The Basics
Many people dream of selling their poetry to the public, but for most, achieving this aim can be a daunting prospect. To begin with, selling your poetry involves more than just writing it – you must also develop a strategy for marketing your work, building an audience, and making potential customers aware of what you offer.
Successful poets have typically cultivated a detailed understanding of the publishing industry and the market itself. You’ll need to do the same if you want to see your poetry sold successfully. Begin by getting familiar with the different kinds of poetry magazines and their likely readership, and any relevant online platforms.
Although it may seem like a difficult undertaking, there are a few standout strategies you can use to ensure your poetry stands the greatest chance of being discovered.
Create Quality Work
The first and most critical step in selling your poetry is, obviously, to write the best poetry you can. Quality is key, as it will be the most compelling asset for your work when it comes to marketing and readers.
Developing your own unique voice and writing style is an essential part of this. Take the time to think about the type of work you want to create and the message you want your readers to take away from it.
Experiment with different writing techniques and publications that appeal to your style of writing. Read widely and take note of the type of language, imagery and techniques that draw your attention.
Get Feedback
Feedback on your work can be invaluable in helping you to improve and hone your writing. Ask your family and friends what they think of your writing and take the time to listen to their thoughts openly.
You can also join a creative writing class or a writing group to get constructive feedback from peers and mentors. Organisations like Writing.ie can help you find courses and professionals who may be able to provide feedback and guidance.
Taking the time to develop as a writer can make your work stand out from the crowd, and if you’re serious about selling your poetry it’s worth the effort.
Research Markets
Once you’ve invested time in improving and refining your creativity, take the time to research the different markets you might want to sell your work to.
Most poetry magazines now have an online presence, and many of them are open to unsolicited submissions. Research the type of work they’re looking for and consider aligning your work to their guidelines or focus areas.
You can also research open mic nights and other performance opportunities that might be interested in showcasing your work. Keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the poetry scene and be sure to get in touch with the organisers to express your interest.
Start A Platform
In this day and age, having an online presence is vital for starting any business or enterprise. As a poet, you should consider setting up an online blog, or even a professional website, to showcase your work and increase your visibility. This can help you to build up an audience and a community of people interested in your writing.
Social media is another great tool for getting your work out there. Consider setting up an account on Twitter, Instagram or any other platform that might draw a potential readership. You can use these platforms as a platform to give snippets of your poetry, share images or writing advice. Promote your work and encourage people to visit your online presence.
Publish And Sell
If you want to make money from selling your poetry, you’ll need to make sure you’re selling it. For this, you’ll need to create and market your own publications — either as a physical book or a digital ebook. Consider taking it one step further and create limited edition prints of your work.
Make sure you’re clear on any copyright and publishing laws in your local area and investigate the different printing and publishing options available to you. Take the time to do your research, plan and budget carefully so you can be sure your poetry book is of the highest quality.
Think carefully about the price point you’d like to set for your work and consider any promotions that you might like to use to draw attention to it. You can also consider using crowdfunding platforms to help you to create and market your work.
Prepare To Network
Finally, it’s time to get out there and learn to network with potential buyers of your work. Make sure you have business cards and any other marketing materials that you might need in order to create interest in your writing.
Reach out to book publishers, poetry festivals, local newspapers, bookstores and even individual stores, to let them know about the work you’re creating and the message behind it. Be proactive and take every opportunity you can to engage with potential buyers and make them aware of what you’re offering.
Be aware that networking takes time, and it can be easy to become discouraged. Persistence is key when it comes to selling your poetry, so it’s important to remember to keep going and keep trying.
Be Patient And Believe In Yourself
When it comes down to it, successful poets need to have passion, confidence and a willingness to take risks. Over time, as you become more experienced in the publishing industry, you’ll get better at selling your work.
Every journey is different and often unpredictable, but with a commitment to your own creativity and an understanding of the market, you can be sure to see results. So, believe in yourself and stay patient, and with a bit of work, you’ll find success.
Learn The Publishing Industry
It’s essential to understand how the publishing world works if you’re going to be selling your work. Before attempting to market your work, familiarise yourself with the industry basics, including the different types of print and digital publications, the different publishing outlets and the rules and regulations that publishers may need to follow.
This will give you the foundation you need to understand how to approach and submit your work to potential publishers and platforms. It will also help you to identify the best outlets for your work, so you can ensure you target the right people in the right places.
Network With Other Writers
Finally, networking with other writers is an invaluable tool for selling your work and getting your name out there. Find other poets who have similar interests and consider attending events and conferences to meet them. You can also join written networks and social media groups to stay connected and find other like-minded creatives.
It’s also worth contacting literary agents who may be able to help you in your efforts to get your work published. They may already be in touch with potential buyers and can provide invaluable advice about the publishing industry.
Create A Promotional Strategy
Establishing a promotional strategy is key if you want to see your work sold successfully. Consider developing a range of promotional tactics you can implement to increase demand for your work and draw attention to it.
Think carefully about the type of content you’d like to feature and how you plan to use social media and other platforms to promote it. It’s also worth considering engaging with influencers and bloggers who may be able to help spread the word about your work.
Finally, you should consider taking out ads to target your desired audience. Advertising on targeted platforms and developing campaigns for specific readerships can be an effective way to increase the reach of your work.
