If you have a love of poetry and are looking for ways to turn your passion into a profitable venture, there are plenty of opportunities available to you. From literary journals to greeting card companies, there are a multitude of markets for your poetry. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different ways you can make money writing poems and provide you with practical tips on how to get started.
5 Ways to Earn Money Writing Poems
These are the 5 ways to generate income while writing poems.
1. Submit Your Poems to Literary Journals and Magazines
One of the best ways to get your poetry published and earn money is by submitting your work to literary journals and magazines. Many publications offer payment for accepted poems, and some even offer contests with cash prizes. Some popular literary magazines that accept poetry submissions include The Poetry Foundation, The Southern Review, and The Threepenny Review.
2. Submit Your Poems to Greeting Card Companies
Greeting card companies like Blue Mountain Arts are always on the lookout for new poetry to include in their cards. While the pay for these types of submissions may not be as high as literary magazines, it’s a great way to get your work in front of a large audience and potentially earn some extra cash.
3. Self-Publish Your Poetry
If you have a collection of poems you’d like to publish, self-publishing your book of poetry can be a good way to earn money and gain exposure. You can sell your book on online marketplaces like Amazon or on your own website or blog. You can also create audiobooks, coffee mugs, and other merchandise to sell alongside your poetry.
4. Enter Poetry Contests
Poetry contests are a great way to earn money and get your work in front of a wider audience. There are many contests out there with cash prizes, such as the Arc Poetry Magazine Poem of the Year Contest and the Rattle Poetry Prize. Be sure to read the submission guidelines carefully and be prepared to pay an entry fee.
5. Utilize Social Media
Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube are a great place to share your poetry and gain a following. By building an online platform, you can attract potential clients and publishers. Use your social media channels to share your unpublished work, poetry readings, and writing tips. You can even sell your own online course or offer coaching services to aspiring poets.
Best Social Media for Publishing Poems
One of the good places to share your poems was social media. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr are great places for publishing poems. Instagram, in particular, has become a popular platform for poets due to its focus on visual content, and many poets have built large followings through sharing their work on the platform.
Twitter is another popular platform for sharing short poems or poetic lines, often accompanied by relevant hashtags to help them reach a wider audience. Tumblr is also a popular platform for sharing longer-form poems or poetic series. Ultimately, the best platform for publishing poems will depend on the individual poet’s goals, target audience, and preferred style of content.
Best Examples of Earning Money by Publishing Poems
There are many examples of people who have earned money by publishing their poems. For instance, Rupi Kaur is a popular poet who self-published her first book of poetry, “Milk and Honey,” which went on to become a New York Times bestseller. Another example is the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, which often includes poems and pays their contributors.
Additionally, greeting card companies like Blue Mountain Arts and online platforms like Etsy allow poets to sell their work to a wider audience. Poetry contests and literary journals also offer cash prizes for winning poems and accepted submissions. While earning a living solely from writing poetry can be challenging, it is possible to make some extra money through creative writing and publishing.
Great Social Media Accounts that Write Poems and Attract Many Viewers
Here are some social media accounts that are known for their great poetry and have a large following:
- Rupi Kaur (@rupikaur_), known for her short, minimalist poems and illustrations
- Nayyirah Waheed (@nayyirah.waheed), known for her raw and honest poetry
- Atticus Poetry (@atticuspoetry), known for his romantic and inspirational poetry
- Amanda Lovelace (@ladybookmad), known for her feminist poetry and advocacy
- Lang Leav (@langleav), known for her romantic and melancholic poetry
- Tyler Knott Gregson (@tylerknott), known for his typewriter poetry and photography
- Warsan Shire (@wu_shire), known for her powerful and political poetry
- Cleo Wade (@cleowade), known for her uplifting and motivational poetry
- Nikita Gill (@nikita_gill), known for her mythological and feminist poetry
- Sarah Kay (@kaysarahsera), known for her spoken word poetry.
These accounts have a large following and engage with their audience through beautiful and thought-provoking poems.
Conclusion
Earning money by writing poems is not impossible, but it requires dedication, hard work, and patience. Submitting your work to literary journals, poetry contests, greeting card companies, and literary magazines can be a great way to gain exposure and earn some extra cash. Self-publishing your poetry books, selling merchandise, and building an online platform through social media can also help you establish a loyal audience and generate income. Remember that success in the poetry world takes time, but with persistence and a love of the craft, it is possible to turn your passion for poetry into a rewarding career.
