Pitching Tips for The Content is Queen Micro-Grants

Dec 19th

As we come to the end of the year, it’s exciting once again to see the Micro-Grants for Podcasters Programme open for applications. The Micro-Grants programme has been running for four years now, and it is a unique initiative offering both monetary and production support to creators here in the UK and around the globe.

Thanks to the support from Audible, this grant asks podcasters to pitch ideas based on their creativity and potential impact to the communities they are aimed at – the type of ideas that might not find a home elsewhere as podcasting becomes evermore commercially -focused. The research and development phase of creating podcasts is something that independent podcasters so rarely get support with, so it is no surprise that each year the number of Micro-Grant applications grows.

To help you with your pitch, we offer you this article in three parts: first we share some insights from previous grant recipients; next there are some tips from our Content is Queen team about the new application process via Marketplace, and lastly you can find a playlist of inspirational episodes from previous recipients.

We hope it helps you with your application and can’t wait to read your ideas!

Insights From Previous Recipients

We asked two Micro-Grant 2023 recipients three questions to learn more about their thoughts on the process. Katie Stokes asked for support to develop a new show idea, Wandering Spirit, where ghosts and magic lie on the other side of belief. Meanwhile Renee Kapuku is one half of the duo behind To My Sisters, who wanted to offer their listeners a different type of episode on their current podcast. Here’s what they each wanted to share:

CIQ: The Micro-Grants offer monetary and production support — what elements of your project benefitted the most from the grant?

KATIE: My podcast, Wandering Spirit, was a seedling of an idea and it hugely benefited from both the production and monetary support. The wonderful Amber Miller [Content is Queen’s Studio and Production Manager] was a supportive and instrumental editor, helping me develop and narrow down my idea. She gave constructive and useful feedback, helped me stay on track, realise and deliver my pilot.

I used the monetary support to hire a composer to create original music. Because my podcast is grounded in a specific culture, it was really important to find and work with the right composer who understood the intricacies of the music and instruments.

And then there was the support I hadn’t even thought of asking for, like studio space, legal and contract advice, pitching advice – Content is Queen were superstars in making sure my idea was nurtured and cared for.

RENEE: The grant was instrumental in enabling us to hire and outsource production help for the mini-series of our podcast, To My Sisters: From the Brothers and Fathers. This support allowed us to elevate the quality of the series and focus on the creative aspects, knowing the technical side was in expert hands.

CIQ: If you hadn’t pitched to Micro-Grants, what do you think you would have done with the idea?

KATIE: I think the idea would have just mulled in my head for a while longer. Being awarded the grant was not just validating for my pitch but also to know that someone else believed in my story of oral histories, cultural heritage and the very real experiences of people in Malaysia – that those things were valuable and exciting enough to be shared. Also, the reality is that the act of pitching personal stories is very scary, let alone pitching then losing the IP [intellectual property]. This grant is unique because it is a supporter and champion of indie creators.

RENEE: If I hadn’t pitched the idea for From The Brothers and Fathers to CiQ, it’s likely that it would have remained on the back burner for much longer! The Micro-Grant gave us the resources to bring the idea to life in a way we might not have managed on our own. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see it come to fruition and we’ve had such great feedback from our listeners.

CIQ: As a grant recipient, would you give any advice to people applying this year?

KATIE: I can’t speak to what exactly Content is Queen and Audible are looking for, but from my own experience I would encourage people to be bold and really back their stories. The closer the idea is to your heart, the more passion and excitement comes through when you talk about it and share it. This grant is so special because of the real range of stories that are produced – nothing is too niche, nothing is too different. I’d also encourage applicants to practise talking about their idea to as many people as possible. The more you talk about it, the more you’ll refine it, get people’s reactions and find the logline that really hits home.

RENEE: My advice would be to really hone in on the impact of your idea—what change or story are you trying to bring to the world, and why does it matter? Also, be authentic in your pitch; the passion and purpose behind your project are just as important as the logistics.

How To Apply Via Marketplace

For the first time, the grant process is via Content is Queen’s new Marketplace – the community and platform where creators, advertisers, and commissioners converge to redefine the audio industry. The Marketplace is a new offer from Content is Queen, and this has been a great way to introduce Creators to the platform. We wanted to make the Micro-Grant pitching process as easy as possible, so by creating a profile on the Marketplace, you can showcase your previous work and credits easily.

As this is a new platform, and a different way of pitching your Micro-Grant idea, here are some pointers:

  • Apply in 3 steps: Sign up to the Marketplace, set up your profile and then submit your pitch under the ‘opportunities’ tab. That’s it! We only need a few sentences for your pitch, as all the rest of the information we need will be in your profile.

  • Complete your profile as fully as possible. In the ‘Edit Your Profile’ section of the settings, make sure you give as much information as you can. Use your Bio paragraph to highlight any relevant or transferable skills in eg. community building or what you’ve worked on before. You can add up to six different episodes and tell us your role in creating the audio.

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  • Explain your idea in an elevator pitch. We want you to practise explaining your idea quickly, so unlike previous years, we are specifically asking for clear and succinct pitching. Keep it tight and don’t go over the 3-5 sentences. There is no specific word count but try to keep it under 100 words.
  • Choose your best idea. We know you have loads of ideas, but no multiple entries please! Pick one idea for a captivating trailer, an original pilot, or a standout episode for an existing series – whatever your best idea is.
  • No edits or amends after the submission! Once you have sent your proposal, it’s not possible to amend it. (For that reason we recommend editing in a Google doc first then copying over). You will be able to see your application in Marketplace but we are unable to provide you with copies of your application.

  • The Marketplace is still in BETA. Marketplace is a new platform, and this is the biggest test we’ve given it so far, so we’re fine-tuning things as we go. If you’ve experienced difficulties or any technical issue, please use the ‘report problem’ function if it appears and this will go to our development team. Otherwise you can try:

 

    • Clearing the cache on your browser – this will reboot the app
    • Login at a quieter time. The Micro-Grants scheme is very popular this year and there are more new profiles than we expected! We’re increasing the bandwidth but if you have had issues, do try again later.
    • If you are still having issues, send us an email to studio@contentisqueen.org and we’ll look into it!

 

  • Check the FAQs and don’t leave it to the last minute! Make sure you sign-up to Marketplace, set up your profile and submit your pitch as early as possible. Content is Queen HQ is closed from 21st December to 6th Jan, and whilst we’ll be monitoring the platform and inbox intermittently, you don’t want to be stressed at the last minute. You’ll find all the information you need on how to apply in our FAQs and Instagram live, as well as this article so please do read through everything first – we’ll do our best to respond to any urgent enquiries.

Listen to these podcasts for inspiration

If you’re looking for more inspiration for your Micro-Grant pitch, listen to our playlist of shows that have been supported in the past.

We hope this has been helpful for you. You can find answers to many other frequently asked questions over on our Micro-Grants FAQs page. Ready to apply now? Head to Marketplace! The deadline is 17th January 2025 at 6PM but get it in as early as you can. We can’t wait to read your ideas, and GOOD LUCK!