How to Get Started Writing Greeting Cards

Greeting card writers help individuals express themselves to their loved ones.

The greeting card writing industry is a specialized outlet for many freelance writers. Inspiration for greeting cards can come in unexpected places, so if you plan to tap this market you might want to keep a notebook and a pen on hand at all times. This niche of writing is not likely to be enough for a primary income, but is an excellent option for those looking to gain experience with professional writing or who are looking for a new and interesting way to make some extra earnings.

Things You'll Need

• Portfolio
• Notebook
• Pen

Instructions

1. Research the industry. Visit your local greeting card store and get to know the different types of cards available. There are humorous cards and sentimental cards, cards for celebrations like birthdays and weddings, and cards for mourning for funerals and sick loved ones. Understanding the variations of cards in the market will allow you to best understand what you might be required to write.

2. Write as many greeting card scripts as you can. To show your range as a writer, write examples in traditional poetry cards, conversational prose cards and humorous cards for a variety of different events and card needs.

3. Assemble a portfolio to present to potential buyers. Your portfolio can be as basic as simple text versions of the greeting cards you would like to create, or as involved as creating visual mock ups of what each card might look like. If you have access to clip art and some very basic graphic design skills, visual accompaniments will help you get your portfolio noticed.

4. Create a list of greeting card companies you would like to submit to. Look up their preferred submission guidelines. For example, some companies might accept email submissions while others prefer traditional mail. Call each company to get the exact name and position of the person to whom you should send your submissions.

5. Write a cover letter that addresses your company contact by name. Explain in your letter that you have attached some greeting card ideas for review. Be sure you format your greeting card scripts in the proper style, as outlined by the individual greeting card company you are writing to. Failure to do so may result in your submission being tossed out.

References

• Home Biz Tools: How to Get Started as a Greeting Card Writer
• Fiction Factor: Greeting Card Writing Information
• Internet Based Moms: Make Money from Your Website: Writing for Greeting Card Companies