5 Tips for Creating an Online Poetry Course
If you’re an established poet who wants to share your knowledge with aspiring writers, consider creating an online poetry course. Not only will this endeavor help you make extra money and build your brand as a writer, but you’ll also be able to impact new poets in a positive and encouraging way. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Determine your course’s content
First, determine your course’s content. Would you prefer to create this course as an in-depth, all-encompassing program that helps a poet find their voice, learn about different poetic forms and genres, create a poetry collection, and market themselves as a writer? Or is focusing on one of these topics more feasible for you, your poetry knowledge, your schedule, and the level of commitment you want to devote to this course? Be sure to spend some time answering these questions honestly to know the best way you can provide value to your students.
Consider pricing
Once you have a good idea of your course’s content, it’s important to consider pricing. Consider a sliding scale system to allow students from a diversity of income backgrounds to participate in the course This inclusive pricing structure encourages students with higher incomes to pay more, while working-class students pay less. Or you might want to provide scholarships for a select group of students. Poetry should be a creative vehicle to build a better world, and everyone’s perspective matters—especially poets from marginalized communities. As an established poet, providing an affordable course could be invaluable for new writers who don’t readily have access to opportunities.
Create free resources
As you build your course, you can also create free downloadable resources and share them on social media. Encourage your Instagram followers to sign up for your email list to receive a resource in their inbox, for example. Resources could include a mini-guide to discovering your voice as a writer, x editing tips and tricks for poignant poetry, or x ways to connect with your readers on social media. Keep in mind that these resources should be condensed and easily digestible, and provide a potential preview to your course. Not only could these resources be part of your marketing strategy for your course, they’re also economically inclusive since you’d provide them at no cost.
Focus on mentorship
While you’re designing your course, it’s important to provide mentorship. Create an option for one-on-one mentoring, so your students can ask you questions and receive constructive, supportive feedback. This is not only helpful to your students as they navigate their poet’s journey, but being a mentor will also be immensely fulfilling for you, since your mentorship can be instrumental in their growth.
Provide a space for community
Community is important for poets to find support, belonging, and creative inspiration. Use this course as an opportunity to create a community among the course’s students where they can provide feedback and ideas on each other’s work—you never know what kind of lasting connections they’ll build.
