Members of a self-helf group in India. Photo source: mckaysavage. Click on the photo to read the Note!

Submit a Note From the Field Highlighting Your Project!
www.microlinks.org/noteguidelines

Notes From the Field are a monthly feature on microLINKS, highlighting successful microfinance and microenterprise development projects around the world while providing readers with concrete examples of best practices and lessons learned. Notes are publicized on microLINKS’ homepage, as well in the Connections eNewsletter, which is sent to a global audience of six thousand USAID mission staff, industry practitioners and experts each month. Notes From the Field are consistently one of the top-viewed pieces in the newsletter.

The Notes editor, Lindsay Levin, is available to assist with story development, writing and editing. Contact her now to express your interest in developing a Note and find out where your submission might fit into the upcoming pipeline.

Here are some key guidelines for developing a successful Note:

• Keep your Note between 700-1000 words in length.
• Use straightforward language, and strive to incorporate the human interest aspects of a project. Notes should sound more like an individual recounting a story about a project, rather than a press release.
• Incorporate details of the project or activity including who, what, when, where, and why. To help summarize the project, consider providing specific details on one or two individuals or groups who benefited from the project.
• Incorporate one or two quotes from beneficiaries or anyone else involved in the project to add context and credibility.
• Provide thorough details on the particular challenges faced, how you approached these issues, and what worked or didn’t work. Most importantly, describe the specific lessons learned of your project. Readers of Notes From the Field consistently tell microLINKS that Notes that contain lessons learned and best practices are the most valuable and helpful to them.  Readers also have said they are interested in hearing about projects that are replicable, scalable and sustainable. What are the key pieces of knowledge that can you share with other practioners who are looking to replicate your approach?
• Explain how you measured success for your project. Where possible, include indicators, statistics and measurable outcomes.
• Provide at least one high resolution photograph (.jpg format), preferably of a client or clients engaged in an activity, e.g. selling produce, exchanging goods, creating or producing something.
• The Notes editor will format your story, please simply submit a clean Word document and your .jpg photos.

Click here to access a PowerPoint training that provides additional guidelines for developing a good success story. To see the how well-written Notes might be structured, please click to view Sample 1 - Zambia, Sample 2 - Cambodia, and Sample 3 - Mexico.

Questions or comments? E-mail the editor at notes@microlinks.org.

Presentation

Writing Notes From the Field: Training, Tips, and Examples      Notes_Training_2010.pdf

Documents

Notes From the Field Sample - Cambodia    Notes_Sample_Cambodia.pdf     Publication Date   03/2007      
Notes From the Field Sample - Mexico    Notes_Sample_Mexico.pdf     Publication Date   10/2009      
Notes From the Field Sample - Zambia    Notes_Sample_Zambia.pdf     Publication Date   4/2009