Writing Greeting Cards for Money

Have you ever thought about writing greeting cards? How many times have you searched for the perfect greetings card? That birthday card with not only the ideal picture but the exact sentiment as well? Or how about the card that adds just the right amount of humour to your serious message?

It happens to us all, the search for the impossibly perfect card. Which is why many writers pick the other option - finding a card with the great picture and writing their own words inside. If you have ever done this then no doubt you have also reflected, at least for a second, on the possibility of selling verses to Hallmark.


What does it take?
There are no real rules about what verses, sayings or sentiment can be printed in cards, except perhaps the obvious one of them having to fit on the folded page. The words can be rhyming, non-rhyming, funny, emotive, serious or anything in between, just as long as they fit with the editor’s requirements.


Who do I send it to?
In your search to find what the card companies are looking for visit any store with a large selection of greeting cards. You’ll find many printers produce ‘ranges’ of cards; these are selections printed along a similar style.

Over recent years ranges that have stuck in my head include the white cards all with embossed edges, pictures of flowers and a Victorian feel to them, or how about the selection with black and white pictures of children dressed up in adults clothes? Both of these concepts would have been presented to the publishers as a range.

As you go around the store take particular note of collections that appeal to you.

Other things you will need to notice when writing greeting cards include:
Is there a company that targets the audience you’d like to write verses for?
Which ones convey a sentiment you feel comfortable with?
Which cards do you like the quality and presentation of?

These questions, and ones like them, are your research. When you decide on which ranges and producers you like, look at the back of the cards and see who printed them because that company would be an ideal market for you to approach.


How do I know what they want?
Once you have the company name, contact them for their catalogue and writers guidelines. Most contact numbers for the companies can be found through the Yellow Pages or found through doing a web search.

The information, when you receive it, will tell you if they are accepting work, what work they are looking for and how to submit your ideas.

Examples of things to be aware of when writing greeting cards include:
Whether to provide pictures and words or just words.
Whether to send a mock up of the card or just the content.
How many layouts/verses to submit at one time.


Other options

But remember, manufacturers of the greeting cards found in big stores aren’t the only place to send your verses. How about the RSPCA and other charities? Every year they produce many cards, calendars and products that you might want to be part of.

A charity is a great idea if you want to write a range of verses based on one topic. For example, the RSPCA would no doubt to receptive to verses written about animals or a horticultural society about flowers.

And don’t forget those little gift books or emotive postcards displayed by the shop checkouts. Then there are bumper stickers, t-shirts and posters. The list, as they say, is only limited by your imagination.

So always think laterally when writing greeting cards and never underestimate the saleability of sentiment and emotion.


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