Topic: Getting Read
The Importance of a Title
Your title is your advertisement of your poem. A title can make or break the decision of whether your poem gets read at all. Use the title to suck the audience in. Make the title appealing, but still tie it to the poem. If you can get your reader to at least say ?yes, I?m going to read this poem,? you?ve won half of the battle. Be extra careful to avoid typos in the title. This can be a huge turnoff.
The Opening Lines
Once you get the conscious decision to be read, you need to pull your reader into the poem. The first four lines of your poem will determine whether the rest gets read. Make sure you use these four lines wisely. Use active, descriptive language to lure your reader into your message. Be sure, though, that you save some punch for the last four lines as well. We don?t want a strong beginning only to be left flat at the end.
Errors and Cliche
Typos and grammar errors will hinder the progress of the reader no matter where they appear. Check your poem after you?ve written it to see if there?s anything that needs to be fixed. An occasional spelling error is forgivable, but a piece filled with errors will stop a reader flat. It will not matter what you have in your last four lines if the reader never gets there. Cliches should be avoided at all costs (almost as much as -ing). Find a new way of saying the same old thing.
Awkwardness
Read your poem out loud. See how it sounds. You wrote the poem; did you stumble upon your own words? If so, you need to consider rewording the parts that made you stumble. If you stumbled, others will too.
Slow Down
There is no race in getting your poems posted. Take the time to read what others are saying. Respond to others as you would hope to have them respond to you. Take the time to review your own poem one last time. If you?ve just posted a poem, give it time to live and breathe. Often, poems will be ignored when the same author posts too many poems. The one not being read may be your best work. No one will ever know.
Courtesy and A Grain of Salt
If you should receive a suggestion on your poem, thank the user for their suggestion. Even if you may not agree with it, common courtesy applies. Remember, all suggestions represent a point of view. Take each with a grain of salt and make it more palatable. Suggestions from your readers can be invaluable tools. Use them wisely and be grateful for receiving them.