Have you seen the movie Mr. Deeds ? It is a true representation of a greeting card writer's life, right? Not really but yes, there is such a job as card writers. Haven't we all bought a greeting card of one kind or another? Who did you think wrote those funny or sentimental lines? Their job is to help people express thoughts and sentiments that they might not be able to voice themselves. That is got to feel pretty rewarding.
Where does a card writer get their ideas? It is probably safe to say they need to be in touch with their emotions. The emotions that many people share, such as the birth of a new baby, graduating from school, losing a loved one. These writers of cards usually get a specific request from their editor such as birthday or Mother's Day cards and they also give them identifying information, such as age, gender, relationship to each other, so they know what segment of the market they are writing to.
These writers try to keep up on the latest cultural and language trends. They read modern and classical poetry, look through magazines and comic strips and read current and popular novels. If they work in their companies' offices these items are usually provided for them. If you're writing cards as a freelance writer it will be up to you to provide these items.
Over 7.4 billion cards were sold to Americans in one recent year, which amounts to about $6.85 billion dollars. About 1/3 of these cards were written by freelance writers. In an article by Sandra Louden, a freelance writer and teacher of a card writing class at Community College of Allegheny County ( Pittsburgh ) entitled Greeting Card Writing Information, she states, "Card writing isn't a get rich quick scheme, greeting card authors don't even get rich slow." But is something that is flexible, can be done from home and brings in a little extra money. It can be accomplished while you wait on other things; like doctors, dinner, kids and traffic. There are really no start up costs to speak of and a low upkeep in comparison to other writing fields. She makes the point that the field is virtually untapped for the freelancer, unlike the clogged competition of magazine or newspaper writing .
These are the general types of greeting cards:
- Traditional: Rhyming, metered poetry. These types of cards are usually done by an in-house staff, although freelancer's are making in roads here too.
- Contemporary Prose: Also referred to as 'conversational prose,' these cards sound like someone is talking. Freelance work is actively sought for these types of cards.
- Studio or Humorous: These cards are a reflection of current trends, frustrations and experiences. These are the most popular cards on the racks and help is always needed from freelancers.
- Alternate: Uses both contemporary and humor to put its message across. These cards would include single parenting, quitting smoking, terminal illness; reflecting the world around us. These cards use freelance writers as well.