Making and selling homemade greeting cards is a great way to make money.It takes a lot of time to break into a business.Before attempting to break into larger companies, you should establish your product and consider your market.
Step 1: You should research the market.
If you want to break into the greeting card business, you need to know about the current market.Take some time to review the market trends.Rhyming greeting cards were once fashionable, but in recent years the push has been towards funny cards or cards with brief, sincere statements.Rhyming words are usually reserved for crude cards.The greeting card company has a steady business.Despite the rise of e-cards, greeting cards remain a staple aspect of holidays and birthdays.You can sell your own greeting cards if you want to.There are peaks in the market.During wedding seasons, cards may sell well.Increased sales can be seen during the fall and summer weddings.
Step 2: Decide on a brand.
The defining aspect of your company is your brand.How do you market your product?Are your cards sincere?Are you selling something that is funny, provocative, and crude?It is possible to increase the likelihood of selling your cards by having a recognizable brand type.The greeting card industry is very competitive.Don't be afraid to let your personality show through because cards that are unique tend to sell better.Anything that distinguishes you can help.Determine your brand by targeting your audience.Are you going to sell cards to the younger generation?Are you making cards for children, teens, and adults?Pick a target audience that you have a personal connection with.If you're a 20-something with no interest in children, it's probably not a good idea to write birthday cards for them.You might be able to sell greeting cards to young adults.
Step 3: If necessary, make a team.
If you have a lot of experience with design and illustration, you may need to put together a team.If you have a great idea, but not great at drawing, reach out to an illustrator.If you can't think of a funny or interesting caption for your drawings, try talking to a writer.Take some time to think about how big of a team you need.
Step 4: Get some education.
It takes more than artistic talent to sell greeting cards.You need to know how to market yourself.You can take a business or marketing course online.This can help you get the skills you need to succeed.
Step 5: The necessary supplies should be obtained.
You can make a small batches of cards once you've decided on a brand.Make around 50 to 100 and see how well they sell.The proper paper for your greeting cards can help them sell.Premium paper stocks include 16-point gloss cover or 13-point matt cover.There is a print shop that sells the proper paper.There are different sizes of greeting cards that can be printed.For the majority of the time, they're 3.5-inch by 5-inch, 4.25-Inch by 6-Inch, or 5 inch by 7-inch.To sell alongside the cards, you'll need big enough envelops.You will probably need a special printer to print cards.You can pay to use the right printer at a local print shop, even if you don't want to buy a printer yourself.You can get supplies at your local craft store.You can use glitter, glue, and other items to make your greeting cards stand out.
Step 6: Pick a card type.
At the moment, cards that look meticulously crafted and unique are in, so put some extra effort into your cards.There are different types of greeting cards.You can peak inside a window card if the cover has sections removed.A window is created into a scene.It's fun around the holidays.Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving themed window cards are available.There are also cards with decorations.Customers love the homemade feel of these.There is an assortment of decorations on the card.You could glue bits of wrapping paper, ribbon, and a stick of a birthday cake on the front of the card.The letters "Happy Birthday" need to be from a local newspaper or magazine.At the moment, there are more elaborate decorations.There are cards with slots to place money or gift cards, as well as cards that can be folded into different shapes.When creating your cards, use your imagination.
Step 7: Write content should be decided on.
Do you think your cards will be sweet and sincere?Is it funny or sarcastic?If any, decide what written content to include.People like having quotes inside cards.You need to be careful when selecting quotations, especially if you're looking online, but this could help your cards sell.Quote Garden and Brainy Quote are examples of sites where quotes are misattributed.
Step 8: If necessary, seek help outside.
If you have a great idea for a card, consult your team.Ask someone who has worked with a product to help you with it.You can take courses at local community centers that teach you how to decorate and draw.The skills needed to make stand out greeting cards could be learned from this.
Step 9: Do you know if a local store sells your cards?
Before you try to sell the cards to a big company, you should test them out.The cards with a small local following have a better chance of selling.If the owner of the store you're familiar with is willing to carry your cards for a short period of time, that's a good sign.If you're interested in testing out your product, tell the owner.Be persistent if one owner says no.There are several shops around town.
Step 10: Set up at a craft show.
If you want to get your product noticed, you can set up at local craft shows.If you want to get a booth at a craft show, you have to make a bunch of cards.Make sure you pay attention to how people respond to your cards.In regards to your greeting cards, try to get a sense of what you're doing right and wrong.If you are asked if you make cards using specific colors or specific events, try incorporating these suggestions into the next batches of cards.
Step 11: There is a social media presence.
Many companies started out with a strong social media presence.You need to market yourself online if you want to make and sell greeting cards.You can create a Facebook page for your cards with a fun name.You should invite people who you think would be interested.Ask them to spread the word.You should share media on a regular basis.When you produce a new card, always let your fans know where they can buy it.
Step 12: You can research greeting card companies.
You should start researching greeting card companies once you have established a small following.They have guidelines for submissions and how to send in ideas.If greeting card companies accept outside designs and new ideas, contact them.If you're careful, you may find a company looking for new ideas if you stick to established providers.
Step 13: You can sell your cards online.
It's a great way to break into the market.It is possible to build a small following by selling your cards online.It's easy to use and inexpensive.It's easier to sell cards online than in a store.
Step 14: Provide a fixture to sell your cards.
It's difficult to break into the greeting card business.There are small things you can do to increase your chances of getting your cards picked up.Provide your own fixture to display your cards.You can buy cheap items at furniture stores.
Step 15: Guidelines can be followed for bigger companies.
Make sure you follow the submission guidelines of the bigger greeting card company.They look for excuses to ignore portfolios when they get a lot of submissions.A small mistake could cause your product to be thrown away.
Step 16: Avoid order minimums and offer free shipping.
It is possible to increase your likelihood of selling your products by giving perks to bigger companies.Don't have order minimums for your cards.Bigger companies will be attracted by this as it lowers risk.Companies don't have to pay for more cards than they think they will sell.The cost of purchase is reduced by free shipping.As you get established, you will be able to charge for shipping and require minimums.It's a good idea to offer perks when starting out.
Step 17: Keep trying.
It's normal in the greeting card business.It can take a long time to get established.Accepting rejections with a grain of salt is all you can do.It's important to keep a positive attitude and remember that setbacks and rejections are a key part of any success story.