By Scott McCormick - Although poetry is a timeless and revered form of artistic expression, it’s not the easiest genre to make money from. Unlike with novels, poetry is harder to turn into movies and T-shirts, and therefore, publishers are less eager to publish it.
Having said that, there are still ways in which poets can get paid to write poetry. In fact, thanks to digital media, evolving consumer preferences, and publishing partners like BookBaby, poets now have more opportunities than ever to turn their passion into profit. This article will show you seven effective ways to make money from your poetry.
Table of Contents:
• The Current Market for Poetry
• 7 ways to make money from poetry
• Overview of BookBaby’s poetry book services
• Turning Your Passion into Profit
The Current Market for Poetry
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of writing poetry. Perhaps we have social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to thank, as they have helped to develop a core audience of people who love to consume content in small snippets. Poetry, with its emphasis on concise, impactful writing, slots right into that need nicely. There have never been more options to earn extra cash if you’re a poetry writer or are into creative writing, so let’s dive in!
7 ways to make money from poetry
#1 Publish a poetry book
The classic way to earn money from your poetry is to publish a poetry book. Ideally, you could submit your poetry collection to an editor, sign a publishing deal, and rake in the money. As unlikely as that is to happen, there are some fantastic publishers out there who specialize in publishing poetry, many of whom accept manuscripts without an agent.
Here are a few publishers to check out if you’re a poetry writer:
If you want to try to get an agent, check out Manuscript Wish List to see which agents represent the kind of poetry you write.
On the other hand, you may find more success self-publishing your poetry. For one thing, you’ll be able to get your poems into stores in a matter of weeks or months as opposed to years by following the traditional route. And for another, your royalty rates will be a lot better if you self-publish. And finally, you’ll
retain creative control over every step of the publishing process.
BookBaby is an ideal publishing partner, and they can help you produce beautiful eBooks and printed books and place those published poem books into the biggest bookstores in the world.
#2 Submit to literary magazines and journals
Literary magazines and journals are excellent platforms for poets to gain exposure and earn money. These publications often pay for accepted submissions, and being featured can boost your reputation. Preparing submissions for a poetry magazine or literary magazine requires a careful selection of poems and a strict adherence to each publication’s guidelines.
Although there are dozens of poetry magazines, here are a few selected journals to check out for your poetry submission:
#3 Enter poetry contests
Poetry contests offer cash prizes and significant recognition. Many contests are open to poets of all levels and can be found through literary websites and organizations. To succeed in a poetry contest, you should carefully review contest rules and deadlines, and of course be sure to select your strongest work for submission. Winning or placing in contests can be financially rewarding and also enhance your credibility.
Check out Poetry Soup for a list of this year’s poetry contests.
#4 Offer poetry writing services
Offering custom poetry writing services is a lucrative way to monetize poetry skills. This can include writing personalized poems for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or Valentine’s Day. You can even offer ghostwriting services. You’ll want to market these services through your own website and social media platforms, but probably the way is to sign up with a site like Fiverr. Be sure to check out other poets’ listings to get a sense on how to best market your services.
#5 Create and sell poetry merchandise
Poetry can be transformed into various merchandise items such as posters, greeting cards, and apparel. These items allow poets to diversify their income streams and reach different market segments. BookBaby can assist with the production of high-quality poetry books and other printed materials, but if you want to branch out to other types of merch, check out vendors like Redbubble, Printful, Shopify, or Bonfire.
#6 Host workshops or teach poetry
Teaching poetry through workshops or classes is another way to generate income. You can offer workshops in-person or online, catering to different skill levels and interests. This will not only provide a nice financial reward for you, but it can also help build a community of learners and enthusiasts.
If you want to offer online courses, check out services like Teachable or Coursera.
#7 Perform poetry live
Live poetry performances such as spoken word events, poetry slams, and readings offer opportunities for you to earn money, connect with audiences, and sell your self-published poetry books. These events can be hosted in various venues including cafes, bookstores, and theaters. You can also participate in virtual poetry slams and performances, reaching audiences beyond your local area. A good way to promote your live reading skills is by reading your poems on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Overview of BookBaby’s poetry book services
When it comes to self-publishing your poetry book, you have a choice of partners. Here’s why BookBaby is the best.
Professional editing
Poetry, just like with prose, needs to be edited before it can be published. BookBaby offers professional book editing services to ensure that your poetry book will be polished and market-ready. Their experienced editors can provide feedback on structure, style, and grammar.
Formatting
In poetry, where every word carries weight and every line bears significance, the way a poem is presented on the page can profoundly impact its reception. Proper poetry formatting is not just about aesthetics; it’s about enhancing readability, complementing the poem’s rhythm, and enriching the overall artistic experience for the reader.
BookBaby offers book formatting and eBook formatting services to ensure your poetry collection will look gorgeous and be easy to read on all devices.
Customized book printing
BookBaby’s custom poetry book printing options allow you to create beautiful, high-quality books tailored to your specific needs. Whether it’s a limited-edition hardcover or a more affordable paperback, BookBaby provides diverse printing options to suit different budgets and preferences. Their books are printed in-house on state-of-the-art equipment, resulting in the highest-quality books with beautiful book cover designs in just a few days.
Distribution
BookBaby’s distribution is unmatched in the industry and is designed to maximize the visibility and sales of your poetry books. They offer distribution through online retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Vearsa, Apple Books as well as international booksellers. That means you can sell your eBooks and print-on-demand books in the world’s biggest bookstores and manage all these accounts via one easy-to-use dashboard.
Marketing
BookBaby’s marketing services include promotional strategies, metadata optimization, consultation services, and social media ads: everything you need to promote your poetry.
Turning Your Passion into Profit
Making money from poetry requires creativity, persistence, and outside-the-box thinking, but if you work at it, you can make it happen. And what’s more, you can leverage BookBaby’s comprehensive services to help you every step of the way, down the road less traveled and beyond.
