How to Sell Your Poetry Online
It used to be that poets only had a limited outlet for finding an audience for their work. Aspiring poets would have to get their work published in magazines or win poetry competitions to gain exposure. But with the rise of the internet, there are more opportunities than ever to monetize your poetry and make a living out of writing and selling your works online.
Luckily, the web has made it easier than ever to sell poetry and reach an audience. To make the most of this opportunity, here are some tips to make sure you reach potential buyers, maximize your income, and become a successful online poet.
Make an Impressive Portfolio
Creating a portfolio of your work is essential to feeling confident in your ability to monetize your poetry. You should make sure that your portfolio contains the kinds of work that you feel the greatest confidence in and that will be appealing to your customers. It’s also a good practice to include a great deal of detail about the kind of editing, feedback, and assistance you can provide with your service. Showing off your creativity, providing a helpful resource for potential customers, is a great way to demonstrate your worth as a poet.
Produce Quality Work
The quality of the poetry you produce is absolutely crucial. You need to make sure that your work is not only creative and captivating, but also correctly written and without any spelling or grammatical errors. If a potential customer finds mistakes or irrelevant content in your work, it may turn them off and make them less likely to purchase your product. So, make sure that you’re producing high-quality work that will entice buyers.
Interact with Your Audience
Social media is a great tool to reach out to potential customers and spread your work around the internet. You should use platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to post your works, comment on other poets’ works and engage with other artists. The key is to make sure you’re creating an audience for yourself that is interested in your work and wants to support you in your career.
Be Open to Collaborations and Joint Ventures
You can also reach an audience by partnering with other poets or organizations to create joint ventures and collaborations. This will not only extend your reach and give you access to new audiences, but it will also give you the chance to collaborate with other poets who are also passionate about their craft. This will also make you more visible in the eyes of potential customers.
Market and Promote Your Poetry
At their core, poets are storytellers, so you must use the power of storytelling to showcase your poetry. You should use strong descriptions, persuasive titles and attractive visuals to promote and market your work. You can also use podcasts, videos, and even physical events to get your work seen by a larger audience.
Explore Different Sources of Income
Another way to make a living off your poetry is to explore different sources of income. This could be freelance writing, teaching or conducting workshops. You can also turn your poetry into products, such as audiobooks, posters, t-shirts, mugs, and all other sorts of merchandise. Not only is this a great way to diversify your income and make more money from your work, but it’s also a fantastic way to reach an even bigger audience and spread your message.
Network with Other Poets
Having a supportive network of fellow poets can be essential to your success. You can meet new writers, exchange ideas and experiences and make friendships that last beyond writing. You can also network with publishers and literary agents to gain more experience, visibility and to learn how to make your work more appealing to potential customers. The more you network, the further reach you will have and thus, more money you will make.
Think Outside The Box
One of the best ways to feel inspired and promote your work is to think outside the box. Think of ways to write outside of your poems’ traditional form and structure. Experiment with new formats like spoken-word, rap and free verse, and use your unique style to engage with your audience in more creative and inspiring ways. Thinking outside the box can both inspire you and your readers, and it may even make you more attractive to commercial buyers.
Use Online Platforms to Monetize Your Poetry
Thankfully, there are plenty of online platforms that now provide the opportunity to monetize your poetry. Platforms such as Sellfy, Fiverr and Etsy are great places to start, they make it easier than ever to offer your services and make money from your work. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions of each platform to get an idea of how to maximize your income.
Mind Your Look and Presentation
The way you present yourself to potential buyers is just as important as the quality of your work. Make sure your website is visually appealing and that you make a good impression through social media by using professional profile pictures and staying active. You should make sure the way you represent yourself online is professional and that investing in a website for your work is worth it.
Learn How to Price Your Work
Pricing your work correctly is one of the most important things you need to consider when trying to monetize your work. You need to make sure you’re getting the right amount of money for the service you’re providing. Research the industry and find out the average prices that other poets charge, then create a pricing model that works for you.
Consider Offering Poetry Writing Classes
This could be a great way to reach a wider audience and make money by teaching people how to write and monetize their poetry. This will also improve your credibility as a poet and make you more respected in the writing community. You can offer online classes, workshops, or one-on-one personalized classes for those who want to learn more about the craft of poetry.
Understand Copyright Laws
Copyright laws are essential for poets to understand in order to protect their work and correctly monetize it. Make sure you know the differences between public domain, Creative Commons license, and copyright, and take the necessary steps to protect your work from being stolen or used without permission. Understanding the law will give you the confidence to negotiate for better terms and prices for your services.
Create an Engaging Newsletter and Blog
Creating a newsletter and blog is a great way to keep people up to date on what you’re doing and give them a little insight into how you work. You can use the newsletter to inform readers about upcoming events, new poems, and other projects. Meanwhile, a blog can be used to showcase your writing skills, engage with potential customers, and demonstrate your expertise in the field.
Hire a Professional to Help You Promote Your Poetry
Reaching out to potential buyers is an essential step to successfully monetizing your work. But if you don’t have the time or experience to do that, it’s worth considering hiring a professional. They can help you create an effective marketing strategy, reach an even bigger audience and make sure your work reaches the right people.
