Starting a poetry blog is a fun way to share your thoughts on poetry – and earn some money while you’re at it.
At Authority Hacker, we’ve helped 15,000+ students create successful blogs – including some in the poetry niche.
We’ve also unlocked the secrets of earning money from blogging. Here’s a small fraction of the income we’ve made from our blogging endeavors:
To help you find similar success, we’ve created this 10-step guide on starting a poetry blog.
Why Start a Poetry Blog
Whether you’re a poet or a poetry enthusiast, there are several reasons for starting a poetry blog.
First, let’s talk about income potential. A poetry blog can generate revenue through various means, including affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling your own poetry collections.
Your blog also becomes a canvas for self-expression. It’s a place to pour your creativity into words, share your passion, and inspire others along the way.
Another reason to create a poetry blog is to self-publish or build an online portfolio. If you aspire to be a published author, a blog is an easy way to showcase your work to potential publishers or literary agents.
Examples of Successful Poetry Blogs
Before you start writing your own poetry blog, take a page from those already succeeding in the niche.
Here are some examples of exceptional poetry blogs for inspiration:
My Poetic Side
My Poetic Side shares literary news and poems from around the world. Featuring a diverse collection allows for a connection with a wide-ranging poetic community.
Write Out Loud
Write Out Loud is all about spoken word poetry. It’s a stage for poets to perform their work and engage with a lively community of spoken-word artists.
A Pretty Kettle of Poetry
A Pretty Kettle of Poetry combines poetry with imagery. This unique blend of artistic expression and lyrical verses provides an enhanced experience.
How To Start a Poetry Blog in 10 Steps
Let’s walk through the ten essential steps to starting a poetry blog.
1 Narrow Down Your Poetry Niche
Narrowing down your niche is the first step to starting your own poetry blog.
Poetry has many sub-niches, including sonnets, haikus, free verse, spoken word, and more. And that doesn’t even include all of the themes you can write poetry about, such as love, spirituality, and loss.
Your blog should focus on a specific sub-niche to attract a dedicated audience and stand out from the competition.
To find the right sub-niche for you, begin by exploring your own poetic passions and areas of expertise.
Are you drawn to the distinct rhythm and wit of limericks or classic poetry from famous poets? Find what you’re most passionate about and run with it.
For inspiration, here are some potential sub-niches you can choose from:
- Haikus and Micropoetry: Craft miniature masterpieces.
- Sonnets and Traditional Forms: Embrace structured elegance.
- Blank Verse and Free Verse: Unleash your creativity, unbound my rhyme or meter.
- Spoken Word: Unleash the power of voice and performance.
- Nature Poems: Celebrate the beauty of the natural world.
- Love and Relationships: Explore the depths of the human heart.
- Social and Political Poetry: Channel your passion for change.
For a deeper dive into niche selection, check out our list of expert tips in this YouTube video:
However, passion isn’t enough. To build an audience and make money, you must consider the traffic potential within your niche.
Here’s how you qualify a niche for traffic:
Identify successful blogs within your potential niches. Use blog aggregators such as FeedSpot or perform keyword-based Google searches. Ahrefs‘ “Organic Competitors” feature can provide a list of poetry blogs with a dedicated following.
Analyze traffic levels. Use a free trial of SE Ranking to see how much traffic each website gets.
Consult Google Trends. If you’re unsure which sub-niche to choose, use Google Trends to compare their search traffic.
While choosing the right niche is important, don’t overthink it. It’s better to make a decision and keep moving than get caught in analysis paralysis.
2 Choose a Blogging Platform
Now, it’s time to choose a platform for your poetry blog.
A blogging platform is software that lets you publish your blog posts and manage other elements of your blogging endeavors. Without it, you won’t be able to share your content.
Medium and Blogger are popular free blogging platforms that offer simplicity and convenience.
However, these platforms have limitations that may not suit the ambitions of a serious blogger.
Building a website is the wiser choice. Here’s why:
- You have absolute control over your website, words, and creative canvas.
- No one can shut down your website or remove your content.
- You have more blog monetization options. You can sell affiliate products, run display ads, and explore other revenue-earning strategies.
- You can harness the power of search engine optimization (SEO) and social media to drive traffic to your site.
- You can build an email list to diversify your audience. This helps shield your blog traffic from unpredictable algorithm changes.
For website-building, WordPress.org (not WordPress.com) is the way to go. It offers unparalleled control for self-hosted bloggers. And it’s free!
No need to worry if the technical stuff seems challenging at first. WordPress is easy to use and has lots of plugins and themes to enhance your poetry blog.
While WordPress is the best blogging platform, there are other options you can explore.
3 Choose Your Domain Name
Next up is picking a domain name.
A domain name is the unique web address of your blog. It combines your blog name with an extension like .com.
Picking a great domain is important. It’s the cornerstone of your blog’s branding and online identity, and it must be memorable and relevant.
Here are six essential tips for finding a great domain name:
- Keep it short and simple. Short names are catchier and easier to remember.
- Use a .com domain. .com domains carry a sense of trust and authority that other extensions lack. If you have a great name with an unavailable .com, check our list of .com alternatives.
- Portray your niche. Your domain name should make it easy to understand what your niche is.
- Check for trademarks. Use a trademark search tool to ensure your chosen name is free from trademark entanglements.
- Think of your blog’s future. Select a broad name that will allow you to expand your focus as your blog grows.
- Test it out. Before finalizing your domain name, share it with family and friends for feedback. They might offer valuable insights and perspectives you hadn’t considered.
Need a few creative ideas? Use an AI domain generator like Brandsnap to find unique and available domain names.
Once you choose your name, you’ll need to buy it. You can use Namecheap to get your domain for about $10 per year.
4 Buy Web Hosting
The next step in starting a poetry blog is to buy web hosting.
Web hosting is a service that provides the infrastructure needed to store and maintain a website on a server. Once hosted, your website is accessible to readers worldwide.
While many bloggers recommend Bluehost due to its low price, we recommend SiteGround. It offers much better value and reliability at a slightly higher price.
Here’s a straightforward guide to securing web hosting with SiteGround:
Step 1: Begin by visiting SiteGround’s WordPress hosting page.
Step 2: Choose the StartUp plan. It’s the most budget-friendly option and perfect for launching your new WordPress blog. Note that the price will increase after the first 12 months.
Step 3: Select the option that states, “I already have a domain,” and enter your chosen name into the provided field. (While SiteGround offers domain registration, Namecheap tends to be more cost-effective.)
Step 4: Fill in your account and location details.
Step 5: Enter payment details and choose your preferred subscription period. The 12-month plan often offers the best overall value.
Step 6: Skip any promotional extra services offered. These are unnecessary for a new blog.
Step 7: Lastly, you must point your Namecheap domain name to your new SiteGround server. If you need help with this step, follow this guide or reach out to SiteGround’s support team.
Congratulations! Your WordPress poetry blog now has web hosting.
5 Choose a Theme For Your Poetry Blog
The next step is to choose a WordPress theme to add to your blog.
A theme is a collection of files that give your blog its visual appeal and structure.
A well-designed theme can enhance your content and make navigation seamless. It also sets the mood for your poetic expression and helps to leave a lasting impact.
The first choice you’ll face is whether to go with a free or premium theme.
Free themes can cut costs early on but also hit you with limitations as your blog grows. Switching from a free theme to a different premium theme can be frustrating, as you’ll likely have to redesign certain elements of your website.
That’s why I recommend using a “freemium” theme that lets you start with a free version and upgrade to a premium version as your blog grows.
My favorite freemium themes are GeneratePress, Astra, and Kadence. Each makes it easy to customize your site without needing a developer.
To install a theme for your poetry blog, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Step 2: In the left sidebar, go to “Appearance” and select “Themes.”
Step 3: Click “Add New.”
Step 4: Search for your chosen theme (e.g., GeneratePress) and click “Activate.”
With your theme in place, you can adjust colors, fonts, and layouts to align with your poetry blog’s unique look.
6 Decide on Design & Branding
Now, let’s work on your site’s design and branding.
Your design choices should reflect your blog’s niche. For example, a blog about romantic or classical poetry might have a palette of soft, muted colors like blush pinks, creams, and light blues coupled with script fonts, floral motifs, and ornate borders.
While designing your website involves many elements, we’re going to focus on two essentials – selecting a color palette and crafting a logo for your website.
You can choose your color scheme with Coolors, which automatically generates complementary colors until you find a set you like.
Next, you’ll need to design a logo that suits your chosen theme and color palette. I recommend using Canva for this.
Search for “poetry logo” on Canva and choose a design that resonates with your poetic vision.
Add your blog’s name, adjust the colors to match your chosen palette, and that’s it – your logo is finished!
7 Create Essential Pages
Now, it’s time to create five essential pages that every successful blog should feature.
Homepage
Your homepage is the first page your visitors see. It should highlight key content and convey your blog’s theme.
About Page
Use this page to provide information about yourself and your blog. Connect with your audience by sharing personal anecdotes and the inspiration behind your website.
Contact Page
This page should contain a contact form and links to your social media accounts.
Sharing information like your address and phone number can enhance SEO, but these details are unnecessary for a new blog.
Privacy Policy + Terms & Conditions Pages
These pages inform visitors of site usage rules and how you handle user data. You can use PrivacyPolicies.com to generate the text for these.
To create a new page for your website, simply login to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the “Pages” menu, and select “Add New.”
8 Start Creating Content
It’s finally time to write some blog posts!
But before you create your first post, you need to come up with a strategy for your content. I recommend using a keyword-focused content strategy, which involves writing content targeting specific keywords that people are entering into search engines like Google.
If you write great posts about popular keywords, Google may show your content when someone types in your target keyword. This will drive steady traffic to your website without the need for more in-depth promotional strategies.
Many beginners start by writing about the keywords with the most traffic, but this is a mistake. High traffic also means high competition from large websites, and your new blog will have a hard time ranking for the most popular keywords.
That’s why I recommend targeting keywords with decent monthly search volumes and low competition. You can use the Ahrefs Keyword Explorer to find these.
For instance, when I put “slam poetry” in the Ahrefs Explorer, I get the following related keywords and search metrics:
| Keyword | Search Volume | Keyword Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| what is slam poetry | 1.7K | 26 |
| slam poetry examples | 1.2K | 12 |
| how to write slam poetry | 500 | 2 |
| slam poetry topics | 300 | 5 |
Use these keywords to create 10 titles for blog posts. Here are some examples:
- What Is Slam Poetry? A Complete Guide
- How to Write Slam Poetry That Resonates: A Step-By-Step Tutorial
- 11 Clever Slam Poetry Topics
Once you’ve got your titles, you can finally start writing. Here are some helpful tips for making the best poetry content possible.
- Understand the search intent. Consider why a reader might explore your chosen poetic topic. Ensure your content caters to their curiosity or need for poetic insights.
- Remember who your audience is. Determine whether your visitors are poetry enthusiasts or newcomers. Your content should resonate with their level of interest and understanding.
- Write about poetic techniques and literary devices. Create content that explains various poetic techniques like imagery, metaphor, alliteration, and rhyme schemes. Use examples to illustrate these concepts.
- Offer writing tips for aspiring poets. Share tips and advice for writing poetry, such as how to find inspiration, develop a unique voice, or edit and refine poems.
- Make your content scannable and easy to read. Ensure your content is easy to read and engage with. Use concise paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings to enhance clarity and reader retention.
- Use internal linking. Link your content to related poetic themes or topics covered in other articles. This enriches your visitors’ experience and enhances your blog’s visibility in search engines.
- Be wary of copyright laws. When using images or poetry from others, ensure you have the proper permissions or use copyright-free resources. This applies to both modern and classic poetry by unknown or famous poets.
Remember that consistency and authenticity are your poetic companions on this journey. Let your unique voice shine through, and your poetry blog will flourish!
9 Promote Your Poetry Blog
Writing SEO-optimized articles will naturally generate traffic, but it may take a while. You can drive some initial visitors to your website using these promotional tactics:
- Organize local poetry events. Organize poetry reading events at local cafes or bookstores, where poets can share their work. You can promote your blog at these events to connect with a local audience.
- Leverage social media platforms. Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to share snippets of your poetry, blog post teasers, and poetry-related content.
- Participate in poetry podcasts. Either start your own poetry podcast or participate as a guest on existing poetry podcasts.
- Join online communities. Find online communities and forums to share your blog posts and engage with fellow poets. You can also host virtual poetry workshops or discussions to showcase your expertise.
- Interview local poets. Conduct interviews with local poets and feature their work on your blog. This promotes your blog and highlights the talents of poets in your area, drawing local attention.
Remember to be authentic and helpful when promoting your blog. Don’t just spam it wherever you can – no one likes that.
10 Monetize Your Poetry Blog
With a steady traffic flow established, you’re ready to monetize your poetry blog.
Here are three effective methods for turning your poetic passion into a source of income:
Affiliate Marketing
This approach involves recommending poetry products or services you genuinely appreciate. You earn a commission when your visitors buy through your unique affiliate links.
Why It’s Great: It benefits both you and your audience. You provide valuable recommendations, and in return, you receive compensation for your efforts.
How to Get Started: Dive into our comprehensive guide on how to start affiliate marketing and check our list of the best affiliate programs for beginners.
Display Ads
Displaying ads on your blog can generate revenue when visitors view or click on them. This method allows you to turn user engagement into income.
Why It’s Great: It doesn’t require your visitors to spend money directly, and you can capitalize on user engagement for earnings. Our affiliate marketing statistics show that ads go hand-in-hand with affiliate marketing, as 82% of marketers earning 6 figures use both ads and affiliate to monetize their blogs.
How to Get Started: The most straightforward way is to join an ad network. For beginners, we suggest Ezoic as they don’t have a minimum traffic threshold. You can also explore direct sponsorships, offering more control and potentially higher profits.
Selling Your Own Products
Craft and sell your own poetry-related products, such as poetry books or online courses.
Why It’s Great: You can create premium content and receive direct support from your dedicated fans.
How to Get Started: Publish an ebook on Amazon or use educational platforms like Teachable to launch a course.
Summing Up
Starting a poetry blog is a beautiful journey of self-expression, creativity, and potential financial gain. But remember, the world of blogging is vast, and there’s always more to learn.
Over the years, we’ve seen countless poetry blogs come and go. The ones that thrive? They continually educate themselves, stay updated with industry trends, and are always eager to learn from those who’ve walked the path before.
That’s why we’ve put together an exclusive free training.
Drawing from our extensive experience in building successful blogs, this training unveils 7 game-changing strategies that can boost your blog’s growth by an impressive 83%.
If you’re serious about starting a poetry blog, this is the next step.
FAQs
You can make money off a poetry blog through a variety of methods, such as affiliate marketing and display ads. Additionally, you can sell poetry collections or offer personalized poems for special occasions. You can even explore crowdfunding platforms for dedicated supporters.
The best blogging platform for poetry is WordPress.org. This platform is great for beginners and offers a range of customizable options.
Other popular platforms include Medium, AllPoetry, Commaful, and Blogger, each offering unique features for its users. Ultimately, the best blogging platform for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences as a poet.
