The Best Online Poetry Contest Sites

By Edward Hamilton


Poets want to compare their prowess with that of others in the industry. One of the best ways to do this is by entering contests. The best Online Poetry Contest Sites allow entries from all over the world. However, there are websites that are used to steal poems and ideas. How do you differentiate the genuine from exploitative websites? Here are expert tips to follow.

Enlist in websites that engage in regular as well as consistent contests. Most of these contests are themed and happen on regular basis. The organizers pick a theme for the year or season and engage participants in the contest. This enables you to prepare and get the perfect timing on consistent basis. Regular contests also help you to gauge your rate of improvement from one year to the next.

The website should advertise or enter you into contests that are genuine. This means that there is an open opportunity for all to participate and win. The results are not manipulated to favor outcomes that are predetermined. With a transparent process of picking the winner and a reasonable prize, you can gauge your prowess in poetry and endeavor to improve on your skills.

Scrutinize the entry fees and requirements set. They give you a hint of the caliber of organizers and contests you are entered. These entry fees should not be designed to collect money. The main aim is to keep away jokers who enter contests for the sake of it. If the fees are punitive, they could be aimed at reducing participants or collecting money for organizers.

Exposure is paramount for participants in competitions. Exposure comes in form of tours and appearances during symposiums and events. Even the chance to meet with other poets, publishers and stakeholders is a good reward. The idea is to add value to your winning and thus raise the profile of winning poets.

There are incentives provided to poets that are more rewarding than prize money. These incentives include the opportunity to be published and take your work to the formal market. A tour to promote your work is also a welcome incentive whenever you participate in a contest. Go for such opportunities whenever you enter into a competition. They will greatly boost your prospects as a poet.

Research on the reputation of a contest before participating. There are contests that add value to your career as a poet because they are prestigious. This prestige comes in the form of quality of judgment delivered and the caliber of people who participate. Reputable contests will raise your profile in the industry and improve on your prospects. If they are not reputable, you will only be passing time and never add value to your professional life.

While participating in contests for poets is recommended, it should only happen if it adds value to your career. Look at contests that raise your profile and are organized with the interest of participants at heart. Your participation must leave you at a better position compared to failure to participate.




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