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. The information below provides ideas and examples of potential segments that could be lucrative for you. This information is meant to get you started, to 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 when you wrote your poetry? Is the person male or female? In what age group? Where do they shop? When do they buy (Is your poetry devoted to a holiday or a special seasonal period?). What do they buy (pbooks, ebooks or audiobooks?). Why do they buy (Are they seeking a relaxing message? A humorous diversion?). This description 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 get 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?
1) Now that you know where your readers shop, that is where you want to have your book for sale. Examples of retail outlets for poetry could include Christian chain bookstores that sell poetry such as Parable (
http://www.parable.com/) and Cokesbury (
http://www.cokesbury.com/). Look to independent spiritual bookstores such as Bodhi Tree Bookstore
http://www.bodhitree.com/ or sell your books in the Poetry Store (
https://poets.myshopify.com/). 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 a number of unique opportunities and benefits for businesses and corporations.
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/73 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 (
https://awphouston.org/members ) lists its members with hot links to their sites. Offer to customize poetry for their clients.
3) Sell your poems to greeting cards companies. See a list of eight companies that will pay you to write greeting cards at
https://bit.ly/2zQU3iB
4) Contact Yankee Candle (
https://www.yankeecandle.com) and get them to bundle your poetry with a candle to give their customers a soothing event. Offer to customize poems for them to help celebrate Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day or another holiday.
6) What other organizations could use the information in your book? Members of the National Institute of Relationship Enhancement
http://www.nire.org/ and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
http://www.aamft.org/ might use poetry as a membership premium or to resell to members.
How you will promote it?
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. Where to send it? See a list of "161 poet companion sites" at
http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets.htm
2) Write letters to the editor or submit informative articles to magazines or newsletters. What newspapers does your target buyer read? Could they review your book, write about it, or publish your articles about writing poetry? Find a list of all US newspapers at
https://usnpl.com/
7) Time the introduction of your book with special marketing periods (key dates, anniversaries, etc.) relevant to your title. Get on the air in April and talk about 30 Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month (
https://bit.ly/1URBdLg) and to celebrate national Poem In Your Pocket Day (April 14) Find more examples such as these at
www.holidayinsights.com.
8) When you contact appropriate retail outlets tell them you are willing to conduct an in-store event or poetry reading. The Poetry Foundation lists events at which you may read (
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/events) Speak at the National Association for Poetry Therapy's (Year) Conference (
https://bit.ly/2ZTGuJS)
9) Create an author page on Facebook where you can highlight your current and future work. Also, set up an account on Twitter to build your image as an expert, or on LinkedIn to network with like-minded people and prospects. Join groups relevant to your subject matter to build awareness of you and your writing. Follow The Science Fiction Poetry Association on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Science-Fiction-Poetry-Association-SFPA/1....
This information gives you ideas on where and how to market your poetry. Search the Internet for other options in each of these categories for your specific genre of poetry and you will soon learn that rhyme does pay.
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