, or to think, or maybe they need to take the next step, um, and they would want to connect with you and maybe even work with you, take your course, um, because these are all really great things that I think, um, that are first in the course, but also that they need to do the prep work in beforehand to make sure that this is a good investment for the organization, their business and you know whatever they're doing. And so where, would you say the best place is to find this course, also to connect with you personally, and where can they find you online?
Nicole:Excellent, Capacityforcommunitycom is my website. You can book. I always encourage people to start with a complimentary consultation, regardless of what their needs are. I've done a few consult calls where I've actually taken people through a behind the scenes tour of the course and I just find that people deserve the right to understand and see what they're investing in and this just isn't a static self-paced course. You know I have integrated this in other consulting and coaching programs. A lot of people will go and do it self-paced and then re-engage with me to kind of do a review and edit of a final proposal. I can do some live wraparound coaching with the course, but the course and all those additional features and ways to engage are all on capacityforacademycom. You just click on the Get Funded Faster button and it will redirect you to the course page and has all the details there.
Alyssa:Awesome. Well, thank you so much, Nicole, for coming on the show today and sharing such valuable insights with us. I know this conversation is going to be really helpful for anyone curious about grant writing or looking for ways to strengthen the work that they're already doing, and so for everyone listening. Thank you for tuning in. Thank you, Nicole, for coming on the show.
Nicole:Thank you so much, really appreciate it.
Alyssa:And if you love this episode, send me a message on Instagram at yeslabca, and let me know the one thing that Nicole shared today that really stood out to you. Thanks for listening and I'll see you next time with more brilliant ideas to inspire your business. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Brilliant Ideas. If you love the show, be sure to leave a review and follow me on Instagram for even more insider tips and inspiration. Ready to bring your next big, brilliant idea to life? Visit AlyssaVelsercom for resources, guidance and everything you need to start creating something amazing.