Poets who Tiktok

An interview with Whitney Hanson

For writers and artists, creation is often only half the battle. Without a platform, even the best work can sit undiscovered. Poet Whitney Hanson is among a new generation re-writing the traditional formula of create, pitch, and wait. Instead, as her 2M followers on TikTok can attest, she’s used an untraditional platform to build a literary community—and a brand that supports her own poetic pursuits. Of course, balancing authenticity with media strategy is not always straightforward, but Hanson shares advice for finding balance. “Consistency is important for a brand, but change is crucial for an artist,” she says.

To start, we’d love to hear your journey to becoming a poet. How did you start, and what led you to share this work online?

I first discovered my love for words when I was young. My mom is a librarian, so I spent a lot of time surrounded by books growing up. I began reading poetry when I was 16. I fell in love with the way poets translated complex emotions into tangible descriptors and metaphors. Reading the writing of a talented poet would settle the turbulence that swirled within me. I wanted to learn to settle seas that way.

It wasn’t until I was 18 that I began sharing my work online. I had an Instagram account with less than 100 followers for several years. I didn’t have any aspirations of growing a following, I just wanted to put my art out in the world. I think of sharing art like casting a giant question out into the void, “are there others out there like me?” As I continued sharing and began filming spoken word videos I was met with an overwhelming response, “Yes.”

This is what I love about poetry, and this is the reason I continue to share my writing. It has the power to create connection and community. Poetry ties emotions to words and words tie us to one another. That is what makes this art form so powerful.

From Climate to Home to Harmony, what has been the evolution of your writing process?

Home is my first collection, and it came together organically. I often say that I wrote home out of necessity. I was in the middle of navigating my heartbreak and writing home was a lifeline in that journey.

When I wrote Climate, I had begun sharing spoken word poetry. So, this book includes more poems that are meant to be read aloud. I wrote many of these poems by speaking them as I wrote. This was a new style of writing for me and the first time I explored creating this way.

Harmony deals with themes revolving around my childhood experiences so writing it required me to spend time reflecting on my past. My previous collections were all written about present experiences, so this was a challenge.

When writing Harmony, I often listened to music to teleport myself to a specific mental/emotional state.

Authoring each book has been vastly different and I continue to learn and develop my voice as I progress.

How do you navigate maintaining a recognizable brand with your artistic explorations?




This is something I’m currently navigating. I have a bachelor's degree in marketing, so I often find my marketing brain and my artist brain pulling me in opposite directions. Consistency is important for a brand, but change is crucial for an artist.

The key is balance and I’m still trying to find it. This is what I would remind writers who are faced with the same dilemma. First, remember that your audience is going to grow and change along with you, so allow yourself to grow and change. Second, something that will always remain consistent about your art is YOU. If you allow your authentic self to be revealed in your work, that will always be an element of consistency. Third, being an artist on social media can confine to you a niche style. Sometimes you find something that works or gets views and you become trapped repeating it. Try not to become so set in consistency that you feel stagnant. When you begin sacrificing your curiosity and growth for consistency, you’ve gone too far.

Despite its roots as a political medium, poetry is often considered a solitary act. What advice would you give poets looking to expand their reach?


Initially, I would have considered poetry a solitary act, but I have discovered it is actually the opposite. I have found an incredible support system among other artists. I would advise poets looking to expand their reach to find community. Collaborating with other writers will help you reach new audiences, and it will also give you invaluable relationships with friends who share your passions.

One thing that fascinates us about your career is that, by utilizing social media, you're getting real-time insights into people’s responses. What subjects or styles have you found to resonate most?



I have found that my spoken word poetry resonates most with my audience. I notice people can best connect with my writing when I read it aloud because they can hear the precise emotion and intent. Some of my work that has resonated most include themes of love, grief, and the dichotomy of the two.

With 3 books out and over 2M followers on some social media platforms—a rare feat in the poetry world—what’s next?

I’m focused on taking my time with whatever I create next. I’m not certain what that will be yet, but part of the creative process is to be patient, curious, and attentive. I graduated from university last spring and have experienced a lot of change externally and internally this year. I think those changes will be reflected in my future writing and creative explorations.