Make a Living As a Poet or Spoken Word Artist
A how to guide on how to make a living as a poet or spoken word artist.
Steps
- Know that writing poetry or spoken word is your passion.
- Don't let anything hold you back from pursuing these careers.
- Be consistent at open mics, poetry readings, poetry Slams, etc.
- Study these art forms, watching others as they make their living.
- Hustle hard, sometimes taking poetry gigs that don't pay.
- Record original poetry and/or spoken word to sell as CDs or MP3s.
- Publish books, especially chapbooks to sell consistently.
- Find paying features that pay for poets to perform or read.
- Work with your local area arts council to work as a poet-in-residence.
- Host open mics and charge an entrance fee or take in donations.
- Put on special events for poets and spoken word artists and charge a fee.
Tips
- Be persistent
- Become friends with venue owners and open mic hosts
- Make solid and lasting connections
- Promote and market yourself consistently
- Network, network, network
- Work hard
- Write and record educational material
- Set up a good website and sell your materials from it
- Perform better than you write
- Make business cards and pass them out
Warnings
- Know your worth as a writer and performer
- Be creative in the ways you market or sale yourself
- Be patient
- Work with good people
- Speak about money when others want to capitalize off your talent
