A monthly series to help you grow your expertise, use the platform to its utmost potential, and ultimately improve your programs.
This post was originally published in April 2024
Submittable recently released some highly anticipated enhancements to Draft Submissions!
In case you missed it, you now have visibility into who your draft submitters are, the content of their drafts, AND access to email templates. Check out this new blog, Introducing Enhanced Draft Submissions, to learn more.
Good news, this new functionality is readily available in your account under More > Draft Submissions tab. Don’t forget to visit our Help Center for more information!
Now that you have the ability to support applicants with their in-progress submissions, let’s dive in and discuss how this latest enhancement can support your past, current, and future programs.
Increase quality submissions with these best practices
To help you get started, check out these key examples of how program administrators like you are using Draft Submissions.
- Iterative application improvement:
Identify common points of applicant hesitation or dropout before the applicant abandons your application! By identifying where applicants tend to drop off, you can learn how you might make changes that will help ensure success, such as revising the wording or ultimately removing a specific question or making it optional.
- Identify and remove application bottlenecks:
Similar to improving your applicant’s submission success, Draft Submissions also give you the tools to identify bottlenecks in the application process. Consider how moving document upload requests or banking information from the initial application to an Additional Form may allow the applicant to complete their initial application more quickly and efficiently, reducing frustration and improving their overall experience.
- Enhance strategic communication:
Program administrators now have greater opportunities to communicate with any individual who engages with your application–even before they submit. Even better, you can now do so individually or in bulk leveraging a newly available email template. Utilize templates to send personalized bulk reminders about deadlines, or even offer guidance to encourage a successful submission. Or, engage in individualized support when you identify an applicant who might benefit from your outreach.
- Improve applicant-focused support:
Since you can view draft submissions in close to real time, you’ll be more equipped to engage with applicants that reach out to you with questions regarding your program.
- Better for your applicants, too:
As an added benefit, your applicants now have the ability to autonomously review and manage their own draft submissions past program deadlines. To support your applicants with any questions about this change, you can direct them to this Help Article.
See Draft Submissions in action
This new Draft Submissions enhancement provides program administrators and applicants a greater opportunity to foster strong relationships in a whole new way. Experience the difference for yourself, and see how your program can take action on any of these best practices, today!
Sam is Submittable's Product Marketer focused on Foundations, Non-Profits, and organizations that distribute grants or awards. She is passionate about helping organizations of any size to measure their impact and scale their programs with the platform. When not at work you can catch her in the mountains of Montana with her golden retrievers.