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Question from reader: I'm just beginning to think about starting a greeting card writing business. I am a natural writer, I'm creative, and I'm funny so I wanted to somehow combine these talents and I think greeting cards would be a good way of doing that. How do I get started? Should I just do something on paper or should I create an actual card?

Answer from Brett Krkosska: How To Get Started As a Greeting Card Writer
The vast majority of greeting card writers work part-time as independent contractors, freelancing their work to greeting card publishers on a piece work basis. The pay for an individual card can range from anywhere between $50 to $250. Greeting card writers are a special breed of author in the publishing industry. This profession requires keeping a close eye on the pulse of society through an understanding of current social themes and evolving trends. A successful writer is able to "get into the head" of people and convey feelings and sentiments that vary across age group and gender.

A greeting card writer effectively expresses the relationship between a sender and receiver which speaks to a specific social situation. The sender of a greeting card is conveying a message in a very personal way, and your challenge is to make that message feel tailored for the individual while also appealing to a great number of people.

To get started as a greeting card writer you should have a portfolio of ideas ready for submission. We're not talking about a finished product here. We're talking about your ideas and the creativity behind those ideas. Publishers will have their own preferred method of receiving submissions, and at the time you can prepare your work to meet their individual submission standards.

There are several ways to get your ideas in front of publishing company editors. One of the easiest methods is to utilize the Internet and search for the websites of greeting card publishing houses. Contact the company and request guidelines for submitting ideas. Some companies will even post submission guidelines online, along with the type of material they are interested in. This is a great time saver.

Here are some popular greeting card sites to get started:

• Majestic Greeting Cards
• American Greetings
• Avanti Press
• Blue Mountain
• Card Makers
• Comstock Cards
• Current Catalog
• DaySpring
• E-Cards
• Freedom Greeting Card
• Gallant Greetings
• Greeting Card Association
• Hallmark
• Kogle Cards
• Mixed Blessing
• Oatmeal Studios
• Palm Press
• Peaceable Kingdom Press
• Renaissance Greeting Cards
• Reynolds Unwrapped
• Sports Spectrum Greeting Cards
• Sunrise Greetings

The above information will help you get started, but it's just the tip of the iceberg in this exciting field. For more tips and in-depth information, visit Sandra Louden's website. You'll find plenty advice and resources tailored for the aspiring greeting card writer.

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