"The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson's Marketing Genius: How She Sold Her Poems"

Introduction: Emily Dickinson was one of the most enigmatic and intriguing poets of the 19th century. However, beyond her poetry, there lies an interesting marketing story that few people know. Despite being notoriously reclusive, Dickinson was a marketing genius who was able to sell her poems to friends and family, even in a time when self-promotion was frowned upon. In this article, we will explore the secret life of Emily Dickinson's marketing genius and how she was able to sell her poems.

The Early Years: Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830. She was known to be a shy and reclusive person, often choosing to stay in her family's homestead instead of socializing with others. Despite this, she was able to build a strong network of friends and family who supported her writing.

Marketing Her Poems: Dickinson began writing poetry at a young age and by the 1860s, she had already written hundreds of poems. However, she did not seek publication in the traditional sense. Instead, she chose to share her poems with her friends and family through letters and personal visits.

One of the ways Dickinson marketed her poems was by creating beautifully hand-stitched booklets that she called "fascicles." These booklets contained a small selection of her poems, which she then sent out to her friends and family as gifts. In this way, she was able to create a sense of exclusivity around her work, as only a select few were able to receive these booklets.

Another way Dickinson marketed her poems was through her correspondence. She would often include a poem or two in her letters to friends and family, and they would in turn share these with others. This helped to spread her work through word of mouth, which was a powerful marketing tool in those days.

Finally, Dickinson was able to market her poems through the power of her writing itself. Her poetry was unique and unlike anything that had been seen before. Her use of unconventional syntax and punctuation, as well as her focus on internal experience, made her work stand out. This, in turn, helped to create a demand for her poetry.

Conclusion: Emily Dickinson's marketing genius may not be as well-known as her poetry, but it is just as impressive. Through her use of personal connections, exclusive booklets, and word of mouth, she was able to sell her poems without ever seeking traditional publication. She was a true pioneer in the art of self-promotion and her success serves as a reminder that even the most introverted among us can market our work effectively.