As the Dec. 1 deadline for the Knight News Challenge approaches, we've asked past winners to offer their best application tips.

Here winner Aaron Presnall, who created a set of data visualization with challenge funds, offers three tips - including on how to - and how not to - focus your idea.

Knight News Challenge Tips from Aaron Presnall from Jefferson Institute on Vimeo.

If you have questions about the challenge, participate in a Live Chat at 1:30 p.m. EST this Thursday 'at NewsChallenge.org.