Tuesday, November 26, 2019
AND A HAPPY ________TO YOU!
AND A HAPPY ________TO YOU! As an ex-full-time greeting card writer for the once third largest greeting card company in America Norcross (Hallmark being #1 and American Greeting #2), I thought Iââ¬â¢d pass on some info on this market from my years in the ââ¬Å"humorâ⬠department. It was fun being paid to sit and fold white paper from 9-5 everyday and come up with clever (and nice) ways to wish people happiness and well-being. Even though Norcross is now defunct, the rules for writing greeting cards havenââ¬â¢t altered much through the years. Yes, more risquà © humor has entered the market, as well as controversial subjects (such as divorce cards) but the basics havenââ¬â¢t changed. The most important basic is to keep it conversational: write as if talking to a friend. Never invert words or force a rhyme. Some companies still buy rhymes, but greeting card verse is NOT poetry since it is always conversational in style. Rhyming can work when itââ¬â¢s used with familiar figures of speech that are popular in everyday language. However, the main ingredient in a card is a wish, a greeting, a compliment or an expression of appreciation. Always keep the message informal. i.e. donââ¬â¢t say: Just like flowers, our friendship bloomsâ⬠¦ rather say: It means a lot to have you as a friendâ⬠¦ The more natural the verse, the more marketable the card, so if you wouldnââ¬â¢t speak it out loud, donââ¬â¢t write it. Keep it sounding genuine. A good idea before attempting greeting cards is to read and study the market (just like in any other market). Once you become familiar with whatââ¬â¢s published (without borrowing anything you see), jot down some of todayââ¬â¢s popular expressions. You can pick these up from TV, conversations, or hit songs. Then, think about what you would want to say to a friend or loved one on his birthday, anniversary or when theyââ¬â¢re ill. The ability to put yourself in the other personââ¬â¢s shoes is a successful tactic in writing a greeting card wish. Of course, youââ¬â¢ll find it easier to be funny and nasty than funny and nice! But most companies are looking for a pleasant wish to pass along. In submitting ideas, try to limit the number to no more than 10 at one time. Nowadays, depending on the company, you either submit one idea per page with SASE or type your ideas in the body of an email (no attachments allowed). Set up the card like this popular onc I once wrote for Norcross: The very best thing about the Old Days isâ⬠¦Inside: They were the YOUNG Days!Happy Birthday! Or this rhyming verse for ââ¬Å"Our Anniversaryâ⬠I always knew that we would shareA happiness beyond compareThrough ups and downs, through thick and thinInside: Iââ¬â¢m with you Ba Though both these verses have been around awhile, they are still viable for todayââ¬â¢s market because the sentiment is sincere and the language colloquial. Also, while greeting cards are sent mostly to celebrate an important sentimental or emotional occasion, donââ¬â¢t get too sappy or you could embarrass the one receiving it. And lastly, do limit the personal pronouns (me, I, we) because their usage could limit sales (of course, that does not include Special Title cards for Wife, Husband, Sister/Brother or Sweetheart). In closing may I say: May your verse be sweet and funny And bring you lots of extra money! Seven Current Greeting Card Markets Avanti Press Blue Mountain Pays well, sometimes asks to test market first Designer Greeting Moonlighting Cards Pays $25. Looking for ââ¬Å"loveâ⬠cards Oatmeal Studios ââ¬â Looking for humor CaddylackGraffixââ¬â funny and sarcastic cards
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