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Make Money By Writing Copy For Greetings Cards

dezwards by dezwards

How To Write And Sell Copy For Greetings Cards

Fancy some more income? Would you like perhaps $100 for 4 lines? Writing copy for cards is easy and open to anyone, it just takes a little work. There's a huge market and many companies actively seek freelance submissions. All good cards need good words to sell themselves, and that's where you come in!

Freelance copy writing for greetings cards is a fun way to add to your income - but it will need some perseverance. (If you're a lensmaster, you already have loads of that!)

Every greetings card that has words on it has had copy written by someone. Many companies use in-house copy writers, but there are plenty of companies that actively seek submissions from freelance writers, such as you and me!

Copy is required for every range you can think of, from Birthdays to Valentine's Day, from Happy Anniversary to Good Luck In Your New Job etc.

This lens is designed to highlight how you can make extra money by writing copy, and hopefully includes all you need to get you started.

Very many thanks for visiting this lens.

Good luck!

Contents

  1. Will I Get Rich?
  2. What Is Copy?
  3. Getting Ideas For Copy
  4. Always Carry A Notebook
  5. Another Great Source For Ideas
  6. Producing Copy That Sells From A Mind Map
  7. How To Tailor Your Copy For A Particular Company
  8. Research Is Everything!
  9. How To Research
  10. A Researcher's Checklist
  11. When To Submit Copy
  12. How To Submit Copy
  14. A Checklist For Posting Copy
  15. Companies Looking For New Copy Submissions
  16. If You're Also Good At The Drawing Bit
  17. Perseverance! Save Your Work!
  18. Thank You So Much For Visiting
  19. Latest Stuff From The Greetings Card Business
  20. Here's Some Great Lenses To Help You On Your Way!
  21. Fancy Making Money By Writing Other Stuff From Home?
  22. Thank You Again For Visiting
  23. My Favourite Clip Art Site

Will I Get Rich?

type=textNot from selling greetings card copy, no. But it can provide an excellent source of extra income.

Companies pay anything from £10 to £100 per idea that they use (most I submit to pay between £25 and £100).

But, as is the case with many writing 'jobs', you will receive far more rejections than acceptances. It's just the way it is!

However, if you're determined, professional, and regularly submit good copy tailored to each company, then there's no reason why you won't make money!

What Is Copy?

Do I need to write poetry? No, definitely not (although there are many greetings card companies that will pay you for good verse). No, two or three 'quippy' lines will make you money.

Basically, copy is the words you see printed on a greetings card. You don't need to provide illustrations, or even ideas for illustrations. You just provide the words.

For example

It's Mother's Day! And I can guarantee you won't wake up grumpy. . .

. . .He'll be downstairs making the breakfast! Happy Mother's Day!

Sold for £60!

Getting Ideas For Copy

type=textMy best source of copy ideas has always been people.

They say the funniest things at the oddest of times, and it often makes for good copy. So I'd strongly recommend that you always carry a notebook!

Here's an example.

Four of us were travelling back from the golf club one day when a police car flashed us to pull over. The officer came to the window, and told my friend he was concerned about the way he was driving. Another friend quipped, 'Can you book him for his putting as well 'cos that was awful too!'

That became:

It's been said that at your age, your driving can deteriorate . . .

. . .It'll soon match your putting then! Happy Birthday!

Sold for £65!

Always Carry A Notebook

Please, trust me on this! Ideas appear all the time, often from the most unexpected sources. Your memory will let you down!
Er. . . now what was I saying?. . .

Another Great Source For Ideas

Mind Maps are superb for creating tons of ideas for copy (and for new lenses!).

Mind mapping is simple to do and has nearly always given good results. It is a subject in itself however, and too big to detail here. But I've included a couple of great lenses to look at in the 'Here's Some Great Lenses To Help You On Your Way!' section.

I would strongly recommend this book though. It has paid for itself many times over in sold copy, and is great for lens ideas too!

If you would prefer to buy this book off amazon.co.uk please click here
The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential

To buy off amazon.com, please click on the link below
The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential

The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential

by: Tony Buzan, Barry Buzan

Amazon Price: $11.00 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Producing Copy That Sells From A Mind Map

type=textVery basically, you think of a subject and write associated words around that subject and just carry on.

Here's an example.

A greetings card company a few years ago asked for copy re: cards that were going to have bits stuck on the front of them that would wobble.

So the mind map went something like this

wobble - shake - quake - fear - monster

Which turned into:

Am I Quaking With Terror
Or Trembling With Fear
No, I'm Shaking With Laughter. . .

. . .Cos You're Older By A Year! Happy Birthday!

Sold for £100!

(Hey, I never said I was Shakespeare!) :-)

How To Tailor Your Copy For A Particular Company

Each company has it's own distinct styles of cards, and will look for copy that fits perfectly with their brand. It's vital to send copy that is specifically tailored to each companies needs.

Copy sold to Quitting Hollywood would, in most cases, be unsuitable for say, Hallmark etc.

So it's important not to just produce 20 ideas and send them in the same form to different companies. A little tweaking of wording, style of writing and simple re-working of the same ideas can pay dividends.

And it's all down to research.
Important!

Research Is Everything!

Time spent researching the styles, humour and length of copy used by each company will save you unnecessary work and make you money!

How To Research

By far the best way is to visit your local store, armed with a notebook and a pen!

Find cards that are produced by the company you wish to write for (their name will be on the back of the card). Then write down the copy from as many of their cards as you can. Go to another store and do the same. You'll soon build up a 'feel' for the style they're after. This is copy that's been bought and published - so you know it's right!

This is also a great way to come across more companies that may be looking for submissions.

Some companies give examples of required styles on their websites. Please check out the links in the 'Companies Looking For New Copy Submissions' section below. It's just a case of searching!

A Researcher's Checklist

Check these against the copy for a particular company's cards
  • Do they mainly use jokes or one-liners? (Or is it a mix of the two?)
  • Is it risqué or gentle humour?
  • Is it complimentary humour, or a little sarcastic maybe? This is important. It's styles of humour that set different companies apart.
  • Are they 'snappy' one-word punch lines, or gentler, longer sentences?

When To Submit Copy

Companies develop their ranges many months in advance. Copy for Christmas cards may need to be in by April. Always check deadlines with the companies - and don't be late in submitting!

How To Submit Copy

Companies vary in how they like copy to be submitted, so you must check with them first. Many now prefer e-mail submissions but some still prefer snail mail!

Companies often give details on-line, but if they don't then give them a quick ring. Also try and get the name of the person responsible for reviewing submitted copy. Then when you send copy in, address it to that person. It has a better chance of being considered and it looks more professional.

Whether e-mailing copy, or sending it by post, I send ides in the following format, exactly as you see it below:

On your Birthday it will be an honour to call you 'Friend'. . .

. . .And a lie to call you sober! Happy Birthday!

“When contacting a company, introduce yourself as a freelance copywriter, because that's what you are”

A Checklist For Posting Copy

As a rough guide, when posting copy using snail-mail
  • Ring and find the name of the person to send copy to.
  • Check with the company as to how many ideas they prefer to receive at a time. With companies I've worked for and know there styles well, I now send a max of 20 in one go. But to start with, a max of 10 may be a safe bet.
  • Print out your ideas on A4 paper. 10 on a page is fine depending on their length. Just spread them out.
  • Number each page and each copy idea - really important! This goes for e-mail too!
  • Put your name, address and contact details on each sheet
  • Include a very brief, professional looking covering letter stating you are submitting copy.
  • Check for spellings. And don't rely on the spellchecker on your PC. 'Happy Birthday to a Special Bog' does not look good! Nor does 'Congratulations on the girth of your daughter!'

Companies Looking For New Copy Submissions

This is a brief list to get you started, but it will still give you plenty to work on! A quick search on google under Greetings Card companies will produce loads more!
Quitting Hollywood
Risque, punchy humour. Very well established and great to deal with. Will pay £100 for each idea used. They even e-mail you a style guide!
Hallmark. A Huge player in the Greetings Card world
Massive Range. Humour tends to be 'gentler' than Quitting Hollywood. Excellent to work with. Pays around £60 in the UK but this varies depending on which ranges, how much you've sold them in the past etc.
Comstock Cards
There's a link on this site detailing submission info.
Blue Mountain Arts
Seeking rhymed poetry, religious verse and funny one-liners.

If You're Also Good At The Drawing Bit

The Recycled Paper Greetings Card Company are looking for submissions of copy alongside artwork. Far more talented people than me need apply!

Perseverance! Save Your Work!

You will undoubtedly have a situation where you've researched, produced professional looking copy that made you and your friends roar with laughter, only to have your best work rejected.

Don't worry!

It could be that someone else has already had a similar idea accepted, or it just didn't quite match what the editors were looking for.

Keep a copy of everything you produce, one day, with a little tweaking, it may sell!

With perseverance, and a sense of humour, you've every chance of selling copy. And it will feel great when you do!

Good Luck!

Thank You So Much For Visiting

It is very much appreciated. I really hope you've found this lens helpful.

Please feel free to leave any comments you may have here, I'd love to read them!

Many thanks!

  • LensbyLisa Apr 25, 2012 @ 10:14 am | delete
    I never thought of bringing in extra income this way. Thanks for sharing!
  • meenaxisingh Mar 22, 2012 @ 1:05 pm | delete
    It revealed to a great deal about this explorable avenue.
  • Feb 15, 2012 @ 8:37 am | delete
    Thank you for the information. Very useful.
  • DracsWolfy Nov 22, 2011 @ 5:30 pm | delete
    This lens is fabulous! Very insightful :)
  • Elhamstero Nov 19, 2011 @ 1:16 pm | delete
    Sounds like a brilliant idea. I might just have to try it.
  • KarenCookieJar Sep 5, 2011 @ 7:43 am | delete
    I struggle with what to write on cards, I have looked up phrases before, thanks for the tips.
  • LaureJ May 5, 2011 @ 11:25 pm | delete
    Helpful info. Nice lens.
  • avelimir Feb 21, 2011 @ 11:05 am | delete
    You are welcome, but thank YOU for the information herein! It is very helpful.
  • LisaAuch Feb 19, 2011 @ 4:33 pm | delete
    fantastic great info - resources! Blessed
  • doubleside Feb 17, 2011 @ 11:19 am | delete
    Thank you. I need this one.
  • Mart903 Feb 14, 2011 @ 2:08 am | delete
    Interesting, indeed. I'll be looking more into this great lens. Thanks for sharing, dezwards!
  • ElizabethJeanAllen Feb 10, 2011 @ 5:13 pm | delete
    I've considered writing greeting card copy but never followed up on the idea. Nows the time. Thanks.
  • tobejim Jan 25, 2011 @ 6:50 pm | delete
    Interesting idea - I provide a fair bit of online content to firms but I've never considered this!
  • LadyJasmine Jan 18, 2011 @ 9:42 pm | delete
    Good tips. I haven't tried this yet, but why not? :-) Blessings!
  • I-sparkle Jan 16, 2011 @ 10:13 am | delete
    Great lens and a great idea! I've been looking into freelance writing work. This may be the solution.
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Fancy Making Money By Writing Other Stuff From Home?

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Thank You Again For Visiting

Please feel free to have a look at some of my other lenses. Thank you!

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My Favourite Clip Art Site

hasslefreeclipart.com for hassle free clip art!

All the clip art images on this lens are from this great site

Please check them out!

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dezwards

Hi. I'm a golf fan who's recently discovered Squidoo and having great fun finding my way around Squidoo and SquidU, and putting some lenses together.... more »

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