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How to Get a Job Writing Greeting Cards

It’s no secret that greeting cards are a popular way to send Christmas presents. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation, total retail value of all cards sold in 2018 will be around $14 billion.

Not so secret, however, is the fact that not all greeting cards are created equal. In other words, not all cards are well-suited for automated printing. In this article, we’ll discuss what makes a good card, as well as give you some tips on how to get a job writing greeting cards.

Compelling Reasons To Write A Card

One of the most compelling reasons to write a card is to make a memorable impression on your friends and family. To this end, you’ll want to write something personal, yet compelling. Consider making your friend wait a little bit before they open their card, teasing them with the anticipation of what is to come. Or, write a funny card that will make them smile – even if it’s not a funny subject!

Another reason to write a card is to give the holder something to think about. If you know that your friend likes cats, and you write a cat-themed card on their birthday, you’ll know that they’ll have something to discuss with their friends when they receive it.

A third reason to write a card is to have something to write about. If you’re stuck for ideas, consider the subject of your next card. Is your friend a foodie? Or, perhaps they love to travel? You can write about something you know they’ll like, while also putting your talent to use.

Good Cards Are Easy To Write

This point cannot be overstated. One of the worst things you can do for yourself on an artist’s behalf is to take on a project that is far more difficult than you think it is. You’ll end up sabotaging yourself, and then your clients will end up suffering for it. For instance, if you’re writing a Christmas related card, try not to overdo it by making it too complex. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that the card is simple, yet beautiful and innovative.

Another bad idea is trying to fit too much information into a card. A card is a simple and quick way to let someone know what you want from them. If you think that your friend will not understand your French, do not try and teach them French in the card. Your friend will not thank you for it, and it will make the whole card language-barrier!

Keep Things Light

Yes, some cards can be quite serious, but for the most part, you want to keep things light. You don’t want to give the impression that you’re taking the matter too seriously. So, if you’re going for a funny card, make sure that you write a funny message. Similarly, if you’re going for a serious card, make sure that you write something that will make your friend or family member think about the message you’re trying to send them.

Also, consider the tone of your card’s message. Are you trying to be serious and convincing, or, are you just being playful? The answer to this question should guide the whole tone of your message. Are you trying to convince your friend that they should buy your brand of deodorizer? Or, are you just trying to make them laugh, and your brand happens to be the funniest?

Keep It Short

If you’re writing a short note, make sure that it is focused and to the point. People want to read a short note, but make sure that your note is good. The last thing you want is for your friend to read something, that you think is amusing, only to find out that it’s not funny at all. After all, you don’t want to hurt their feelings, do you? Your friends are a part of your social circle, and you should care about how you treat them. So, if you want to write a funny card, make sure that it is indeed funny. In addition, you should check for spelling errors, as well as make sure that your grammar is correct. Remember, your friends will be reading your card, so make sure that it is appropriate.

Now that you have compelling reasons to write a card, let’s discuss some tips on how to get a job writing greeting cards.

Make Sure You’re Experienced

Do you have experience writing greeting cards? If not, how do you think you’ll be able to pull this off? Before you start applying for jobs, line-writing, or greeting card-related positions, be sure to brush up on your writing skills. If this is your first time writing something like this, you’ll want to do some research on what makes a good greeting card. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information online, and we’ll discuss some of it below.

Get A Sample

Doing some research into what makes a good greeting card will only get you so far. To actually write a good card, you’ll need more than just the information on what makes a good card. You’ll need a sample to work off of.

If you’re lucky enough to find a friend or family member who is also a professional wordsmith, you can ask them to write something for you to use as a sample. Alternatively, you can visit a bookstore and see what samples people have written for teachers or professors, that could be useful for you. These are called letters of recommendation, and they’re often the key that opens the door to getting a job in a field that you have not yet considered.

Develop Your Pitch

As mentioned above, if you want to write cards for friends and family, you’ll want to write something personal yet unique. So how do you find the right words? You start by developing a pitch – a short elevator pitch that will help you introduce yourself to the person you’re writing the card for. Essentially, a pitch is a way of quickly and succinctly selling your idea or mission to the reader. For example, if you’re pitching to a hiring manager at a company, your pitch may go something like this:

John Smith is an experienced writer with a decades-long track record of success. Although he has written many successful books, his most recent work, Cooking For Kings, was turned down by 17 publishers before it was picked up by Penguin Random House. John’s new book, The Artistry Of Archer, explores the life and work of the famous photographer, Archer B. Mortimer. John believes that he is the perfect candidate for the job, having followed all of the steps necessary to become a successful freelance writer.”

This pitch is already a good start. It’s personal, yet fits the bill for what the person you’re pitching to wants to hear. You’ve got a unique perspective on the subject, as well as demonstrated experience, which are both important factors in securing the job. Furthermore, you’ve defined a clear goal – to write a book about an influential photographer – and have a clear idea of how to go about it. Your proposal will be that you research the subject, then write an in-depth book about it, structuring your story around the theme of the photographer’s life.

Follow The Rules

If you follow the rules exactly, you’ll surely write a good card. What are the rules, you ask? First off, you want to write something that is in good taste. This means that you should avoid using profanity, or any language that may be considered offensive. In addition, you should avoid using any slang, or else you’ll just end up using words that the average person may not know the meaning of. Lastly, you want to write something that is innovative and clever. Do not just use words that you think your friend will appreciate, or that are commonly used in everyday conversation. Create an original story, that will leave your friend pondering long after you’ve signed off on the card.

Apply Early

If you want to get a job writing greeting cards, you must apply early. Although it may be tempting to wait until the last minute to submit your application, doing so will only hurt your chances. People who apply near the end are often overlooked, because there are already so many applications.