Today i will tell you about a unique way to get paid for writing and that way for you is the greeting card market. Did you know that nearly 50% of the first class mail market consists of greeting cards? Cards are not limited to birthdays and holidays any more. You name the event, there is a card for the occasion.
Three main companies dominate the card market today, according to Writer‘s Market. These companies are Hallmark, American Greetings and Gibson Greetings. They are your primary markets, although you may well find it easier to break in to one of the smaller card companies listed in publications like Writer‘s Market and magazines like The Writer and Writer‘s Digest which are available at the newsstand or your local library.
Women are the traditional card buyers by an overwhelming number. Visit a few card racks yourself to see the different styles under the various company names. This way you can find which style you feel most comfortable in pursuing and can direct your output at the proper distributor.
Card companies are always on the lookout for promising new material. Again, these are short pieces which require quick, snappy thoughts that tell the message clearly and rapidly. It‘s the same style as headline, bumper sticker and anecdotal type writing; and, if you‘re doing those successfully, greeting cards may be a good choice for you.
Each editor of a card company may prefer to see your submissions in a particular type of format. Once you have identified the companies you believe you can write for, send in a request for their writing and submission guidelines along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for their convenience. In so doing, you‘ll save yourself the trouble of submitting material outside of their usual format, which they‘ll discard. Some like individual card ideas submitted separately while other prefer a list of ideas at one time.
Typical cards categories are-
Traditional, which is usually the sentimental type of verse constructed message. These are generally the longest pieces of writing, often poetic type verses.
Contemporary, which is also humorous, dominated mostly by one-liners about modern society while also conveying the specific message - birthday, anniversary, holiday, etc.
Personal, which most often is a blank card inside for the buyers to write their own message. The focus of your work is to come up with an appropriate picture or phrase (or both) on the front of the card.
Humorous, either by written word or visual gag. These are exceedingly popular and ones that are difficult to write and therefore in demand constantly.
Here are various reasons that cards are sent, to help channel your thoughts toward particular ideas that are easy for you to express
Holidays
New Year‘s Day, Father‘s Day, Valentine‘s Day, 4th of July, St Patrick‘s Day, Halloween, Passover, Thanksgiving, Easter, Mother‘s Day, Christmas.
Special Occasions
Birthday, Anniversary, Belated Birthday, Graduation, Get Well, First Communion, New Baby, Confirmation, Congratulations, New Job, Engagement, Vacation Trip, Retirement Sympathy, Thank You
General
Friendship, GoodBye, Missing You, Haven‘t Heard From You, Thinking of You, Sorry I Haven‘t Written.
Don‘t forget that many of these categories have sub-categories with variations like mother, father, niece, nephew, son-in-law, and so forth. Cards can also be from the two of us, your brother and other people. There are even cards for single parents.
There are different types of card styles, too, like pop-ups, children‘s cards and bawdy humor for adults only. Don‘t limit yourself. Experiment with all types of writing styles and themes. You‘ll eventually establish a comfort level and a knack for a particular category.
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