Greeting Card Writing

Selling Original Verse

Oct 14, 2008 Beverly Lee

Companies who sell greeting cards, mugs, t-shirts and other novelty items often require original prose to add to their product line.

Most greeting card companies have a full time writing staff but still will consider a talented freelance writer. Good talent with a unique slant on the greeting card market is always appreciated in the industry. Also, remember greeting card companies have very specific requirements for submitting verse, humor, or artwork. So, always write for the companies guidelines to be seriously considered for publication with their company. You will be glad you did. This will save you time and much confusion.

Greeting cards are as diverse as the people who buy them. Most talented greeting card writers should have no problem finding a niche in this highly competitive market. That is...as long as they are persistent and dedicated to the craft. You must have a love for writing verse or the work will become tedious and boring.

Greeting Card Duties up Close

This is where the writer's talent will guide them. First priority is to find a niche. More specifically, the writer should know their talent. Are they good with original heart warming verse, humorous one liners, or romantic lines. Next, the writer should select several greeting card companies who are actively recruiting freelance work. The writer then should submit their original work to the companies on3x5 cards in batches of 10 up to about 15.

Best Companies/Clients

Every greeting card company across the country accepting freelance work is a potential client for the freelance greeting card writer. The writer should purchase the latest edition of the "Writer's Handbook" for an up-to-date list of greeting card companies.

Writer Skills/Qualifications

• Knowledge of greeting card markets
• Writing talent
• Marketing skills
• Good business sense
• Artistic eye

Office Equipment Requirements

Computer, printer, Internet connection for e-mail submissions, telephone, fax.

Marketing/Advertising

Send queries to greeting card companies with samples of your original work on a regular basis.

Startup

Minimal often less than $100 if the writer already owns the required office equipment. The serious freelancer should always invest in good quality professional stationary, letterhead, office supplies.

Income Potential

Depends heavily on the writer's talent and what is hot in the greeting card market. Most greeting card companies pay $25 up to $150 per verse or humorous line. The Writer's Handbook states, "writing humorous verse or one liners is a very hot market currently. Humor writing is a fun, creative area. And where most Greeting Card Writers make the most money."

Tips

• Study the greeting card market by browsing the greeting card racks.
• Attend greeting card craft shows.
• Network with others in the Industry
• Buy good books on writing greeting cards
• Purchase rhyming dictionary
• Purchase reference books
• Read humorous stories to inspire your funny side.

Use these tips to break into the greeting card market.

The copyright of the article Greeting Card Writing in Self-Employment is owned by Beverly Lee. Permission to republish Greeting Card Writing in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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