Writers create greeting cards for all occasions.
For freelance writers and those who simply have a way with words, writing greeting cards can be a fun way to earn extra money. According to Fiction Factor, Americans buy about 7.4 billion greeting cards annually and about 1/3 of those cards are written by free-lancers. But selling greeting card verses is more than just writing a good line. You must research the card company and submit your ideas in accordance with their guidelines.
Instructions
1. Search writer’s magazines, books and online sites to find greeting card markets. Visit card shops and check the card section in grocery stores and mass market retailers to see what brands they carry.
2. Review the submission guidelines for each card company. Note that some brands do not accept freelance submissions. Most greeting card companies require that you send submission ideas in batches. Some accept online submissions, while others accept only mail-in submissions.
3. Read several cards for each company to whom you would like to submit. Note the art, the sentiment and the general style. If the company produces different kinds of cards, review cards from each section, such as birthday, anniversary, thank you, etc.
4. Come up with several greeting card ideas. Keep in mind the style of the company and the event for which the card is intended. Give some thought to the art that might appear on the card.
5. Reread the submission guidelines for the greeting card company that interests you. Format your ideas according to the guidelines. Most companies will ask you to specify the style, the card event, the outside message, the inside message and any art ideas you have. Include your name, address, phone number and email address on each submission.
6. Check the company website to find out about simultaneous submission guidelines. Most greeting card companies do not accept simultaneous submissions. This means you can send an idea to only one company at a time.
7. Send in your submissions and wait. If you have not heard back from the company within the time specified by their submission guidelines, you may send an email to check on the status of your submission.
8. Don’t give up. As in any writing genre, greeting card ideas may be rejected by several companies before they are accepted. Keep submitting and tweak your ideas when necessary to fit the company’s style.
