Poet Business Institute

To Know how to write better poetry, one starting place is the verbs you use. Verbs are action words; they add nuance in time and space. However, different verb forms have different roles, with some verb forms moving time and others stalling progression. By better understanding the use of verbs in your writing, you can better craft the experience of your poetry's readers. This is the fifth sect...

When I tell people I live on poetry, the first reaction is often surprise. Yet, the reality is that poets can live on the art--the poems and writing--they bring into the world. The key is to remember that we use poetry not as an endgoal of itself, but as a means to help people become who they desire or achieve what they wish to accomplish. Lets discuss the strategies I use to regularly incorporate...

What is the actual mission behind your art? In this final installment of our series, we dive deep into the importance of intentionality and focus for poets and creators. We explore why name recognition alone isn't enough and how having a specific theme or project can launch your career further than a general "open mic" ever could. We also discuss the concept of "Ikigai" for...

Why do some poets struggle to find their audience while others seem to have a "mountain of value" to offer? In this episode of Arts & Offers, we dive deep into the data behind why casual conversations often outperform polished poetry readings and how YOU can use that to your advantage. See part 3: https://youtu.be/cNmwi7_DkSA We discuss:The power of "framing" your art for s...

What does it actually take to build an audience as a poet today? After two seasons of hosting poets as poetry features on "The Micro Mic", I’m sharing 5 critical lessons learned as a host, organizer, and poet. See part 2: https://youtu.be/d4t4Eg6loRMGet a free audio/mp3/podcast version at https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5PWrite with us at the Substation: www.diversespoe...

What does it take to turn ten years of solitude and survival into a published poetry collection? Join us for an intimate conversation with poet McKendy Fils-Aime as we discuss his debut collection, sipèstisyon, published by YesYes Books. In this interview, McKendy opens up about the "first book allegations"—navigating difficult family themes, the role of therapy in his creative process,...

Who is in control of the narrative, and who is simply along for the ride? In this episode of Fine Print, we are diving deep into "Spoons and Leaves" by Samantha R. Sharp to explore the critical role of agency in poetry. We often talk about what a poem says, but today we’re looking at how it moves. By tracking who holds the power and who lacks it within the text, we can uncover how tensio...

In this episode of the Creative Companionship Book Club, we’re diving back into Daniel Priestley’s Key Person of Influence to challenge the traditional path of publishing. While every poet dreams of their first collection, there are strategic reasons why a "book of influence"—like an essay collection, a workbook, or a book of tips—might be a better move for your professional poetry caree...

If you want to start an art business or poetry business, you'll eventaully have opportunities to pitch and describe what it is that you do. Let's turn to Daniel Priestley's Key Person Of Influence for help! If you have not had to pitch yourself before, even if it is just to answer a question like "so what do you do", then it can be helpful to prepare for that moment to better...

How To Keep Poetry Readers EngagedStruggling to keep readers engaged with your poetry? In this episode of Fine Print, Geoff with an 'O' breaks down the "People Hide Their Love" by Wu-ti to show you exactly how to stage a poem for maximum impact. Learn how to use line length, punctuation, and different sentence structures to maintain your reader's interest and keep them wantin...

How do you get people to find your poetry event, register, book themselves, reserve, save a seat--whatever wording you use, how do you get people to save themselves a spot in a class, workshop, event, webinar, or call? Even a simple Google Calendar may be enough to get the job done! Yet, it can be tricky when you need to handle payments, limit seats, and send links or event info to people who regi...

This the last video of our poetry/writing Youtube series! If you are thinking of how to start a poetry Youtube channel, a writing Youtube channel (or really any artistic discipline) this is your video! diVERSES founder Geoff Anderson spoke with Quotidian Writer's Diane Callahan to each compile a list of the 5 essential tips for starting a writing Youtube channel over a 3-part series. We each u...

If you are thinking of how to start a poetry Youtube channel, a writing Youtube channel (or really any artistic discipline) this is your video! diVERSES founder Geoff Anderson spoke with Quotidian Writer's Diane Callahan to each compile a list of the 5 essential tips for starting a writing Youtube channel over a 3-part series. We each use Youtube for our professional, artistic endeavors and co...

If you are thinking of how to start a poetry Youtube channel, a writing Youtube channel (or really any artistic discipline) this is your video! diVERSES founder Geoff Anderson spoke with Quotidian Writer's Diane Callahan to each compile a list of the 5 essential tips for starting a writing Youtube channel over a 3-part series. We each use Youtube for our professional, artistic endeavors and co...

In this episode of Pour Over Poems, we dive deep into the world of self-publishing—not just as a way to get your work out there, but as a radical act of art and activism. We explore how taking control of your own narrative allows for unfiltered expression and creates space for voices that are often marginalized in traditional publishing, while also controlling how and when your work enters the wor...

Are poetry competitions worth your time and entry fees? In this video, we're breaking down exactly how to win poetry competitions by understanding what judges look for, plus the crucial signs that tell you when it’s time to walk away from a contest. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, navigating the world of literary prizes can be overwhelming. We’ll cover:The Winning St...

How To Frame Your Poem To Hook Readers As You WriteStruggling to keep readers engaged with your poetry? In this episode of Fine Print, Geoff with an 'O' breaks down the "Gentle Wind" by Fu Hsuan to show you exactly how to stage a poem for maximum impact. Learn how to use "doubling"—the technique of repeating structures in pairs—to build trust with your reader before com...

Poetry reality show with Diane: https://youtu.be/36Lb_pVWPvg Poetry panel on writing about the home across time with Diane: https://youtu.be/QFYtpdyGqQo Welcome to Pour Over Poems, where host poet Geoff Anderson invites a poet out for coffee to hear one of their poems and then see where the discussion goes. Join us for a discussion with poet Diane Callahan as we discuss the role of contrast in wri...

The first episode on Daniel Priestley's Key Person Of Influence for poets who want to live on poetry: https://youtu.be/-6qlOyAL-6IWrite with us at the Substation: www.diversespoetry.com/aboutsubstationWelcome to the Creative Companionship Book Club, where we take business texts and discuss how to use their techniques to create a poetry business we'd be proud to run. This is our second dive...

This Arts & Offers video podcast episode is to celebrate the return of our poem analysis show, Fine Print! Fine Print is about close reading poems, marginalia, and analyzing what is going on in poems so we can better learn what is possible in the art of poetry. Come analyze a poem with us! We'll be going through the poem bit by bit and identifying structures that seem central to the piece&...

Welcome to Pour Over Poems, where host poet Geoff Anderson invites a poet out for coffee to hear one of their poems and then see where the discussion goes. Join us for a discussion with poet Nathan McDowell as we discuss who family history, how to write about how we identify as, and people.#diVERSES #poetry #PourOverPoems

Welcome to Pour Over Poems, the poetry podcast where host poet Geoff Anderson invites a poet out for coffee to hear one of their poems and then see where the discussion goes. Join us for a discussion with poet Kip Knott as we discuss who we write for, how poets start writing, and the forces that can actually hold our poetry back.

diVERSES just celebrated the inaugural diVERSES Poetry Book Fair, organized by poet Geoff Anderson as a celebration of poetry though showcases for books and a rolling series of panels on topics related to publishing, poetry, and writing held at the Stanza, Columbus's first and only poetry venue. And there were a lot of lessons learned and visions come to fruition, especially at a time when the...

Episode 1 of the Semester from the Poet Business Institute: https://youtu.be/aq8WM0VbKq4Today's class from the Semester: as you create your poetry business or art business, don't go it alone! Collaboration is a way to help more people--including the person you collaborate with! By joining forces, you can have a stronger impact and create what otherwise may be more challenging. Let's ta...

Episode 1 of the Semester from the Poet Business Institute: https://youtu.be/aq8WM0VbKq4Today's class from the Semester: as you create your poetry offer and even poetry business, you may find yourself in position to show your work, or insights, or experience, or offer itself online. This can take the form of flyers, audio projects like podcasts, videos, recorded interviews, graphics--a variety...