Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Printer
- Notebook
- Greeting card software
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Step 1
Keep track of all your ideas. Don't rely on your memory. Keep a notebook handy at all times to jot down special lines that come to you out of the blue. You never know when inspiration will strike, so be prepared to capture the ideas before you lose them.
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Step 2
Don't just wait for inspiration to strike, either. Sit down at the computer on a regular basis and come up with verse. You can write rhymed or unrhymed verse; it doesn't matter. Different greeting card companies prefer different styles. Have plenty of material on hand.
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Step 3
Choose markets wisely. Use online market databases to find greeting card markets (see "Resources"). "Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market" by Writer's Digest Books is another good resource, updated yearly to include greeting card submission, contact and payment information.
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Step 4
Submit your greeting cards according to the guidelines of each greeting card company. Typically, you are allowed to submit card ideas in batches of 10, written on standard typing paper and indicating the text for the outside and inside of your card.
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Step 5
You don't have to do the artwork for your cards. Greeting card companies have artists on staff, or they buy from freelance artists. If you know how to draw, though, you often can submit artwork and text. Making a mock-up of your card isn't necessary, either, but many greeting card companies allow you to do this. "Microsoft Word" has greeting card templates you can use to create mockups of your card ideas if you want to. In most cases, this doesn't increase your chances of making the sale, but it does give you a better idea of what your card will look like.
