Are you a limerick king, or suave avante garde specialist? Do you often find yourself coming up with catchy jingles? Then a card writing career may be your destiny. Even if you only land the occasional spiff, its still good money for a fast quip. Plus, considering that Americans purchase seven billion greeting cards each year, new talent is always welcome.

Hints and Tips:

-Before you send out your work, it pays to observe the type of work the company prefers. This increases your chances of being accepted.
-You have to understand what people are looking for in greeting cards. They want a short message with depths of meaning.
-Become familiar with what's on the market, and then match your writing style to current demand.
-Pay attention to the voice the company prefers. Are the messages more conversational, or do they use rhyming verse? What type of writing style do they use?

When mailing out submissions:

1. Each message or verse should be printed on its own sheet of paper, a 4" x 6" index card, or formatted to fit company standards.
2. Your name, address, and phone number should appear on the upper left hand corner of each submitted page, while the verse appears in the center.
3. Most companies accept 5-15 ideas, but if you're unsure of the limit, send out no more then ten.
4. Include a cover letter addressed to the editor which describes the work you sent in. Make sure its brief. Ideally it should be no longer than a short paragraph. If you would like to receive the copy back, make sure to enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope (SASE).

The following are companies that accept freelance work. Ask for submission guidelines.

AMCAL
2500 Bistro Lane #500
Concord, CA 94520

Writers can send in samples of verses. This company is not interested in humor or long poetry. Most frequently accepted works are in the friendship and birthday category.

American Greeting Corporation
1 American Road
Cleveland, OH 44102

Writers should send for submission forms, and then send in the written work, along with a cover letter.

Carlton Cards
1 American Road
Cleveland, OH 44144

Writers should submit their ideas on 3 x 5 index cards with contact information on the back of each card.

Comstock Cards
600 S. Rock Blvd. Suite 15
Reno, NV 89502

Editors like to see brief verses with a strong, but short lead.

Freedom Greeting Card Company
774 American Drive
Bensalem, PA 19020

Send in a sample of your work, a letter of

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to write for greeting card companies as a freelance writer?
We want to hear your view. Write now!