Social Media Platforms
In today’s digital era, social media platforms are some of the best places to share poetry online. Twitter, for example, can be used to dispense brief soundbites of your creative brilliance, allowing for 140-character poems – perfect for those with limited time and a huge desire to show off their writing. Twitter also provides plenty of powerful hashtags, as well as the ability to attach documents, images and media, making it an ideal vehicle for the dissemination of poetry.
Facebook is another great option for those wishing to share their work, as the platform allows poets to quickly reach out to friends, family, and the world at large with the mere click of a button. The ability to create dedicated pages for one’s creations is especially attractive, as it creates a forum where concepts can be debated and appreciated.
Similarly, Instagram has become an extremely attractive online destination for members of the poetry community. The platform is a highly visual one, providing poets with the opportunity to use eye-catching visuals as a medium for their work – whether they be short video snippets or a string of beautifully crafted words.
Blogging Platforms
Blogging platforms such as WordPress, Blogger and Tumblr provide poets with a wealth of options when it comes to online sharing. WordPress, in particular, allows poets to set up their own website at no cost in just a few minutes. Here, users can quickly and easily create pages for their creative offerings, adding tags for each piece for easy categorization and searching. Blogger also offers an extensive array of features, from customizable layouts to comment sections and galleries.
Tumblr keeps things simpler in terms of features, allowing poets to post their works and adding their own comments, with the ability to control who can see and comment on the posting. It also offers a feature that allows poets to incorporate an RSS feed of other authors’ poetry posts, enabling them to get creative feedback and ideas for their own ventures.
Poem-Sharing Websites
Websites specifically dedicated to the sharing of poetry are also popular among writers seeking to expand their reach. For example, Poet Seed is a website dedicated to encouraging a cultivated dialogue on poetry, with a passionate user base who share their works and comment on each other’s. Similarly, PoetHall is a poetry-friendly environment where members share their poetry, receive feedback and connect with other writers and enthusiasts.
Other sites such as Desi Writers and Spillwords provide an active and ever-evolving platform on which poets can share, visualize and promote their work. Poetry sites such as these promote community, allowing users to connect with each other, exchange thoughts on their work, and provide constructive critiques.
Podcast Platforms
Another creative way to share poetry online is through podcasting platforms such as SoundCloud and Audioboom. Here, poets can record and share their works in the form of spoken word, allowing for those without the time or talent for conventional writing to still capture their emotions and thoughts in a unique and engaging manner.
Moreover, podcasts offer a great way for poets to establish themselves as authorities and to build their fan base, as they provide an intimate look at their lives and pursuits, as well as a great avenue for promotion (not to mention, a wide global reach).
Distinctive Methodologies
For those who are interested in a more distinctive form of expression, there are a number of sites which focus on multimedia poetry. Such sites as Poetry Avenue and Poemedium allow for the creation of both audio and visualized poetry, combining text, visuals and sound in imaginative ways.
Finally, a unique avenue of poetry sharing is by way of social crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Here, poets can seek donations to fund the publishing of their works, facilitating wider reach and public exposure, while staying true to the art form.
Print Methods
Although online channels are a popular place to share poetry, there is also much to be said for the classical art of print publication. For instance, The Writers’ Union of Canada provides an official Directory of Writers, showcasing books and works by talented poets. The organization also runs an Annual Writers’ Conference which poets can attend and promote their works, while also meeting other established authors in the field.
Similarly, publishers such as Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster are known to accept submissions from the public, providing great platforms for poets to showcase their talents. Universities and college campuses are also excellent places for poets to showcase their works, whether it be through creative writing programmes, zines or events.
Competitions and Workshops
Provided one is willing to put in the time and effort, competitions and workshops are also viable paths for poets to pursue. For instance, The Next Big Writers Poetry Awards offer grants to writers for their works, and the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize awards a substantial cash prize to one winner each year.
Workshops are also a great place to learn, grow and express one’s voice. The Atlantic Centre for the Arts in the United States, the City of London Poetry Competition and the Poetry Society’s National Poetry Competition are all worthwhile destinations for aspiring poets.
Local Outlets
Finally, local establishments such as coffee houses and book shops can often provide a great platform for poets to share their work. Going beyond merely online forums, such outlets allow poets to meet and interact with their audience, giving them an edge when it comes to building a fanbase. Open mic nights and storytelling events – organised by the poet or small local organizations – are also great parts of an eclectic live performances.
In conclusion, the possibilities are endless with regards to sharing poetry online. Whether it is via social media platforms, blogging sites, specialized websites, crowdfunding or print methods, poets have access to a plethora of outlets on which to share their work. All one needs is the talent, the ambition and a comprehensive plan of action.
Creating Videos
Creating and sharing videos of your poetry is another fantastic way to show off your work and come up with unique ways to creatively express yourself. Platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo and Dailymotion provide poets with the capacity to share their poetry in creative and engaging ways, catering to both spoken-word and static visual art.
Using videos to express oneself also offers exciting opportunities for illustration, animation and creative direction. Poets can also use their videos to craft stories around their work, allowing their audiences to viscerally experience and be taken away by the piece. What’s more, the use of engaging visuals and social media promotion can help to bring in larger audiences.
Book Publishing
For publicly sharing poetry, book publishing is an excellent option. Writing books allows poets to showcase their works and gain recognition in a bigger way than online forums or print outlets. With the right topic, poets can even qualify for bookstube promotion or grants, which facilitate book-length projects and provide further opportunities for writers worldwide.
Moreover, there are a number of subsidy publishing services and self-publishing options available, with firms such as Amazon and Lightning Source providing the means to reach a wider audience than ever before. Such options even provide a more cost-effective alternative for those looking to break into conventional publishing.
Producing Merchandise
For an additional layer of originality, producing merchandise such as clothing with one’s poetry printed on them is both a fun and creative way to promote one’s work. Sites such as Zazzle and Threadless offer excellent services with regards to producing merchandise and prints, allowing poets to create their own unique designs, upload and share their artwork, and even creating special editions for book releases and other events.
Additionally, producing clothing would also be a great option for collaborations, something which can be highly beneficial in raising one’s profile. Such arrangements also provide an opportunity to network with and meet other established poets, as well as interact with one’s audience in a new and exciting way.
Bookstores and Stores
Finally, local stores and bookshops, whether independent or major ones, are also great places to share your work. Local book stores, for instance, often collaborate with independent authors for special events, giving them a chance to showcase their creative works and get feedback from the public.
Likewise, stores, such as convenience shops, can also be excellent outlets for distributing books or promotional materials. Approaching the right store staff and working out the right kind of deal could mean the public has access to your work simply by scanning the shelves. Moreover, having your work in physical outlets like this can help to raise your profile on a local or regional level.
