Have a way with words?
If so, you could make money by submitting greeting card writings to companies like Hallmark.
The greeting card industry is huge in the US, netting around $7.5 billion a year. And it is such a serious part of American lifestyle that we even have a Greeting Card Association!
In fact, the Greeting Card Association conducted a survey and found that 30% of people who received a greeting card were going to keep it forever.
That explains why greeting cards are always in demand. So much so that the companies behind them are willing to pay you for new greeting card writings.
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The process is very similar to submitting poems for money.
You submit your work, and if they like it, you get paid.
Table of Contents
Get Paid to Submit Your Greeting Cards
So, what companies can you pitch your ideas to?
Below, we’ll list some of the best companies that pay you to write greeting cards for them.
1. Hallmark
- Submission form/page: https://corporate.hallmark.com/faqs/inventors-idea-submitters/
Perhaps the most famous greeting card publisher, Hallmark doesn’t actually accept outside submissions.
They have their own in-house team of writers that write all of their greeting cards.
So, if you want to make money writing greeting cards for Hallmark, you will probably have to move to Kansas City, MO, as the company is headquartered there.
The reason I am mentioning it on this list is because I know the first company most people think of when it comes to writing greeting cards is Hallmark.
So I wanted to answer the question of whether or not they accept freelance writers, which unfortunately they don’t. But we have more companies that do!
2. NobleWorks Cards
- Submission form/page: https://www.nobleworkscards.com/nobleworks-greeting-cards-submission-guidelines.html
When it comes to humorous cards, NobleWorks Cards is one of the top publishers.
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If you can come up with funny greeting card messages, this is where you can make good money submitting your work.
Pay varies based on the work.
3. American Greetings
- Submission form/page: http://corporate.americangreetings.com/contact.html
You’ve almost definitely heard of this big card company.
These guys don’t accept just anybody, though, so you’ll need to get in contact with them and arrange a formal exchange of ideas.
4. Smart Alex
- Update: No longer in business!
This is a greeting card company that targets the adult demographic and has a heavy preference for mature and topical cards.
That means your risqué suggestions go here—though they do prefer that you keep it out of the “filthy” territory.
5. RSVP
- Submission form/page: https://www.creativersvp.com/reservations/
Like most other companies on this list, RSVP also publishes cards for any occasion—from holidays to birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and more.
They’re looking for writers who can craft authentic, emotionally inspired, clever, and original greeting card messages.
They also accept work from artists. So if you wanna make money drawing and designing original greeting card artwork, give them a try.
6. Moonlighting Cards
- Update: No longer in business!
These guys occasionally run a contest that accepts written submissions.
Keep your eye out, and you could make an easy $25 for being accepted.
7. Shade Tree Greetings
- Submission form/page: https://media.wix.com/ugd/11d2b6_271fe81b6df24a5f86a27c21f659d65a.pdf
This one is a little different from the others. Here, you don’t get paid for writing; rather, you get paid for submitting pictures!
You see, they have a category of cards known as “Actual Pictures,” which are basically greeting cards with real pictures instead of drawings.
These pictures come from, you guessed it, people like you and me.
They like old family photos, especially unusual or funny ones.
If they accept and use your picture, they’ll send you a $100 gift certificate to CoolFunnyGifts.com.
8. Avanti Press
- Submission form/page: https://www.avantipress.com/careers/writing-submission-form
A pretty large distributor of cards, Avanti Press has unfortunately filled all their positions.
But they’re on this list because they’re accepting work for future contributors, so you should definitely send over a work sample while you’re at it.
9. Gallant Greetings
- Submission form/page: https://www.gallantgreetings.com/contact.cfm
Another company that is accepting future considerations.
Make sure you keep a copy of your submission, as they do not send the original back. This applies to every company—always have a backup of your work.
10. ComStock
- Update: No longer in business!
An adult-focused company, ComStock pays $50 for accepted submissions.
Artists earn a varied wage.
This company seems to be a bit raunchier than Smart Alex.
11. Calypso Cards
- Submission form/page: https://www.calypsocards.com/Submissions_ep_49.html
Calypso Cards is a company that sells “sophisticated, contemporary, and innovative” greeting cards.
They work with freelance artists, illustrators, and ghostwriters to create original artwork.
You can submit work for all kinds of occasions, including:
- Birthday
- Thank You
- Anniversary
- Wedding, Baby, Sympathy
- Get Well
- Friendship
- Valentine’s Day
- Christmas
- Thanksgiving
- New Year
- and more.
I couldn’t find any information about the pay, but I’m sure they’ll let you know once they accept your submission.
12. FineArtAmerica (formerly JQ Greetings)
- Submission form/page: https://fineartamerica.com/registrationartiststep1.php?newregistration=true
When the company was under the JQ Greetings name, they used to accept submissions and pay writers directly. However, after merging with Fine Art America, things have changed.
Since the change, Fine Art America is basically a fine art platform where you can create and sell your own customized artwork, including greeting cards.
13. P.S. Greetings
- Update: No longer in business!
Enclose a SASE when you apply here! These guys only accept submissions through mail.
They also have an emphasis on Christmas cards, so keep that in consideration.
No word on their payment, as it changes per person.
14. Viabella
- Update: No longer accepting submissions!
Viabella accepts submissions for all holidays and occasions, including humor. They have a lengthy review process that can take 3-6 weeks.
Pay varies based on work.
15. Blue Mountain Arts
- Submission form/page: https://www.sps.com/book-submission-guidelines
This is a more family-friendly greeting card company that emphasizes interpersonal relationships.
They accept submissions via email and snail mail, but one important note: no rhyming poetry!
16. Freedom Greetings
- Update: Out of business!
The website doesn’t offer much information, except that they are interested in submissions.
We can’t provide much more detail, but it’s worth sending a sample while you’re applying to the other sites.
17. Oatmeal Studios
- Submission form/page: https://oatmealstudios.com/html/pages/write-guide.php
This company tries to cover a wide variety of demographics. I couldn’t find information on their pay, but they are definitely accepting original submissions.
18. Shoebox Cards
- Update: No longer accepting submissions!
Shoebox has a particular request: do not send more than eight submissions at once!
Other than that, they are currently accepting submissions. Shoebox is now a subunit of Hallmark, but you can email the submission director about freelance opportunities.
19. Card Gnome
- Update: Out of business!
Card Gnome is sort of like eBay or Etsy for greeting cards. You submit the design, and they handle everything else, from customization to printing the actual cards, shipping, and payments.
The best part is that you can earn royalties each time someone buys your card.
20. It Takes Two
- Submission form/page: https://ittakestwo.com/contact/
They’re pretty explicit about being an in-house operation, but word is that they may accept submissions if you email them discreetly.
21. Ephemera
- Update: No longer accepting submissions!
We’ll end with Ephemera, a company that is more focused on merchandise like stickers than on greeting cards.
Don’t let that dissuade you, though: you could earn an easy $50 if your idea is accepted for their products.
Guidelines
Remember, no matter who you’re submitting to, there will be submission guidelines!
Some companies post them directly on their site, while others may ask you to email them.
Don’t hesitate to email—it’s always important to follow these instructions.
What about small companies?
Yes, you can submit to smaller companies.
If you know of any companies that aren’t on the list, you should still feel free to approach them.
In fact, there might be even less competition if you do.
Either approach a local business or make a quick Google search for Greeting Card Jobs.
Greeting Card Writer Salary
So how much money can you really make writing greeting cards?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a greeting card writer is around $70,000.
With the companies listed above, freelance or non-contracted writers/artists can earn from $50 for an idea all the way up to $300.
Obviously, the better you are at it and the more you write, the more you can make.
The above list doesn’t contain all the information on payment for greeting cards. There is quite a variance in payment, ranging from just a few bucks to a few hundred dollars.
Final Thoughts
In this field, originality is key. However, you probably won’t find much success by pitching your wildest ideas. A balance is ideal.
Study what others are doing, especially specific to the niche you are submitting to.
Your dirty jokes might be accepted by one company but could offend another. Similarly, poems about friendship won’t appeal to those who favor raunchy humor.
It’s all about offering something similar to what they’re already selling, but with your personal twist.
There’s a strong chance you’ll get at least one acceptance if you study the market and infuse your originality into it.
Just like any other creative writing job, such as video game writing jobs, writing and submitting greeting cards for money is also a matter of playing your cards right!
I’m a young writer who’s looking to put my words out
Ivory, have you tried freelancing sites to get your feet wet?
I’m a writer of very many poems… An would like to see how to get started.. My work is very talented
Maybe get signed by someone?
I’ve been self employed in the capacity of tapping thoughts, feelings, and descriptions onto paper and a screen for nearly thirty years. Much of what I’ve written does fall under the heading of, “adult,” but I also do mainstream. I’ve composed greeting cards for most any occasion, rhyming and non-rhyming as a…”local sale,” personalized, side-line endeavor. I would enjoy a side step into doing more greeting card writing instead of reviews, stories, descriptions, advice columns, etc. I don’t have an uploaded website, my work has always been gained through word of mouth advertising/referral. I’ve been contemplating e-books, and will forge ahead in making that happen, but I would seriously enjoy a regular telecommuting work relationship in doing greeting cards. I would certainly fit the “erotic niche” if there’s a market for such.
Ann, have you tried getting in touch with one of the companies mentioned here?
Also, even if there is no adult niche now for greeting cards, you can create it yourself. Sell your own cards on a handmade stuff site like Etsy.
Hello, Satrap!
Many thanks for your response. I’m in the process now of, “touching base” with some of the above mentioned companies, with hope they may be in need of another writer to join their staff.
I’ve read much about Etsy, and have a few friends utilizing that resource for selling handmade / DIY items. I’ve not delved into it before – but I’ll do some investigating in regards to any policy boundaries in regards to things more of the, “adult” nature.
Thank you again, very much!!!
~Ann
You’re very welcome, Anne.
I am happy you’re already taking action and are trying to get in touch with some of these companies. I wish you the best. Keep us updated please.
Helo satrap..i hav locked up my heart against any hope of getting my talent to a better place until i stumbled upon your post.i must confess i was impressed.I hav some poems dat i conposed myself,although i am not sure if they are worth the booze.pls how can I make little money from it knowing the fact that I am an Amateur in this regard?
Victor, check out this post (it lists 35 places you can submit your poems to for cash): https://moneypantry.com/get-paid-to-write-poetry/
do you get to retain the rights to your poem
I think it comes down to the company you are working with. I would think that may be the case with most places. But to be sure, contact and ask the companies you are interested in working with.
This is one I thought of last year when i was in a bad place in life what do people think.
(On the outside i try to seem strong, act like i kno whats going on. On the inside im scared and locked away, dont kno what to really do or say. My days they come they go, some go so fast like a blurr i just dont kno. Everything seems so strange at times it seems to change to fast for me to kno. Lifes so strange it makes me want to float away and find a hiding place some where alone under a loving dome where no one knos what it is to be alone if i could take one thing with me it would be nothing but the best of me)
When I’m shopping for greeting cards, I compare the words on the cards with what I would like to say. Most times, I can’t find what I’m looking for on a greeting card. I’ve been told many times that I should go for it.
I’m retired now and really don’t know where to start. Sometimes, I just think maybe I should just give it up but then I look at some of the greeting cards nowadays and know I can do a heck of a lot better.