You have just completed the grant application, but need a cover letter. Or, You are starting to prepare a presentation to a gathering of potential donors. Or, you are offering a course in street-smarts. Or, you want to set up a world peace conference. Or, you want them to sign up for your newsletter.

You are facing the dreaded blank page. You know what message you want to convey, but that page is blank.

Don’t panic. Don’t sit there with your mind up and locked. Just put 3 paragraph heads on your page:

Here it is.

Ain’t it great.

However…

Ultimately, you will change these, but this gets you started.

Here it is.

Tell them your proposition. What exactly is it?

“We are pleased to present our application for the BigMoneyBags Foundation Spring Grant Cycle. We are proposing to rebuild 200 flood-damaged houses.”

“We are offering a new course on street-smarts. The course is 6 weeks long, meeting on Wednesday evening.”

Tell them, specifically, what your proposition is. List the major features. Be specific. Tell them what you are going to do.

Ain’t It Great!

Now you can tell them why this is good and why they should agree to your proposition. These are the benefits to the community and, most importantly, to the reader.

“The homeless population will be reduced.”

“Communication with low-income clients will increase.”

“Cancer and the common cold will be cured.”

“World peace will blossom out everywhere.”

“Graffiti and crime will become obsolete words.”

However…

However, there is a downside. The benefits will cost something or there is risk.

“You must award us the grant.”

“You must pay for the course, then buy the books and the attend the course.”

“There is risk that the approach won’t work.”

“The deadline is approaching.”

“Click here to sign up for my newsletter.”

Then you should include the Call to Action.

Remember

This is not your whole document or presentation. This may not even the order you will present these items. This just a way to get past the dreaded blank page.