How To Earn Money By Poetry

Passion as a Path to Profit with Poetry

The art of poetry can be more than a hobby–it can be a business. Wordsmiths of all kinds are monetizing their craft by combining traditional and modern marketing techniques, even making a living from it. Although poetry is a personal creative endeavor, it doesn’t have to remain uncompensated. Some poets are able to make money solely through their poetry and never have to enter the rat race.
It is no secret that the experience of creating and sharing poetry brings joy and fulfillment to those who practice it. Not only that, but poetry can be surprisingly profitable. With the rise of technology and self-publishing tools, poets are now able to take control of their money-making endeavors. Here are some pointers for poets looking to increase their pocket money or even turn their poetry into a full-time job.

Harnessing Social Media

Social media is essential in today’s business world for all entrepreneurs, even poets. A strong social media presence can make all the difference when it comes to selling your poems or publications. Build a website, a following on social media, and start publishing your work. Social media is especially beneficial when it comes to poetry because it allows poets to build a fan base and form relationships with other poets, all while finding readers who love their work.
It also gives poets the chance to create their own personal ‘brand’ as a poet. Posting short poems and witty musings can increase your engagement, ultimately leading more people to your work. Another way to increase engagement in your work is to join online writing communities and participate in conversations – this will give you a platform to share your poems and become more visible. Any self-respecting poet should not be afraid to promote and publicise their work.

Organizing Live Events

Sometimes, the best way to make money from poetry is to connect with an audience face-to-face and read your poems live. As long as poets are capable of delivering their work with confidence and enthusiasm, live readings can sell out quickly.
Organizing your own live events takes effort and dedication. Spreading the word about your events is essential and a great way to do that is through word-of-mouth and guerrilla marketing tactics. Try to build a fan base by sharing your work on multiple social media platforms or create a blog or a website where your poetry can be showcased. Connect to other poetry lovers on networks like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This can help you to find and build collaboration with other poets and influencers who share your interests.

Turn Your Talent into Books

Self-publishing has been a great asset to writers and poets who want to make money from their work. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform has made it easy for any aspiring author to upload and sell their work.
Creating an e-book of your own poetry gives you an opportunity to make a significant profit by selling your work in bulk. All a poet needs is a solid idea, capital, and the skills to produce a book. Have a look at Amazon’s Kindle-approved apps to help you format a paperback or Kindle version of your work. Set reasonable prices, learn from customer reviews, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a published author.

Unlock Education Opportunities

Many poets supplement their income by teaching the craft. Community colleges, universities, and independent writing programs run classes by poets. If you have a knowledge of poetry, think about teaching a class. One way to do this is to apply for a position in an institution’s creative writing program. You might also apply as an online instructor to teach courses online.
Your resume doesn’t have to be extensive – what matters is your experience and credentials as a poet. A track record of education, publishing and readings is essential when looking for a teaching job. Do not be discouraged if you don’t have a long publication list – your skill and enthusiasm is also a huge factor when applied to teaching poetry.

License Your Work for a Commercial Purpose

Photographers and illustrators often rely on stock agencies to license their work. Poets, too, can seek out agencies to license their poetry. By doing so, they can obtain higher rates by offering their artistic products to commercial entities. Organizations like Storyblocks and Creative Market offer subscription-based services, where poets can look for opportunities to license their work.
It is advisable to highlight your area of expertise such as spoken word poetry, narrative, lyrics, or abstract poems. Once you identify your niche, you can start approaching agencies that focus on your specific style. If you are fairly confident that your work is of sufficient quality and consistency, you may want to look for a larger platform like the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) to discuss license agreements for your work.

Grant Writing

Grant writing is a profitable option for poets who are willing to spend the time to qualify for and apply for grants. Businesses, foundations and government organizations will often assign funds to writers for the purpose of developing work. This can be a great way for poets to make money, as long as they are confident in their writing skills, and have knowledge or experience of the grant writing process.
First and foremost, check if any of your local organizations offer grants. The foundation and grants landscape is ever-shifting, so stay abreast of new funding sources. Network with writers, literary organizations and artist groups who may have knowledge of relevant grants you can apply for, and never shy away from asking questions. Many online resources and writing groups also load grant opportunities and offer advice for grant writing.

Audition for Poetry Slams

If you are comfortable performing your work, you can leverage the popularity of live events like poetry slams. Although poetry slams have a competitive element, they can be a great platform for poets to showcase their talents and make money doing what their love. As has been the case with literature, poetry slams are making their way onto digital platforms. Recent events organized by poet and entertainment organizations combine the digital and live worlds to engage the growing number of poets who can show off their work for prizes.
Practicing public speaking skills and perfecting performance techniques are both critical if you wish to succeed in poetry slams. These skills can help to build confidence, while presenting the opportunity to network with the fellow poets and practitioners in the art.

Get Paid to Write Poetry

Many print and online publishers pay for poetry, and so it is important for poets to find opportunities to get published and make a living from their work. It helps to start by researching popular literary magazines such as The New Yorker, Paris Review or Electric Literature, which often feature poetry and narratives on particular topics. Smaller literary journals are also good places to start submitting your work.
Freelance submission sites such as iWriter and Fiverr are also a great way to create a profile and advertise for paid work. With sites like these, poets can name their own price and showcase a portfolio of their work.

Invest in Your Online Platform

Your website or blog can act as an online portfolio, helping to highlight your work and increase your public visibility as a poet. Building a simple website, showcasing your work, and investing in a good hosting service will cost only a few dollars a month. Some hosting services even offer free website design so poets can get started right away.
Once launched, the website should be proactively maintained and regularly updated with new and engaging content. Share the website on social media and reach out to other poets and apply for speaking engagements or collaboration projects. Doing so will help you build an audience, which yields exponential gains in brand recognition and marketability.

Network Within the Poetry Industry

For any poet who wants to make money through their work, it is essential to network within the poetry world. Gaining visibility and recognition is essential in any industry and to further your career as a poet, it really pays to connect and network with the people in the industry. To build those relationships and make yourself known, start blogging, tweeting, or attending poetry events or live readings.
Expand your knowledge of the industry by reading other poets’ works and attending unique poetry events or festivals. Connecting with publishers, editors, authors and other industry professionals can draw new opportunities. There are several different ways to facilitate this – social networks, online forums, and local meetups are all great ways to get connected with the right people.

Starting a Newsletter

Poets who want to pitch their work and build a fan base can leverage a newsletter as a powerful marketing tool. Newsletters are an effective way to drive engagement and provide a platform to build relationships with readers and potential employers.
Update your newsletter regularly and make sure you’re offering something of value to your readers. It can be a quasi-review of specific books, a discussion of the current state of the industry or even interviews with other poets. Also include marketing campaigns, upcoming projects and workshops. Don’t forget to add a sign-up sheet to your website or social media accounts so you can start building a network of readers and potential clients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is more than one way to make money with poetry. It demands hard work, dedication, patience and constant promotion and involvement in the poetry industry. Social media and various online services have made it easier for poets to unlock their potential without needing any external help. However, participation in literary events, word of mouth marketing, and networking within the industry remains essential for long-term success.

Minnie Walters is a passionate writer and lover of poetry. She has a deep knowledge and appreciation for the work of famous poets such as William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and many more. She hopes you will also fall in love with poetry!

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