Poems
Poetry requires a wordsmith with
lots of diction, imagination and emotion. It’s a complex bit of writing that
can be learned or naturally developed.
Poets have had a very difficult time
reaching their audience. Making any kind of income from the art form seems
impossible.
It is difficult to make money writing
poetry however some writers have found ingenious ways to turn their passion
into profit. So what are the opportunities available open to poets who wish to
earn a decent income.
Trying to get your collection of
poems published is a nightmare because the writing style is not in high demand.
There are a few ways writers can make money writing poems some of which shall
be explained bellow.
How
to Make Money from Poems
Publish a Book
The first and most obvious strategy
to launch your poems is to publish a book. How to publish the book is the first
obstacle.
Literary agents wouldn’t accept poetry while
main stream publishers prefer established poets, fiction writers and academic
work.
Publishing your anthology with trade publishers
is a waste of your time and effort. This is because trade publishers wouldn’t
accept your script. Don’t despair because you have four other publishing
platforms for your poems.
Subsidy Publishers
You can publish your poems with a
subsidy publisher because nine out of ten they would accept your work. This is
because you are compelled to put up money to support your dream.
Subsidy publishing requires the
author to part with a certain percentage of the cost of the first few
publications.
The initial amount invested by the
authors run as high as 40% of the initial publication. With subsequent
publications the author’s investment reduces exponentially until no payment is
needed.
Subsidy publishing is an expensive
venture however a top subsidy publisher will actively participate in the
success of your book. Your book might become a success and achieve mainstream recognition
and endorsement.
Self
Publishing
Under self publishing you have two
options either publishing your work offline or online. Publishing offline is
easy if you know how to go about it.
Apparently I have worked in a publishing
house for several years. To self publish offline you need to go through the
developmental stages or hire a professional printer for guidance.
The few stages to publishing your
book offline involves typesetting the poems and arranged into book format. Then
the printer makes the plates, prints the pages and includes a bounded cover.
You can determine the number of
books to be printed according to your financial investment.
How to Self Publish Your Poems on Kindle Direct Publishing
How to Self Publish Your Poems on Kindle Direct Publishing
Use Online Resources
Publishing your poems online is even easier
than publishing it offline. You even have a wider audience that cut across the
globe.
Publishing online is easy, first sign
up with a top website like Amazon kindle, smashword.com or Lulu.com
Upload your manuscript and offer it as
an eBook to potential buyers. Usually these platforms have virtual stores
around the world where people purchase your poetry.
To sell hardcover or soft cover bound books use
Amazons Create Space a print on demand service. Many online publishing websites
have print on demand service to convert the book into print.
You can use this simple method to publish
hundreds of your publication. You can purchase the printed format online and sell
them offline to bookstores.
Submit
Poems for Money
There are
very limited options for poets when it comes to submitting poems for money.
Over the years very little investment or capital is allocated to such endeavors
but luckily there are a few good prospects.
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Start
a Greeting Card Business
Poetry is a specialized field and
very few people have the gift for words. If you know how to write short poems
and heartfelt messages you can consider writing greeting cards.
Greeting cards are in high demand
from wedding cards, birthdays, valentine celebrations, anniversaries and
holidays. Many poets have found greeting card business very lucrative.
They write for customers directly or make
special occasion cards for sale. A writer could make samples and offer them to
Banks, Financial houses, companies, and schools.
A writer could partner with an artist
to create specialized cards. The artist designs the cards and you write the
words.
Greeting card business is very lucrative
and a good way for poets to earn income. Alternately write for greeting card
companies such as Blue Mountain Arts or American Greetings.
Contribute
Poems to Article Directories
You can earn commission through
advertisement placed on a blog. The products advertised should be relevant to
the subject of your poem.
Some revenue sharing websites allow poems
on their websites. They monetize your content through third party affiliate
marketing.
The amount of money you earn from
such posting is at best passive income. Some organize in house poetry
competitions that have monetary value, prizes or gift card rewards.
Become a Freelancer
Do you know that you can offer your
services on freelance membership sites to clients? Take on assignments for a
fee and earn immediate gratification. Try selling your poems on websites such
as Fiverr.
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Sell Branded Items
Inscribe
your words on T-shirts, jackets and cloths. You can make a lot of money
customizing items such as mugs, plates, glassware, and various household items.
11 Ways
to make money writing poems
1 Start a Greeting Card Business
2 Contribute to article directories
3 Self publish
4 Author an eBook
5 Submit poems to competitions
6 Start a creative venture
7 Submit your poems to literary
magazines
8 Sell Branded Items
9 Become
a Freelancer
10 Publish
print on demand books
11 Build your own Poetry Blog
12 Publish a book with Trade
Publishers
13 Teach poetry writing
Submit your Poems to Literary magazines
A
list of such magazines includes Orion Magazine, Ploughshares, Rattle, Boulevard
Magazine and VQR Online. Others are Three Penny Review, Chicken Soup for the
Soul and Grain Literary Magazine.
Conclusion
To make money writing poems isn’t
easy however some people have found ways to earn income doing what they love. Why
not start a poetry blog and monetize it through products and advert placement,
contextual advertisement or text ads.
Enter top competitions or self
publish your work. Try submitting your poems to magazines and literary
journals.
You can teach poetry or create amazing
greeting cards. To earn income with poems think outside the box and be very
creative.
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