Gather Support and Constructive Criticism
One of the most important aspects of having your poetry get noticed is having the confidence and willpower to put your work out there. Having support from close friends and family can give you the courage to be brave and have the assurance you need your poetry deserves to be seen. Even if it’s just sharing your work with close friends on a private level, having constructive criticism and feedback can be essential for your development as a poet.
Getting support from like minded people with the same aspirations and wants can be the foundation of building the courage to build more in-depth relationships with the public. This is where hashtags such as #WriterCommunity and #WritingCommunity can be helpful. Connecting to local poets and writers in your area, or even on a state level, can give you great insight as to what can be improved and how you can actively seek out a crowd of readers. Over time, this could be all the motivation to further your career and get your poetry noticed.
Seeking out constructive criticism from experienced poets can be a great source of knowledge. Not only can it build confidence, but it can also help you learn and much better understand the process of writing. Make sure the criticism is constructive too; getting advice and opinions from poetry professionals can help your work become even better and effective.
Make Self-Publishing a Priority in Your Journey
Self-publishing can be a great option for getting your work noticed. Not only can it be implemented to supplement the current recognition you’re looking for, but it can also serve as a platform to further create your brand and expand your career. With sites like Amazon, Lulu and Kobo all offering self-publishing options, the ease and accessibility of having the freedom to publish your work online is an asset for getting your work noticed.
Furthermore, self-publishing offers benefits such as having control over the work and having no restrictions or guidelines. You can design the book cover, as well as restrict any content or material written that could weaken the strength of the book. Publishing in this manner can also bring in a wider audience, who don’t necessarily have access to bookstores, or simply prefer digital copies.
Self-publishing can be a great platform to use when uploading your work and having to pay a fee could be beneficial, as the money can help cover any other costs of the book, or give back to your career in terms of investments into newer projects. But do make sure you explore all other options before making the decision to self-publish.
Spread the Word on Social Media
Making use of your social media platforms and networking is a great way to get your poetry noticed. With billions of people having access to social media comes the opportunity for you to showcase your work and be seen by a much larger audience. Platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook all offer great avenues for you to share your work and build a devoted fan base.
Even if your platform isn’t specifically for your poetry, use the different mediums to attract new readers. Taking advantage of audio and video formats can be beneficial in order to make content more engaging. Utilizing various features on certain apps also offer opportunities to post snippets, or previews of poems, allowing a much wider audience to see and engage with your work.
Not to mention, using certain hashtags such as #Poetry and #WritingCommunity can help draw an audience that are interested in poetry and literature. However, be sure to use those tags in an appropriate and non-disruptive manner, as you want to build an audience that’s interested and engaging with your work, rather than being flagged and marked as spam.
Find Online Publications and Events
Finding online publications and events that are conducive to your particular style of work can also be a great route for getting your poetry noticed. Similar to physical bookstores, or local events, submitting your work via the internet can give your work the opportunity to reach an even wider audience worldwide.
From magazines, to stock image suppliers, to even video streaming sites; these outlets can also provide a safe place to submit your work and have it widely seen. Also, commercials and trailers have been known to use literary works from unknown poets with agreement of payment, which makes this another great avenue for more recognition and to start getting noticed.
Submit To Competitions and Awards
Submitting your work for competitions and awards is a sure-fire way to get your work seen on a much larger scale, as well as being rewarded for your efforts. Such competitions offer opportunities for authors and poets to get their work seen by professionals and have their work be noticed by potential audiences. Not only will you be able to gain recognition and respect, but there are also real life rewards such as prize money and trips.
But do make sure the competition or awards you want to enter aligns with what you want to achieve. For example, if you’re an up and coming poet wanting to be noticed, try finding competitions and awards that are suited to beginners, as opposed to very experienced professionals. Also, be mindful of the entry fees and costs that may be associated with the awards you want to enter, as to prevent any additional costs.
Last, but most certainly not least, connecting and networking with those who share similar views and aspirations as you can be an invaluable tool for getting your work noticed. Building relationships with fellow poets, authors, and publishers is essential to any career and rising in the ranks as a poet. Building mutual relationships will not only give you insight into the industry, but also provide access to excellent resources, such as contacts and potential collaborates for upcoming projects, as well as potential mentors.
Connecting to people in your local creative scene can also be beneficial when having events or book readings. Not to mention, when actively looking for a certain audience, or certain markets, having relationships with local publishers, magazines, or presses in your area can be a great source of advice and direction.
Don’t Delay and Take Action On Your Plans
Procrastination can be one of the biggest reasons why certain tasks don’t get done, and poetry is no exception. Having a plan, as well as being consistent and persistent will be the foundation of hearing your hard-earned success. From having the courage to make submissions and take risks, to finding connections and building relationships, such actions are all part of the process of gaining recognition from the public.
Authentic communication and having a genuine passionate for your work is essential for engaging with people who are interested in what you have to write about. Understanding your audience, as well as being aware of the current trends in literature, can be the key aspect to further understanding what readers are looking for and providing them with the material they desire.
Not every opportunity that comes your way will be a perfect fit. Avoid choosing what suits you in the moment as this can drain your ambition and drive you to expect results without putting in the effort. Make sure the task or opportunity is something you’re in agreement with and be sure it challenges your current skill set. Doing so will guarantee development in your career and help trail blaze a path to a successful literary career.
Focus On How You Can Increase Your Productivity and Efficiency
Remaining organized and having a writing routine can be a great way to increase productivity and efficiency. Whether it’s writing at a certain time of day, or having a certain goal in mind, or even using certain applications and programs, finding a system of work that works for you can be essential for working better and faster.
Also, exercising and eating healthy can be beneficial for having intervals of focus, as well as having sufficient rest in order to stay productive. Not to mention, having an organized task list and an archive of poetry can save time and effort when finding a certain poem from a whole list of work. Furthermore, have an understanding of where your inspirations derive from, and recreate your process accordingly.
Don’t Lose Motivation When Not Reaching Desired Results
Being your own biggest critic can be a great way to stay motivated and remain diligent in the work you’re doing. However, understanding when enough is enough, and not being hard on yourself when it comes to results, can save you from potentially getting disheartened or discouraged.
Practicing affirmations and positive reinforcement with yourself can help you stay positive when not seeing immediate results, focus on the positives and drive yourself forward. Remind yourself of the accomplishments so far and use those experiences and lessons to continue working hard. Staying optimistic will be beneficial for staying energized and focused as you move on in honing your craft.
Stay Focused and Consistent With Your work
Keep writing, even when not hearing back, or not getting the recognition you’re looking for. Don’t be embarrassed to share your work either, and build a platform of confidence by posting frequently and without hesitation. Utilizing your sociable platforms and networking can help build a platform, but committing to writing on a regular basis will be the key aspect of building momentum and having the work progress.
However, don’t be so rigid that you lose sight of what you’re working for. Focus on the enjoyment of writing and the process, as opposed to the result. Avoid feeling like you have to worry about what the public wants, and instead focus on making sure each piece is something that you’re proud of. Doing so will be essential for having poems that you’re proud of, as opposed to writing for a certain market, which will eventually result in poems that might not be so genuine.
Have Pride in Your Work and Venture Out
For your career to gain recognition, it’s important to look beyond the screen and instead take the initiative to reach out to people. Having the courage to travel, or attend certain events, can be the key aspect to building a wider profile and allowing more people to learn of your work. Whether it’s simply a book signing, an active reading event, or even creating a spokesperson position, taking the initiative away from the computer or the phone can help expand your horizons and get you even more noticed.
In addition, don’t be scared to take a break. The long hours of reading, writing, and researching can take a toll, and it’s always been advised to take a break from time to time. Taking the time to do something creative, reading a book, or just simply having a fresh perspective after going for a walk can help reinvigorate any drive you have for writing. Also, don’t forget to have pride in the work you’re making, and never underestimate the power of your work.
Summary
Getting your poetry noticed can be a long and tiring process, but taking the time to use the right tools and networking with the right people can make all the difference. From gathering support and constructive criticism, to self-publishing, to utilizing social media and finding online publications and events to submit your work to, as well as using competitions and awards as a resource — there’s a number of ways to get your work seen on a much larger scale. Furthermore, connecting and networking with people who share the same views and aspirations, and taking action on your plans, will be the key aspects to having a successful career.
On the other hand, don’t neglect to focus on how you can increase your productivity and efficiency, ensuring that you’re consistently producing quality pieces of work. Take breaks from time to time, remember to stay motivated when not reaching desired results, and have pride in your work. Lastly, venture out as much as possible, make sure you’re heard, attend book signings and other events, as this could be the key aspect to having a successful career as a poet.
