Getting readers for your poems takes a mix of strategy, sharing, and sincerity. Poetry has a passionate audience, and with the right approach, your words can find their way into meaningful hands.
There are online Poetic magazines like Rattle, The Sun, Ploughshares, Poetry Magazine, Frontier Poetry, Waxwing, BOAAT, Black Warrior Review, Narrative, and The Offing
Start with 3–5 poems in a single submission (as most allow/require) and follow their guidelines exactly. Use Submittable or Duotrope to track your submissions.
Post Select Poems Online (Strategically). Don’t give away everything, but sharing short poems or excerpts can attract readers. Whether online (like Elusive Workshop) or local, community builds readers. People read your work because you read theirs. Feedback and support create loyal readers.
Poetry is meant to be heard. Attend or host open mics—people remember live voices. Many local events or college readings also stream online now. Post reading videos on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram Reels. Record audio on your blog or newsletter. Chapbooks are short, intimate collections (typically 15–30 poems). Use them to showcase a theme or story. Use Canva to design Share on Gumroad, Payhip, or Ko-fi (free or pay-what-you-want)
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