I want to do so much more than just go around the shows or do slams...


How do you really make the step-up and do you own CD and get it sold, go into schools... lets' face it, just make some money out of it?

Firstly you need to understand poetry and performance thoroughly and work on your own stuff to get it to a very good standard. Go and watch the people who are working on the circuit and take notes on what they do and try to take from what you learn and put it into practice.

Then you have to go and perform at every open mic gig you can and get well known poets to comment on you i.e. give you quotes that you can use when you send your CV to promoters, schools etc.

Note that everything depends upon the reputation you gain in performance.

Record some of your poems on your own CD - it's easy and cheap to do.

Have a pack which includes CV, photo, quotes about you, examples of work and CD and send it to every poetry promoter you can find and hope that you get a couple of paying guest spots. If a gig goes well get the promoter to recommend you to other promoters.

Before you attempt to go into schools remember they will want you to be CRB checked to ensure you don't have any convictions.

The best way to get into schools is via a teacher that you already know - buy them a drink and suggest a poetry project that might interest them

But be warned there is very little money to be made out of the poetry circuit unless you get to the very top level and that is a very small number of people indeed and they have to work and work to keep the dosh coming in.

Good Luck!