Have you always longed to work at home?  Do you have a creative streak?  If you answered “yes” to both of these questions, you may have what it takes to start a work-at-home greeting card business.

Artwork/graphic design and a written greeting are the two most important components of any greeting card.  Therefore, those who are most likely to realize success at a work-at-home greeting card business are those with either artistic/design or writing talent (or both.) 

Freelance writers and artists are always in demand in the greeting card industry.  If this prospect excites you, the next question is: How do I get started with a work-at-home greeting card business?

1) Put together a portfolio.  Greeting card companies need to see tangible evidence of your talent.  A portfolio should contain samples of your work.  It should include past works (even if they aren’t greeting card related), especially any work you’ve had published by other forums.  It should also include sample greeting cards. 

If you’ve never worked for a greeting card company before, you’ll have to come up with a few of your own samples/prototypes.  After all, any company that you might want to work for will need to know that you actually have a talent for producing greeting cards. 

2) Develop contacts.  Start with Internet research.  Locate greeting card companies using the Web.  Make a list that includes a variety of publishers (large as well as smaller, niche publishers).

Next, dig deeper.  Try to discover who is in charge of hiring or publishing.  Then, send out email inquiries.  It’s always best to address your inquiries to a specific person when you can.  If you can’t, then address inquiries to the editor or publisher. 

Your email should include a very short description of yourself, your skills and abilities, and what you feel you can contribute to the company.  Volunteer your portfolio, but don’t include it automatically, since many companies automatically filter out emails with attachments.  Keep it brief and to the point.

You can also develop contacts by attending writing/publishing trade shows and conferences.  This is a great way to make a personal impression.  It also gives you the opportunity to share your portfolio right away.

3) Be patient.  It can take some time to develop contacts and get responses from potential publishers.  Don’t give up on your work-at-home greeting card business.  If you don’t hear back from a potential publisher for a few weeks, drop another email.  Again, keep it brief.  Be tenacious but not pushy.

Don’t expect that you’ll be able to start your work-at-home greeting card business overnight.  Like any new business, it takes time to develop a plan and gain a reputation in the industry.  With persistence, though, you may be able to start slowly building your work-at-home greeting card business.  With hard, quality work you’ll eventually realize your dream and be able to work at home full time.

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Photo courtesy of Zsuzsanna Kilian

Tags: greeting card business, work at home, work at home greeting card business

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