Tips on Making Your Poetry Public and Sharing Your Voice with the World

Have you written a few poems you want to share with the world? We have some easy ideas for getting your poetry out there and making a name for yourself – and it won’t cost a thing! We’re living in an age where human creativity and connection are more intertwined than ever – meaning it’s not as difficult to share one’s art as it was years ago. Below, we offer some tips on the best avenues when publishing your poems, including digitally and through opportunities like the AVBOB Poetry Project.

Online Poetry Blogs Are on the Rise

Blogs have transformed how poetry is shared and consumed over the last several years. As a poet, starting your own blog can be an empowering way to establish your voice and brand and connect directly with readers. There are ample popular blogging platforms that make creating a digital space for your poems easy.

Tip: If creating and maintaining a personal website feels overwhelming, consider using established blogging sites and submitting your work under clear themes for anyone looking up content like yours .

Social Media for Sharing Bite-Sized Verses

There are several social media platforms you can use to share your work. Platforms like Instagram, with its visual focus, lend themselves to the aesthetic side of poems. By pairing your verses with compelling images or minimalist typography, you can captivate an audience that appreciates the immediate beauty of this form. Other platforms have character limits that challenge you to craft short, impactful lines, while video-sharing sites are a great way to experiment with spoken word performances. Searching for a hashtag such as “#poetrycommunity” on any social media site will bring up countless related posts, proving how easy it is for poets to connect online.

Tip: To stand out online, focus on authenticity and consistent posting. Engage with other poetry pages and readers to grow your following and even inspire collaborations.

Local Arts and Culture Magazines

There has been a solid digital shift in recent years, but print remains popular, with plenty of magazines still dedicated to art and culture. Some of these magazines have e-zines that can be read online, too. If you want opportunities to support the local art scene and share your poems, why not submit a piece or two for publishing?

Tip: Don’t shy away from sending your poems to magazine editors, even if they don’t feature a dedicated poetry section. Your work could inspire them to include it in an upcoming issue – you never know until you try!

Community Platforms and Open Mic Nights

Joining a local art community or attending open mic nights can be a stepping stone to greater visibility as a poet. While these events are typically about live performances, many organisers share recordings online, giving your work a digital footprint.

Tip: Building relationships can open doors and unlock new opportunities, so be sure to actively engage and participate where you can.

Writing Contests that Offer a Gateway to Recognition

Competitions provide exposure and validation for you if your work is selected as a winning piece. The AVBOB Poetry Competition is one such example, offering local talent the chance to see their poems published online and in an annual print anthology. As a platform that celebrates diverse voices and themes, this initiative aims to provide an incredible opportunity for both emerging and established poets, who can submit their verses in all 11 official South African languages.

Tip: Follow The AVBOB Poetry Project on social media to keep up with competition information and guidance on honing your writing skills!

6 Steps to Writing Publishable Poems

Regardless of where you publish, crafting publishable poetry that resonates is essential. Here are some steps to elevate your work:

1. Be Authentic: Write from the heart to connect with readers more deeply.
   
2. Choose Your Subject Wisely: Find culturally relevant, fresh themes to explore.
   
3. Edit Your Work Without Mercy: Revise your poems multiple times, ensuring each line adds value.
   
4. Know Your Audience: Tailor your style and themes to your target platform.
   
5. Keep Experimenting: Don’t shy away from trying new forms or styles. Innovation can set your work apart.
   
6. Seek Feedback: Join writing workshops or share drafts with trusted fellow artists to refine your work.
   

Share in the AVBOB Poetry Project

If you’d like to start writing poetry and want some inspiration to help you along the way, our library offers a collection of thousands of poems you can view for free. To know more about The AVBOB Poetry Project, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.