30/30 POETRY CHALLENGE : A WASTE OF TIME?
Egads, what’s this quiet roar I hear fastly approaching in the distance causing sweat in my palms to trickle down my pen?
PREPARE THYSELF
IT’S THE DREADED 30/30 CHALLENGE!
National Poetry Month is around the corner and one of the main ways poets across America celebrate is by participating in the 30 for 30 Poetry Challenge (also known as 30/30)
30/30 Challenges poets to write a poem a day for the whole month of April.
There’s been a lot of push back and pressure when it comes to the 30/30…
Every year I see poets say they’re refusing to take part in the challenge…
ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR?
“Gah, I know everyone is pushing me to do it, but it seems like so much pressure for so little return.”
“I don’t need to do the 30/30 to prove I’m a poet!”
“I always start off strong but then drop half way through.”
“I’m too busy with other projects.”
“I joined some facebook groups for the April challenge, but no one likes my poems or comments, I don’t receive any support.”
LORD HONEY, I UNDERSTAND.
I’ve participated in the 30/30 personally for years and I’ve often thought to myself
“Is this a waste of time?”
That is until…
I looked at what the purpose of National Poetry Month is and how 30/30 can be used as a business move.
It’s amazing what you’ll discover when you have an entrepreneurial mindset!
LOVE IT OR HATE IT, THE 30/30 CHALLENGE CAN WORK TO YOUR ADVANTAGE…
To understand how 30 poems in 30 days can truly benefit you,
here are 6 reasons the Academy of American Poets founded National Poetry Month.
To highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American Poets.
To encourage the reading of poems.
To assist teachers in bringing poetry into their classrooms.
To increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media.
To encourage increased publication and distribution of poetry books.
To encourage support for poets and poetry.
Sounds pretty amazing when listed out in a blog…
but how many poets are ACTUALLY reaping the benefits?
Especially when 30/30 takes up a lot of time and effort?
DAY 12 OF 3O/30
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN :
1-5 on this list are focused around promotion.
National Poetry Month should be a time of publicity for you to pack events, (Use the Holiday to market events, you’ll also show up in more searches) and sell more books or albums.
When applied to 30/30 in a strategic way, you gain bigger promotion.
SEO MARKETING:
If you know the challenge is trending in April, use it in your SEO marketing and hashtags on social media.
“ TIP: If you aren’t promoting your albums/books during April you’re missing out on major money!”
Poetry lovers all over the world will be paying attention to National Poetry Month in the news, social platforms and everywhere else.
Use the language in what you post to get in front of your potential followers and customers.
STOP HIDING YOUR 30/30 POEMS
Most poets don’t like sharing their poems online,
some even won’t join a 30/30 group because of how many publishers consider it self publishing.
If a publisher knows you’ve posted the poem on social media, they’ll refuse the submission.
BUT...
If this is your first draft, then there’s nothing to fear.
The poem you share today won’t be the same poem after editing.
SHARING YOUR POEMS CAN LEAD TO MORE BUYERS
AND FOLLOWERS QUICKLY.
If you have a youtube channel, post a video poem a day and watch your subscribers jump in numbers!
Want to drive more people to your products? Share your poem with a “want more?” call to action with a link to your book or album.
Use your instagram to post your 30/30 with hashtags to increase followers.
“TIP: Make sure you have links to your merch in your instagram bio! ”
STOP JOINING JUST ANY FACEBOOK 30/30 GROUP
Some publishing companies have their own 30/30 writing groups, if you do some digging you can find editors creating their own groups...
That means:
If there’s a publishing company you want to get featured in, you need to be joining THEIR mailing list and groups for 30/30.
Not only can you get a better idea of what they want to publish by how they interact or give prompts,
you’ll be networking with poets that can get your foot in the door for more publishing opportunities.
“TIP: Under the staff tab on publication websites, you’ll find the name, social info and email of the editors.”
HOW IT WORKS.
Two Sylvias Press is asking for people to join their mailing list. By doing so, you’ll receive prompts each week for 30/30.
What they’re doing is giving you the kind of content they want to publish!
I guarantee you the poems created by the prompts they send have a better chance at getting accepted.
Want access to groups WITH opportunities?
Check this online summit here
BE GOAL ORIENTED
The number one mistake I see poets make in April is not being goal oriented.
It’s one thing to create 30 poems in 30 days, it’s another to have the first draft for your next book or album.
“TIP: Don’t get caught in random prompts.”
If you’re further along in writing and ready to start producing merchandise for profit,
following along with 30/30 prompts is like shooting yourself in the foot.
Just don’t do it.
Find a theme to write around for 30/30 so that by the end you have a collection of poems that can be turned into a book.
(Get access to theme ideas here!)
BREAK THE RULES
Got poems that need editing?
Try editing a poem each day for 30 days,
not only will you have 30 poems ready to submit to publish,
but you’ll also get a closer to that next chapbook to put out.
LAST ON THE LIST
Number 6 on the list for the meaning behind National Poetry Month is focused around offering poets support.
If you find yourself fizzling out midway through April, guess what?
You aren’t being supported.
THERE’S NO REASON WHY A POET CAN’T FINISH THE 30/30 CHALLENGE
IF THEY HAVE THE RIGHT SUPPORT.
If you’re part of a 30/30 group and they aren’t offering tips or encouragement,
get out and find a group that is.
The National Poetry Month Summit offers a ton of encouragement, tips, advice and support PLUS feedback.
Not only will you get some effective strategies for tackling April like a boss,
you’ll get access to ways to MONETIZE National Poetry Month.
Sign Up for the Summit and get one email every week full of
Support
Hottest events
30/30 Groups and strategies
Self care tips for poets
Publishing opportunities
Feedback and more…
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH ISN’T A WASTE OF TIME,
IT’S THE BEST TIME TO GET OUT THERE AND MAKE BIG MOVES.
Get out there and shine creatives, remember…
I stay striving, to keep you thriving!
Don’t forget to share this blog to help other poets - let’s build our community up!
