Hi!

Clever marketing ideas have never been a problem for me... but money is... so I can see where you are coming from. My problems seem so huge compared to yours... there must be something I can do to help.

When I traveled with my music, I'd get my first paid booking as far as I could afford to get and pay for the motel, then I would use the money I got paid and go from there. I have been in 42 states and I never had any money to help me do it. I got tips too... lots of them.
My gimmick was a little soft scuptured man I attached to a computerized instrument... that gave a full band sound. And of course I could sing, too.

The trick is, getting paid to do what you do so you don't have to ask for money... so you have to stand out in the crowd... or lead it yourself.

How did you publish your poetry? Are you using LuLu? Do you have a website to sell it?

Do your poems have a theme? Sometimes you can get paid to speak at different places about how and what you do. Are you a member of any local writer's associations? Can you organize and teach a small poetry seminar and earn money? Can you involve children? Puppets are great at reading poems by the way... and Axtell makes some great ones that are unique!!

Get yourself a gimmick, take some pictures with it and then get paid!

I know I make this sound easy... and I could even be insulting you since poets are usually very serious people. How much personality do you have? You have to shine to make it in today's world, no matter what you do!

Coffee shops are popping up everywhere. Can you "perform" your poetry with a puppet or a musical background... maybe bring the day of the "Beatnick" back... remember that? Where people read poetry in the coffee shops and people would snap their fingers instead of clapping?

If it were me... I would get a pair of bongos and do a complete "return of the beatnick coffee shop" thing... just take your picture with the bongos in a black and white thin striped T-shirt with a red scarf around your neck... and maybe a leather beaded braid around your forhead. Then send your picture and press release out that really brags you and your book up, send it out to all the coffee shops and OFFER to do a poetry reading and sell your books in their coffee shop... They should pay you since they can use your press release to advertise and bring business into their coffee shop. Ask for 75.00 and put out a tip jar. That will at least pay for your stay. (You may have to live cheap for awhile)

Right now I am seeking business investment for something much larger than just my book... but selling it will never be a problem for me... even if I have to go back to singing to foot the bills!


Hope this helps!


Prayers and Lamb Hugs!

LeFerna