How to publish a poem?

Steps

Look on the Internet for websites and mailing addresses of publications seeking poetry.
Find a good webpage listing many poetry publishers that accept email submissions.
Try a specialized journal for a specific style of poetry. Finding the right match for you will help you get published. Remember, most editors are swamped with submissions, so if you give them what they're looking for, you'll have the advantage over everyone else.
Newspapers, magazines, civic organizations and national contest organizations often list poetry writing contests with various awards for best submissions.
Placing your work with these sources will gain you a valuable recognition.
Read through the publications your work might be considered to get a good idea of what sorts of poems might be welcomed. Know your market!
Write a poem and send it in. Stop procrastinating!
If you get confirmation that they have published it, you've just begun the long journey to success. Repeat the process!
If you get rejected, don't lose heart. It happens. Just keep trying.

Tips

Keep a record of potential markets in Excel or some other database management program on your computer.
You may also choose to post poems yourself on poetry blogs. Blogs allow you to instantaneously post your material, have readers comment on your work and have your work searchable by search engines. However, keep in mind that most serious publishers consider work posted on the internet as published, and will not consider it for print publication anymore.

Warnings

Some publishers may offer constructive criticism of your work, even if they don't buy or print your poem. Carefully consider their advice and respond with courtesy.
Be aware of and avoid scam publishers, who claim that they are well-respected and will use your work to make money for themselves, usually from you.
Never ever pay "reading fees" to literary agents or publishers who may or may not publish your work. This is more often than not a scam.

Article adapted from wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Publish a Poem. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.