Who Says Rhyme Doesn’t Pay?

By BookBaby author Brian Jud

Many poets believe selling their poetry is as hard as, well … selling poetry. But if you look beyond the bookstore, you can find many sales opportunities. This article provides ideas and examples of potential segments that could be lucrative for you. This information is meant to get you started and give poets some hope that their craft can be profitable.

Target readers

A basic tenet for selling anything is to first know your target market. No one can market to everybody, so consider the 5Ws to describe people who could buy your poetry:

Who is the typical reader you had in mind?
Where do they shop?
When do they buy poetry?
What do they buy?
Why do they buy?

Figuring this out can also help in your product development. For example, if you are writing poetry for seniors, you might consider publishing a large-print version.

Write a one-sentence description of your content and how your target readers will benefit from it. Use this sentence as a format: My poetry helps__________ who want ________ get_________.

For example, your sentence could be, “My poetry helps children who want to be entertained have more fun from having their parents read to them.” If seniors are a target segment, your sentence could be, “My poetry helps older adults who want to enjoy their golden years by reading and discussing enjoyable poetry in groups of friends.”

Given your descriptions above, what specific things must you do to reach your objectives? It is helpful to group these activities under two major topics: 1) where you will sell it, and 2) how you will promote it. The sections below include examples to help you get started. Your own actions will vary according to your content and target readers.

Where will you sell it? Explore options:

  1. Now that you know where your readers shop, that is where you want to have your poetry for sale. Examples of retail outlets for poetry could include chain bookstores (religious or otherwise) that sell poetry. Do your readers travel? If so, seek distribution through airport stores for a relaxing read mid-flight. Do they shop in supermarkets? Then have your books there. The same concept applies to discount stores, gift shops, and parks.
  2. Examples of non-retail opportunities include schools, associations, and libraries. These prospects require direct selling since there are no distribution partners (except for libraries) that sell books to non-retail buyers. The Academy of American Poets provides several unique opportunities and benefits for businesses and corporations. Weddings, christenings, and retirements are historically good markets for poetry. Conduct an Internet search to find people who plan these events and contact them to use your poetry as a premium or to resell it. For example, the Association of Wedding Planners lists its members, and you can offer to customize poetry for their clients.
  3. Sell your poems to greeting card companies. Many companies that will pay you to write for their greeting cards.
  4. Join an association to network with other poets, speak at their conferences and peruse their list of resources. Examples include the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association and the National Association for Poetry Therapy. Several U.S. states also have their own poetry associations.
  5. What other organizations could use your poetry to help it members or use as a fundraiser? Members of the National Institute of Relationship Enhancement and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy might use your poetry as a membership premium or to resell to members.
  6. Discover the library dedicated exclusively to poetry: the Poetry Foundation Library. See all their ways to advertise poetry, as well as podcasts, awards, events, exhibitions, grants and much more.

Our friendly, helpful staff members are here for you every step of the way

How will you promote it? Discover the ways.

There are many public-relations activities that can reach people in your target markets as frequently and inexpensively as possible. Most media exposure is free, so you can get maximum coverage on a limited budget.

  1. Write a one-page press release, focusing on what makes you and your poetry unique, enjoyable, relaxing, and/or important. Begin it with a simple statement or question (your hook) that will get the attention of the reader. Your hook is the key concept that makes you or your poetry unique and beneficial to your audience.
  2. Write letters to the editor or submit informative articles to magazines or newsletters. Which newspapers does your target buyer read? Could they review your poetry, write about it, or publish your articles about writing poetry?
  3. Which magazines could review or write about your book? Where you could you send articles? Branch out!
  4. Who could review your book? How about American Poetry Review, Critical Poetry Review Magazine, and/or Poetry International? Get in touch with them.
  5. Which competitions would be right for your poetry? Look into opportunities for poetry contests in your state here.
  6. Contact appropriate retail outlets tell them you are willing to conduct an in-store event or poetry reading.
  7. Embrace social media. Create an author page on Facebook where you can highlight your current and future work. Also, set up an account on X to build your image as an expert, or on LinkedIn to network with like-minded people and prospects.
  8. Jacqueline Suskin, a poet writing in Readers Digest says, “For the past four years I’ve performed a public project that consists of exchanging on-demand poetry composed for a donation.”

There are endless ways to market your self-published poetry to the world. It does take time, thought, and creativity to get the word out, but the results will be worth it in the long run.

Consider this article a starting point as you continue to brainstorm on where and how to market your poetry. Search for options that pertain to your specific genre of poetry and you will soon learn that rhyme does pay. And if you need help getting the word out through book advertising, printed books, and more, get in touch with a Publishing Specialist at BookBaby.

Request our free catalog to see all the ways we can help you publish like a professional author.

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