Why Name Recognition Isn’t Enough For A Poetry Career

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 poets—finding the sweet spot between your passion, your expertise, what the world needs, and what can sustain you. Whether you're thinking about hosting your own shows, self-publishing, or questioning the traditional submission systems, this conversation is about making your vision plain and tangible.See part 1: https://youtu.be/E4wW1sFuT4YGet a free audio/mp3/podcast version at https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5PWrite with us at the Substation: www.diversespoetry.com/aboutsubstationKey takeaways:Why "the right 1,000 people" are more valuable than 100,000 of the wrong ones.Moving away from problematic submission systems toward self-reliance.Understanding the "Why" behind your projects (like a book launch).How knowing who you aren’t defines everything you are.Timestamps00:00 - Finding the connecting link in your shows 00:29 - Why name recognition isn't enough 00:46 - The success of themed shows (The Other Box & New World) 01:45 - Expertise vs. Interest: Staying in your lane 02:24 - The "Ikigai" process for poets 03:18 - Thinking in 1, 5, and 10-year timelines 04:12 - The "Cat Video" Trap: The danger of lack of focus 04:55 - Quality over Quantity: 1,000 of the right people 05:54 - Questioning the ethics of traditional submissions 06:35 - The Rubber Band Metaphor: Pushing the potential of your art 07:20 - Encouraging self-publishing and artist autonomy 08:05 - Anticipating your growth 08:49 - Making your vision tangible (Vision Boards & 3D Space) 10:04 - Understanding your "Why": The story behind the book 11:22 - Is your action in alignment with your mission? 12:01 - "Everything I'm not made me everything I am"#diverses #poetry #artsandoffers