Lesson 2: Audience Behavior & Where to Find Them

Back to: Take Your Poetry Marketing to the Next Level

Welcome to Lesson 2!

Now that you have a clearer picture of your ideal poetry audience, it’s time to figure out where they are and how they engage with poetry. Knowing where your readers spend their time—whether online or in person—will help you effectively market your work, build relationships, and increase your visibility.

Many poets struggle with finding the right platforms or spaces to share their work. Should you focus on Instagram? Start a Substack newsletter? Submit to literary journals? Or perhaps participate in live poetry readings? The answer depends on your audience. Different readers interact with poetry in different ways, and understanding their behavior will help you choose the best marketing approach.

In this lesson, we will break down where poetry lovers discover new work, how they engage with poets, and the best ways to position yourself where your ideal readers already are.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

✅ Where poetry audiences typically engage with poetry (social media, literary journals, live readings, etc.)

✅ How to identify the best platforms and spaces for your poetry style

✅ How audience behavior differs between online and in-person engagement

✅ How to test and refine your approach based on audience interaction

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a clear strategy for reaching your ideal readers in the places they already spend time.

1. Where Do Poetry Readers Engage?

Poetry is unique because it thrives in many different spaces. Your audience may be found in a combination of the following places:

A. Online Poetry Communities & Platforms

📌 Social Media (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook)

• Instagram poetry is popular for bite-sized, shareable poems (think Rupi Kaur or Atticus).
• TikTok has a thriving #PoetryTok community where poets share spoken word performances, writing tips, and book recommendations.
• Twitter is great for short-form poetry, networking, and engaging in literary discussions.
• Facebook groups cater to poetry workshops, critique circles, and local poetry communities.

📌 Websites, Blogs, and Newsletters

• Some poets build an audience through personal blogs or Substack newsletters.
• Blogging can help with SEO (search engine optimization), allowing readers to find your work organically.
• A newsletter helps create a direct line of communication with readers who want to stay updated on your work.

📌 YouTube & Podcasts

• Spoken word poets and performance artists can use YouTube to share poetry readings and build a fanbase.
• Poetry-focused podcasts are great for in-depth discussions, interviews, and storytelling through verse.

📌 Online Literary Journals & Magazines

• Submitting to literary magazines is a great way to establish credibility and gain exposure.
• Many journals accept digital submissions and publish poetry online for a wider audience.

B. Offline Spaces for Poetry Engagement

📌 Local Poetry Readings & Open Mics

• Spoken word poetry and live readings create an emotional connection with audiences.
• Open mic nights help poets build a local fanbase and receive real-time feedback.

📌 Bookstores, Libraries & Literary Events

• Hosting a poetry reading or book signing at a bookstore or library can introduce your work to new audiences.
• Attending poetry festivals and writer’s conferences provides networking opportunities.

📌 Workshops & Teaching Opportunities

• Many poets grow their audience by offering workshops, leading writing groups, or teaching poetry in schools and community centers.

2. Identifying the Right Spaces for Your Poetry

Now that you know where poetry audiences engage, it’s time to figure out which spaces are best for you.

✅ Step 1: Analyze Your Poetry Style & Format

• Do you write short, Instagram-friendly poetry? → Social media might be your best bet.
• Are you a spoken word poet? → Try TikTok, YouTube, and live events.
• Do you prefer long-form, literary poetry? → Look into literary journals, blogs, and newsletters.

✅ Step 2: Research Where Similar Poets Are Active

• Choose 3 poets whose style or themes are similar to yours.
• Look at their social media, websites, and event schedules.
• Where do they have the most engagement? How do they interact with their audience?

✅ Step 3: Experiment with Multiple Platforms

• If you’re unsure where your audience is, try posting on two or three different platforms.
• Track which posts get the most engagement and where you feel most comfortable sharing your work.

3. How Audience Behavior Differs Between Platforms

Different audiences interact with poetry in different ways. Understanding these behaviors will help you craft the right kind of content.

4. Testing & Refining Your Audience Engagement Strategy

Once you start sharing your poetry in different spaces, it’s important to track your results and refine your approach.

✅ Step 1: Set a 2-Week Experiment

• Choose two or three platforms and post regularly for two weeks.
• Observe engagement: Do people like, comment, or share your work? Are they asking questions or following you?

✅ Step 2: Analyze the Results

• Which platform gave you the best engagement?
• Did one format (written vs. video) perform better?
• Did certain themes in your poetry resonate more than others?

✅ Step 3: Adjust & Focus on What Works

• If you got more engagement on Instagram, focus on refining your visual presentation.
• If your spoken word videos gained traction on TikTok, start posting more consistently.
• If literary magazines accepted your submissions, explore more opportunities in that space.

Lesson 2 Assignment: Finding Your Audience in Action

📝 Assignment:

1. Choose two spaces (social media, a literary journal, an open mic, etc.) where you believe your audience is most active.
2. Engage with 5-10 posts or events in those spaces—leave thoughtful comments, share your own work, or attend an event.
3. Write a 300-word reflection on what you observed:
   • What kind of poetry was most popular?
   • How did audiences engage with the poet’s work?
   • Did anything surprise you?
   • How can you adjust your marketing strategy based on these insights?

Conclusion of Lesson 2

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have:

✅ A better understanding of where your poetry audience is active

✅ A list of the best platforms and spaces for your specific poetry style

✅ Real-world engagement experience in poetry communities

In the next lesson, we’ll explore how to create a compelling poet brand that helps you stand out and attract your ideal audience.