How to Get Your Poetry Noticed on Instagram Without Using Tacky One-Liners

If you're a poet who writes about politics, equal rights, or other important topics, it can be frustrating to see your work overshadowed by the works of she-poets or even Rupi Kaur’s menstrual blood. But don't despair! We don't mean to crap on she-poets or two-sentence love poems, but just let you know that if you write about politics, or equal rights, or anything else that matters, there is a place for you in this world.

We listened to the challenges faced by members of our community and used that feedback to come up with this article.

I love writing longer poems and I know there are readers here who enjoy them and will take the time to read. But I also know how easy it is to succumb to scrolling (I'm sure we all do it) and that sometimes we just want to read something bite-sized. Posting excerpts is my go-to for when I want to share something deeper but digestible. Kait Quinn

If you are worried your longer pieces are being overlooked on Instagram, we have some tips on how to get them more exposure.

Post a short(er) Excerpt

Some great poets out there post a picture with just an excerpt. This way you can have pretty art that catches the eye and could lead to opening up an entirely new readership. You can just post the excerpt and ‘lure’ the readers in to read the full poem in your book or on your blog, or you can post a sentence that you know will catch the eye of a large readership (keep it short and sweet) and post the rest of the poem in the slides that come after it / link to the poem in your book.

Tag your Poems

I was raised with the notion that it was an ugly thing to ask for attention, guess what mum, I am tagging all the big poetry accounts now. When I first started doing this I felt like a spammy little bitch, but now it has become second nature. Huge accounts like @poets and @buttonpoetry can really send a lot of readers your way. Besides tagging big accounts, also make sure you use the right hashtags. You might want to post up to thirty of those in your first comment so that you keep a nice and clean caption. Tips on hashtags can be found on display purposes.

Stop fighting the way things Work

It's understandable to be frustrated with the way social media works, especially when it feels like it's not set up to support everyone equally. But deleting your account for the sixth millionth time or refusing to use certain tools to promote your work might not be the best solution. Instead, try to find ways to use social media that align with your values. Remember that by participating in the platform, you have the opportunity to share your voice and make an impact. While it may be tempting to disengage when things feel difficult, doing so could allow the Atticusses in this world to dominate the internet. Please don’t let that happen. Thank you.

Use your platform to stay critical, even if you have to:

Use pictures as backdrops for your Poetry

I think art can be pretty and provocative at the same time, like poetry can be short and incisive, long and beautifully presented. Thinking that pretty or short equals fluff is oversimplifying the equation. Mei

Art can be both aesthetically pleasing and meaningful. As visual creatures, we are naturally drawn to attractive images, and we are not talking about the ‘showing your titties’ trend to sell your poetry books. When you use images to promote your work, it's important to credit the photographers or sources of any images you use in your work, whether you found them through a free resource like Unsplash or obtained permission directly. Using a visually appealing image as a cover for your poem can help attract readers, but be sure to follow copyright laws and respect the rights of photographers. Swiping to read the poem or excerpt can also be an effective way to present your work on Instagram.

Be consistent

People can be resistant to change, and this is especially true when it comes to their social media feeds. If you normally post frequently and suddenly reduce the frequency of your posts, or switch from using black and white backgrounds to colourful floral ones, you may find that some people become upset or confused. This is because humans tend to crave structure and consistency, and deviations from what they expect can be unsettling. However, it's important to remember that it's okay to experiment and try new things with your content, even if it means going against the norm or causing some disruption. It's your creative outlet, after all, and you have the right to change things up as you see fit.

Interact, read, comment

It’s called social media for a reason. You will have to spend some time on it in order to build your community. No one likes talking to a wall. If someone comments on your post, they took the time to read your poem and write their thoughts about it. This is a huge privilege. They spent some of their precious time on you. The least you can do is say thank you.

I really do feel like the more profound pieces are sometimes overlooked, especially if they're lengthier than the one or two-liners that everyone seems drawn to. It can make you feel like your work isn't being appreciated the way it deserves to be. These Framed Thoughts

Post at the best times

Posting at the right time can help increase the chances that your poetry will be seen and appreciated. Research suggests that certain times of day are more popular for scrolling on Instagram, and by posting during these periods, you may be able to reach a larger audience. Keep in mind that the best times to post can vary depending on your location, audience, and other factors, so it may be worth experimenting with different posting schedules to see what works best for you. You can also use analytics tools to track the performance of your posts and get a better understanding of when your audience is most active.

And last but not least:

Don’t give up

Unless you are born into a literary community or with a golden spoon in your mouth, it might take a while to get noticed. Keep going, keep developing your voice, and edit and republish. Change your mind about your chosen format and reinvent your account, but don’t erase it, we need your voice and your passion. Now get off this blog and start pimping your Instagram. Ours can be found here.

We want to thank our Instagram community for participating in this discussion.