Making and selling greeting cards is a fun way to earn extra income from home. However, for your card to sell, you need to be patient. Develop products and study the market first before you try to market cards to big companies.
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Method 1 of 4: Starting a Business
Step 1. Do market research
If you are going to start selling greeting cards, know the current market conditions by monitoring greeting card trends.
- In the past, rhyming greeting cards were quite popular in the market, but now the most sought after greeting cards are funny or short greeting cards. Rhyming words are usually used for funny or rude greeting cards.
- Fortunately, the greeting card business is quite stable. Even though social networks and digital greeting cards are now widely used, greeting cards are still sought after on holidays. In addition, greeting cards are also sought to enliven the birthday event. Hence, selling homemade greeting cards can be a stable long term profession.
- Pay attention to when greeting cards are selling well in the market. Generally, greeting cards are much sought after during the holiday and wedding seasons. Wedding receptions are generally held in the middle of the year. So, your turnover may increase during this time.
Step 2. Create a brand
Brand is the most important aspect of your business. What are the advantages of your product? Are your greeting cards sweet and genuine, or funny and sometimes rude? With a clear and easily recognizable brand, your greeting cards will be more able to survive in the market.
- Remember that the greeting card industry is very competitive. Unique greeting cards generally sell better, so feel free to show your personality on the card. Although your idea may be considered strange, the uniqueness of the idea can be sold.
- Target cards to specific buyer segments to help build a brand. Is your card aimed at teenagers, children or adults? Make sure the segment of buyers you are targeting matches your soul. For example, if you are a teenager who does not like children, it is not recommended that you make a greeting card for the child. Instead, try making greeting cards for teens, which might sell better.
Step 3. Create a team if needed
You may need help if you are not experienced in card design and illustration. If you're having trouble putting your ideas in graphic form, consider paying an illustrator. If your drawings are great, but you can't write the words for the greeting cards, try contacting a cartoonist or writer. Calculate the number of people you need, and ask like-minded people to join the team.
Step 4. Consider continuing education
Creativity and talent alone are not enough to sell greeting cards. You also need to know how to market cards effectively. Therefore, consider taking a business or marketing class at a nearby campus (or via the internet). By taking these classes, you can prepare yourself to sell cards.
Method 2 of 4: Making Cards
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
After branding and assembling a team, make small batches of greeting cards (eg 50-100 pieces) to test the market.
- Quality cards will sell better, so make sure you use the right paper (such as 16-point gloss or 13-point matte) for the card. Buy card paper at the nearest printer.
- You can print greeting cards in various sizes. However, most greeting cards are 8.9 x 12.5 cm, 10, 7 x 15 cm, or 12.5 x 17.5 cm. Also prepare envelopes that are larger than greeting cards for sale.
- You may need a special printer to make greeting cards. If you don't want to buy your own printer because it's expensive, you can print greeting cards at a printer.
- Purchase equipment for decorating cards at an art supply store. Glitter, glue, and other decorations will strengthen your card design.
Step 2. Decide what type of card you will make
Now, unique handmade cards are sought after by buyers. Therefore, try to make cards that are unique, and know the various types of greeting cards that are in demand.
- A window-shaped card is a card that has the front cut off, so the buyer can peek into it. On the inside of the card, there are scenes and decorations. This card is very popular in the holiday season. You can make window-shaped cards for Eid, Christmas, or New Year's greetings.
- Cards with decorative patches (scrapbooks) are also sought after by buyers because they seem handmade. Scrapbook cards are made by pasting various decorations on good quality paper. For example, a birthday scrapbook may contain scraps of wrapping paper, ribbon, a picture of a birthday cake, and the letters that make up the newspaper/magazine "Happy Birthday" on the front.
- Now, greeting cards with festive decorations are in demand. Pop-up cards, cards that can be folded into other shapes, and cards with holes to store money/vouchers are preferred by buyers. Use your imagination when creating greeting cards.
Step 3. Prepare the words to fill in the greeting card, if any
Is your card sweet and warm, or funny and sarcastic? Many people like cards with funny or evocative quotes. Words on greeting cards can increase sales, but remember that you have to choose them carefully, especially if you are looking for quotes online. Quotes from sites like Quote Garden and Brainy Quote are often untraceable.
Step 4. Seek help if needed
If you're not very good at making crafts but have an interesting greeting card idea, consult your team. Enlist the help of a more experienced team member to help you produce a product. If necessary, you can also take art courses at the nearest community center. The class will teach you the basics of scrapbooking, decorating, and drawing so you can make your own greeting cards.
Method 3 of 4: Testing the Product
Step 1. Leave the card at a store near the house, and monitor sales before trying to sell the card to a large company
If your card sells in a small neighborhood, you may be able to expand the market. Call a small shop owner you know and leave your card for sale there. Say that you want to try your luck in the greeting card field. If your card is not accepted at one store, try another. Do not give up.
Step 2. Open a booth at a local art fair
Local art fairs are one way to sell your greeting cards. Make greeting cards to sell at fairs, and buy space at those shows. Pay attention to the response of visitors to your card, and know what to improve on the card. For example, if a lot of visitors ask you to make a card in a certain color, or for a certain holiday, try to fulfill that request.
Step 3. Create social media accounts
Many entrepreneurs are starting to market their products through social media. If you want to make and sell greeting cards, you have to advertise on the internet.
- Create a Facebook page for your card, with a catchy and funny name. Invite friends who might be interested in your card, and ask them to share your card's Facebook page.
- Share media regularly. Make sure your fans know when your new card is complete, and where they can buy it.
Step 4. Pay attention to well-known greeting card manufacturers
Once your card has become popular, start paying attention to other card manufacturers. Find ways to send card ideas, and find out what ideas they receive.
Contact several greeting card companies, and ask if they accept third-party card designs or ideas. Certain greeting card companies, such as Hallmark, may already have a dedicated designer, but if you look around, you'll find companies looking for new ideas
Step 5. Try selling cards on the internet
One way to start marketing your cards is to sell them on sites like Etsy. You don't have to spend a lot of money to start selling on the internet, and you might even be able to gather fans. For many people, selling cards on the internet is easier than selling them through a physical location.
Method 4 of 4: Selling Cards in the Shop
Step 1. Set up a shelf to sell cards
Becoming a greeting card entrepreneur can be tough, but you can get started by taking a few simple steps. For example, offer a card rack at a nearby store. You can buy a shelf for displaying cards at a low price at a furniture store, or on the internet.
Step 2. If you're sending your portfolio to a large company, follow the company's guidelines for submitting work
Since large companies usually receive lots of idea submissions, make sure you submit your work according to the rules so that your work is not ignored. Even a small mistake can make your work go to waste.
Step 3. Offer free shipping, and avoid setting a minimum order quantity
Offering benefits to large companies will increase the chances of your product being noticed. With no minimum order, companies can minimize risk because they don't have to buy more cards than the cards sold. In addition, free shipping can reduce the capital a company needs to spend. Keep in mind that as your greeting cards are getting more and more popular, you will be able to set a minimum order quantity, and collect postage. However, when starting a business, you should offer benefits for the company.
Step 4. Don't give up
Rejection is a common thing in the greeting card business. You may need a long time for your card to be known to consumers. Just ignore the rejections you get, and keep trying to make cards. Keep a positive attitude, and remember that rejection is the key to success.
