New Writing Adventure

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   Crazdwriterposted 15 years ago

   While chatting with a fellow hubber, Steven, we were talking about how we liked to make people cry with cute sayings in cards and how my dad would ask me to help him out to write something sweet in a card for a wedding or something like that.
   
   So I started to look and came across an article about greatting cards and sending in verses to see if they will buy them. I was shocked at how much they pay for a verse. $50-150 even $500 for a verse. nice!
   
   So I was thinking and even my mom said it was a good idea for now while I am looking for a job, of sending in versus to greeting card places.
   
   Was wondering what others think about doing this? I want to look up greeting card companies but not sure which ones to check out to see if they accept versus from a nobody like me. What do you guys think? Good idea? Bad idea? what greeting card companies should I check out?

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   h.a.borcichposted 15 years ago

   Years ago it was fun - but mostly I was paid in cards I wish you well in whatever you do Crazed , Holly

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      Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      thanks h.a. wouldn't be something I would do the entire time lol or maybe I would never know lol

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         h.a.borcichposted 15 years agoin reply to this

           Maybe you can come up with your own cards and market?
         You never know

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            Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            hmmmm yea only problem is...I can't draw so then i can't do my own cards haha

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               Uninvited Writerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

               Can you take photographs? Or you could use stock photography...

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                  Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                  hehe nope not even a good photographer and stock photography? is that like pics from online?

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   cmanyposted 15 years ago

   Ya know, if it is something that you like to do, and you can get paid for it - I say go for it...
   
   Doing this shouldnt hurt you in any way, right...so why not...I say go for it...and who knows...you may sell some...
   
   Good luck
   
   Christine

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      Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      thanks cmany...I am excited about this new adventure...just to see if i have it in me for writing sweet greeting cards. I can't write witty but I can do sweet

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   Ivorwenposted 15 years ago

   It is something I have always enjoyed doing.  As a kid, I wanted to design greeting cards, and made a whole bunch of samples, but that is all the farther it ever went.
   
   I would want to know how your ownership will be protected.  The amount they pay is high, but considering how much cards sell for, it does not seem unreasonable.  How do you ensure that it is not stolen, or slightly rewritten, and then sold, without you receiving any payment?  I hate being sceptical, but that is the one question I would want fully answered before I submitted anything. 
   
   Really, it sound exciting.

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      Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yes that is a reasnable question to think about Ivorwen. But I seriously doubt that big names like Hallmark would do something like that..or I HOPE they wouldn't...I think if you have copies of what you wrote then you'll be okay.

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         ncmonroe1981posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Crazdwriter, you said, "I seriously doubt that big names like Hallmark would do something like that..or I HOPE they wouldn't...I think if you have copies of what you wrote then you'll be okay."
         
         
         I would hope that companies wouldn't do things like that as well, but I wouldn't trust anyone with my personal work, especially since it's apparently quite valuable. If you do send something to anyone, no matter who it is, protect yourself and protect your work. A simple copy of your work would not stand up in a court of law, should it come to that. Call the companies (or go to their websites) beforehand to find out about their submission protocols. Send things via certified mail so that you have proof of submission and acceptance. Send yourself copies of your original works via certified mail and don't open them, so you have a clear record (by postmark) of the prior existence of your creations.
         
         Other than that, go for it! Just don't go in blind.
         
         NinaCarmen

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            Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            thanks Nina! I totally forgot how a friend told me about doing that, sending myself a copy in the mail so then I'll be protected. it's a good idea and will definitely do that.
            
            And hey welcome to hubpages!

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               ncmonroe1981posted 15 years agoin reply to this

               Thanks for the welcome! I'm glad you'll go ahead and send your work to yourself. I'd hate to see something happen to anyone's creative property.
               
               Good luck with it! You'll have to  let us know how it goes; I want to hear when Hallmark picks up one of your verses!
               
               NinaCarmen

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                  Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                  if Hallmark picked up one of my verses I would faint...then get back to you guys

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   TMinutposted 15 years ago

   That's something I considered long ago but I just don't write poetry of any sort, not that it has to be. Some have beautiful thoughts in them.
   (By the way "versus" means against; "verses" is the plural of verse).

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      Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      lmao oops thanks for correcting me there hehe.
      And they don't care about poetry they just wanted something sweet or witty written

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   Katelyn Weelposted 15 years ago

   What an interesting idea, I think it's a great way to make a few bucks if it works out. But like Ivorwen said, make sure you know about your ownership rights first. I'm sure a quick google search would yield some suggestions as to which greeting card companies you could check out. Web sites for different companies usually have a "careers" button or something like it near the bottom of the page, and if all else fails "contact us" is always good!
   
   Good luck with it and please keep us posted, I'm very interested to hear how this goes for you!

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      Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      thanks Katelyn...I am thinking of maybe Hallmark will be on the top of my list to send lol since they are the most well known. And yea I'll keep you guys posted

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   Cagsilposted 15 years ago

   Sounds like a pretty good idea Crazd.
   
   I agree with other Hubbers. If protected and they honestly pay good money. I don't see why not.

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      Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      thakns cags...I am going to try to think of nice things in  my head soon.

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   TMinutposted 15 years ago

   Cards are sold so many places, for all occasions and no occasions, they must need fresh writers often. I wish you lots of success!

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      Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      thanks TMinut. I also posted this in case others might want to try it out for themselves. I like giving other ppl ideas too and maybe someone else might want to try tihs out too.

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   Uninvited Writerposted 15 years ago

   I've thought about doing that occasionally. Writer's Digest has information on what greeting card companies are looking for freelancers and what their terms are. I assume it would also say something on their websites.

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      Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      thought about it? how come you didn't do it also UW? and yeaI did see a few with what they want on their websites I am going to do my HW first before sending in verses though.

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    Stevennix2001posted 15 years ago

    well its like the  old saying goes, what else do you have to lose.  you can't win, unless you try you know.

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       Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       You gonna try it out too Steven?

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          Stevennix2001posted 15 years agoin reply to this

          sure, why not.  i just need to figure out how to get started first though.

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             Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Look at the website I found and start there. pick some places, ask about the submission info and start writing out verses so you can see where you want them to go

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                Stevennix2001posted 15 years agoin reply to this

                oh okay.  thanks.  i appreciate the advice.

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                   Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                   Good luck to you Steven and let me know how it goes! Keep me posted on how it goes and if you sell any too

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                      Stevennix2001posted 15 years agoin reply to this

                      i will.  you too. i hope your very successful.

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                         Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                         Hope that we are BOTH successful

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                            Stevennix2001posted 15 years agoin reply to this

                            lol.  as do i.  however, i think of couple of talented writers like ourselves can pull it off though.

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    Crazdwriterposted 15 years ago

    http://www.helium.com/items/509907-how- … nce-writer
    
    Website with greeting card companies that accept freelance writers! So ppl if you are intersted in it like myself and Steven, bookmark this website

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    manlypoetrymanposted 15 years ago

    Go For It...and When You Become Tremendously Wealthy from Doing This...Don't Forget All Your Friends Here At Hub World !

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       Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Now how can I forget about my buddies here at hubpages?

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          manlypoetrymanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Yeah...that's what I'm saying....Guess you could always send us a Hallmark!

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             Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             lol I could do that I think lmao but will definitely let you guys know if I sell any of my verses...wait! Does that mean I have to think now? dang it!

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    Crazdwriterposted 15 years ago

    aaa Hallmark doesn't take freelance writings Oh well NEXT!

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    thisisoliposted 15 years ago

    Hey,
    
    I have heard it is pretty difficult, to get in to greeting card writing.  the money sounds good though, so give it a shot!

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       Crazdwriterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       yea I've heard that too but hey it's worth a shot right? thanks thisisoli

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    Lisa HWposted 15 years ago

    From what I've heard (in the past, not recently), it can be tricky.  People do learn how to send submissions in, and they may buy some; but sometimes companies will do a whole thing where they aren't taking more submissions.  To the best of my understanding, they expect submissions in huge quanities (or at least that's how it was at one time).  They don't want six or ten submissions, I believe.   There are different types of greeting card companies, though, so it's different with some of the more famous ones than smaller ones.  Where you'd find out about what's out there is in writers' markets, under, of course, greeting-cards.  If I recall correctly, a lot of the larger companies hire their own writers, who churn out verses.  It was awhile ago I looked into it.
    
    Another thing anyone (who's inclined to be able to market this this type of thing) would be to have your own made.  You could always link up with someone who can produce artwork to go with the verses.

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