How To Get Your Poetry Noticed

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First of all, congratulations! Putting yourself out there through poetry is indeed a brave and vulnerable thing. But what next? How do you put your words in front of the right readers and attract an audience?

When I started writing poetry for real back in 2020, I honestly had no idea what I was doing and probably (definitely) embarrassed myself more than once. But by leaning into these embarrassments, rejections and occasionally not-so polite suggestions, I've been able to improve my writing and have my work published in several of my favourite publications.

Pinch me, please.

And because there's no secrets here, I want to share with you exactly what steps you can take to get your poetry noticed, too.

Share on social media

A bit of a no-brainer, but it actually took me way too long to build up enough confidence to start posting my poetry on social media. My advice? Just post it. Social media isn't all about showing off your finest, most polished work, people want to see behind the scenes – the mistakes and the frustration and all the messy drafts.

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest are all great platforms for sharing your poetry and the process behind it.

You can check out what other accounts are posting for inspiration, but don't copy – find a way to carve out your own little space by being authentic. Use relevant hashtags and engage with other poets, readers, and writers by leaving comments, saving, or sharing their work as well as your own.

via @petaroxywrites

Submit submit submit

There are literally hundreds, probably thousands, of publications out there that will accept your poetry submissions, both online and print. Get researching and compile a list of magazines, journals, websites etc. that publish poetry fitting your style or genre, and present your pitch. Most publications will provide submission guidelines, so be sure to follow them carefully.

Poetry presses and publications typically post on their social channels when they are open for submissions for particular projects and topics, so make sure you follow along and stay updated. There are even a few awesome accounts on Instagram like @chillsub_official and @artopencalls that round up submission opportunities for you, which is a huge time saver. Big appreciation for these profiles.

Self-publish a poetry book

Did you know you can self-publish a book with Amazon? It's not horribly difficult or expensive, and the process itself can be very rewarding. Round up your favourite pieces and edit them into a collection, then get busy uploading. The feeling when you receive your first author copy is pretty special, one that's only topped by your first recorded sale.

Read and review other poets

By offering to read and review the work of other writers and poets, you can start to create a dialogue and build a community. Self-published a collection? Reach out to the people in your network and ask them if they'd like a free copy in exchange for a review or a post on their social media.

Engaging with other poets and working to establish genuine relationships will help you generate exposure for your own work without having to put on the hard sell.

Attend poetry readings & open mic nights

This one can strike fear into the heart of many an introverted writer, but if you've got the guts to speak in front of a crowd then poetry readings are definitely for you. Standing in front of a real life crowd and sharing the vulnerability of your words is probably the best way to get noticed, given you have the opportunity to interact with your audience right then and there.

Start a blog, TikTok, or YouTube channel

If you're not keen on exposing your soul publicly to a room full of people, you can always try it from behind the safety of a camera or screen. A blog is an easy one to set up, and while you might feel uncomfortable or unsure about making videos at first, this type of content is an even better way to connect with your audience on a more personal level.

Enter poetry competitions

I only learned about the existence of poetry competitions recently, and at first I doubted myself but then thought, why not? Many offer cash incentives along with publication and distribution of your work as prizes. So, when you come across a contest that sounds like a fit for your poetry, enter it! Some will charge a reading fee, typically around the $20 mark, but other than that you've not got much to lose. Even if you don’t win first prize, you might gain some valuable feedback.

Unless you have a huge following already it's unlikely you will achieve success overnight – poetry tends to be personal, and what you write won't necessarily resonate with everyone. It takes time to get your poetry noticed by the right people, but stay the course.

Accept that rejection will be part of your journey as a poet, and use it to fuel your growth. Stay consistent and true to yourself, and you will see results.

Have I missed anything? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

~ prb x