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How to Make a Living as a Poet

Very few poets make a living solely out of writing poetry, but don't let that put you off. With hard work, a little diversity, and publicizing yourself well you could be on your way to being one of those few.

In the meantime you could try some of the following ways to use your poetic talents to help flesh out your income.

Competitions

Poetry competitions are a good way to try and earn some money. Prizes can amount from the trivial, to quite substantial, depending on the competition. Most competition organisers do charge a small fee and, as in all areas of poetry writing, competition is fierce, so make sure all your entries have been edited and re-written until they are as good as you can possibly make them before submitting.

Online Poetry magazines

As well as the magazines and newspapers that accept poetry that you will find in The Writers and Artists Yearbook and Writers Market, there are many online poetry magazines that pay poets. Do a google search and you'll be surprised at the number of poetry markets you find, but before submitting make sure you check out which ones pay and which don't.

Also, read all the submission details thoroughly before sending. Some only accept email submissions and others only by snail mail. Check to see if they have particular reading months as some only read between certain periods and if you send them at the wrong time they could be returned unread.

Greeting Cards

Send your writing CV to all the greeting card companies and offer your services. Send them some samples of your work, either traditional verses for greeting cards or humorous verse, or a sample of both.

Advertising Copywriter

You could earn a good income using your poetic abilities by training to become an Advertising Copywriter. Here you will be using your skills for advertisement jingles or captions for radio, magazine or television advertising.

Teach at Adult Evening Classes

If you possess the qualities to stand in front of a class and teach others the basics of different forms of poetry writing, then this could be a way of earning extra money. Contact your local Education Authority and offer your services.

Get Publicity

If your finances permit, you could produce a book of your poetry. If you use a print on demand company you only need print a few at a time. You can advertise these online, on your web site, or on your MySpace site.

Contact your local radio station and tell them about your poetry book. They may be interested in interviewing a local writer. The more publicity you can get the better. As well as hopefully selling a few books it will also get your name known.

Likewise, contact your local newspaper and see if they will do a write up on you, with your achievements to date and a photograph of you, thereby publicizing yourself and your book at the same time.

Visit your local book shops and see if they will stock a few copies of your book.

Your aim must be to get your name known in as many places as possible.

Do talks at Writing Groups.

If you are confident to talk about your work and about poetry writing in general, then giving talks at writers groups can earn you a little money. Fees will, of course, depend on the size of the group and the amount of money they can afford to pay.

Schools

Do occasional talks in schools. Although you won't earn money for this you will be helping children to get an interest in poetry, which can only be a good thing for the future of poetry.

Poetry Readings

Go to any poetry readings you see advertised. This will not only get you known but your poetry also.

Any poet must work hard to get his name known and thereby getting his work known. Work hard at it and you will succeed.

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