A greeting card writer uses prose and poetry to express sentiments about important events. Your words will be joy and comfort to people at significant times in their lives. This page will help you learn how to become a greeting card writer.

• Sometimes writing a few clear crisp lines is more difficult than writing an entire page. If you are an expert at selecting just the right word, you might find work as a greeting card writer rewarding. In order to succeed at this career, you should get an education and develop a freelance portfolio. You can then continue as a freelancer, or apply for a job with a greeting card company.

(Creative Commons photo by aNantaB)

• While a college degree is not essential, it can help to improve both your writing and the experience you bring to the craft.

1. Most greeting card writiers major in English, but a major in communications, marketing, or psychology would also be helpful.
2. Regardless of whether or not you earn a college degree, attend creative writing seminars to continue to polish your craft.
3. Pay attention to trends in popular culture that could be expressed in greeting cards.

• Greeting card companies purchase some messages from freelancers. Building a freelance portfolio will help you get a full time staff job at a greeting card company, and provide supplemental income as well. Here are a few companies that purchase freelance submissions:
  • Comstock: Guideline Faqs
  • Blue Mountain Arts: Greeting Card Writings
  • P.S. Greetings, Inc.: Artist Guidelines

• You can apply for a staff job at a greeting card company, using your freelance portfolio as part of your application. If not hired as a writer, you could apply for a proofreading job, or volunteer to work as an intern while continuing to freelance.