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Poet Business Institute

Poet Business Institute

By: diVERSES
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How do you turn into a professional poet, using poetry as a vehicle to financial and creative freedom? Poet Business Institute consists of talks and workshops centered around craft development, voice development, and business development focused on poetry. I'm Geoff Anderson (@geoffandersonstensentences), a Cave Canem fellow, a Callaloo fellow, and founder of a pronunciation business, Fluent American. All of the lessons I've learned from running my own business I am applying to poetry. Let me show you the paths I'm taking, the experiments I'm testing, and the lessons I'm learning.diVERSES Art Hourly Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • How One Poet Uses Livestreams To Foster Belonging
    Jun 27 2026

    Can live streaming actually help you grow your creative community and refine your best ideas? In this episode, poets Geoff Anderson and Mathias discuss the transformative power of live video for poets, artists, and creators looking to build a space of belonging.Mathias shares his journey from open mics to TikTok Live, explaining how real-time feedback and the "radio show" format helped him create a unique platform for the ex-Jehovah's Witness community. We dive into the technical side—upgrading from a phone to a laptop interface—and the philosophy of prioritizing conversation over debate to foster genuine connection.Whether you're intimidated by the "Go Live" button or looking for systems to make your streams more consistent, this conversation offers actionable advice on finding your mission and aligning your message with the right technology.Connect with Matias: [Link to Matias's Website/Socials]In this video, we cover:How to use live streaming for idea development.Moving from a mobile setup to a professional interface.Building a community through themed shows and open mics.The importance of emotional connection in digital spaces.00:00 – Overcoming the fear of live streaming00:42 – Introduction to Arts & Offers: Poetry, Art, and Business01:05 – The power of live streaming for developing new ideas01:50 – Mathias’s background: From Open Mics to TikTok Live03:10 – The value of real-time feedback and community interaction04:22 – Upgrading the setup: Moving from phone to laptop interface05:00 – Creating a unique space for the ex-Jehovah's Witness community06:51 – The philosophy of conversation over debate09:07 – Moderation and the "Radio Show" format11:55 – Managing new guests and regular contributors14:09 – Advice for beginners: Why you shouldn't be intimidated16:17 – Aligning your message with the right technology17:18 – Finding your niche and mission19:35 – Building systems and routines for consistent growth22:48 – Creating "Themed" shows (Open Mics and Parody segments)30:10 – The importance of emotional connection in contentThis is an episode of Arts & Offers, the video podcast dedicated to the intersection of poetry, art and business to help you live on poetry. Our regular hosts are the founder of diVERSES, poet Geoff Anderson, and poet Mathias.Welcome to our channel! In this video, we delve into the captivating world of poetry, exploring how asking questions while reading can unveil its hidden treasures and profound truths. Whether you're a seasoned poetry enthusiast or just beginning your journey into verse, this discussion will inspire you to approach poetry with curiosity and insight.🔍 What You'll Discover:The importance of questioning while reading poetry.Practical tips for asking insightful questions.How questioning enhances comprehension and appreciation.Examples of question-driven analysis applied to popular poems.Strategies for incorporating questioning into your own reading practice.The broader benefits of critical thinking fostered through poetic inquiry.🎓 Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery through the rich landscapes of poetry, where every question unlocks a new layer of meaning and understanding. Don't miss out on this opportunity to deepen your connection with literature and broaden your perspective on life.Let's embark on this poetic journey together and uncover the profound truths that lie within the lines. Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below—we'd love to hear from you!diVERSES poetry was founded by poet Geoff Anderson is currently based in Columbus, Ohio#ArtsAndOffers #diverses #poetry

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    31 mins
  • Why Authors Should Make Their Books Into Videos
    Jun 25 2026

    If you are a poet, writer, or author creating written work, your medium exists far beyond the page. Creating electronic and audio versions of your work are natural extensions, but what makes each of those forms easier, actually, is by starting with video. In this episode of the Poet Business Institute, we go deeper into how poets and other writers can use video to help their work reach their readers where they are best served.Resources For Your Poetry Business: The Semester Playlist: A free guide on this channel to help you start living on your own terms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq8WM0VbKq4&list=PLdlbw-VbM6baqZYsq__SRZU9AABsNUQ5C&index=16The Semester Workbook: Coming soon! A practical guide to help you achieve creative and financial independence. Updates at www.diversespoetry.com/instituteWelcome to the Poet Business Institute series, where we discuss the needs and considerations involved in living on poetry. Whether it is understanding basic business principles or mindsets, creating a poetry offer to give to the world, or understanding what's involved in starting a poetry career, the Poet Business Institute is here to bring you closer to your artistic life goals.#poetry #poetbusinessinstitute #diversesdiVERSES was founded by poet Geoff Anderson in Columbus, Ohio to help writers achieve creative and financial independenceGet a free audio/mp3/podcast version at https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5PWrite with us at the Substation! www.diversespoetry.com/aboutsubstation

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    8 mins
  • This Doesn't Even Look Like A Poem!
    Jun 24 2026

    In this episode of diVERSES, we sit down with poet, playwright, and novelist Stacy Nathaniel Jackson to explore the concept of Space Activation. When a standard line break or prose poem isn't enough to convey your message, how can you use typography, negative space, and visual layout to "prime" your reader for a different consciousness?We dive deep into the "eye test" of poetry—how a poem feels before you even read the first word and how the placement of the word continues to impact how we feel as we read—and discuss why poets are, at their core, designers.In this video, you’ll learn:What is Space Activation? Stacy defines his unique approach to making the page a canvas.The Syntax vs. Semantics of Space: How intentional layout can create irony, harmony, or disruptive silence.Practical Creative Exercises: Simple techniques using margins, justification, and "blackout" vs. "eraser" poetry to transform your work.The Artist’s Challenge: Why the frustration of working with non-standard tools (like Word) is actually part of the creative process.Zagging in a Zigging World: How breaking traditional academic "rules" can help independent poets find their own unique space in the art world.Featured Artist: Stacy Nathaniel Jackson is a multidisciplinary writer who explores the intersection of language and visual form. His work challenges the traditional "corporate poetry" systems and encourages writers to claim their own titles and aesthetics.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Space Activation 01:30 - The Aesthetic of the Bay Area & Visual Poems 03:00 - The "Eye Test": How space changes feeling05:00 - Syntax vs. Semantics: Playing with Intention 08:00 - Techniques: Margins, Justification & Compression 12:45 - Blackouts vs. Erasers: Guiding the Reader 15:30 - Drawing with Words: Visual Poetry Examples 17:45 - Dancing with the Corporate Poetry System 20:00 - Final Thoughts: Where can you go where no one else is?Connect with diVERSES: Subscribe for more deep dives into the craft of poetry and conversations with artists who are redefining the verse.#Poetry #VisualPoetry #diVERSES

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    21 mins
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