5 Hard Truths I Learned After 30 Poetry Readings

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.diversespoetry.com/aboutsubstationIn this episode of Arts and Offers, Mathias and I break down the sobering realities of the poetry scene, why your conversations might be more impactful than your performances, and how to create "original thought" that truly resonates with an audience. Whether you're looking to build readership or find your niche, these insights from our channel analytics and live shows will give you a roadmap for growth.Key Topics Covered:Why conversation videos often outperform poetry readings.The importance of "tension" and "newness" in communication.Moving past cliches to arrive at original artistic takes.Using self-recording as a tool for artistic development.The reality of name recognition and impact in local scenes.Watch more from The Micro Mic on our homepage!#Poetry #CreativeBusiness #SpokenWord #ArtsAndOffers #TheMicroMic #PoetryTipsTimestamps00:00 - Introduction: 5 Lessons from 30 Poetry Features 00:23 - Welcome to Arts and Offers: The link between Art & Business 00:34 - What is "The Micro Mic"? 01:00 - Lesson 1: Conversations vs. Performances (Analytics Insight) 01:40 - Why audiences love extemporaneous dialogue 02:24 - The power of "Tension" in communication 03:05 - The challenge of comfort and repetition in poetry 03:55 - Comedy vs. Poetry: Rehearsal and audience reaction 04:58 - Lesson 2: Developing work vs. Showcasing work 05:40 - Moving past cliches to find original artistic stances 06:10 - Real-time thought development on the panel 07:05 - Lesson 3: The "Therapy" of having a sounding board 08:32 - Lesson 4: The value of self-recording and studying your tendencies 10:48 - Lesson 5: The sobering reality of name recognition 12:51 - How to legitimately impact more people with your art 13:58 - Understanding Zipf's Law in the poetry field