ARTICLE BY RANDY WILSON

CHUBS: The article is light on the details, but it’s a pretty good overview and idea jogger.

Do you like to create pictures and designs, or write? Do you love to look at the greeting cards in your local stores? Then a greeting card home business could be for you.

The first step is to decide what part of the greeting card business you want to focus on. As a freelance greeting card artist, you could focus only on designing cards for other companies. There are costs associated with this option, such as the cost of computer equipment, software and materials.

If you decide to be a freelance greeting card writer, on the other hand, your business would focus on only writing the phrases to be used on greeting cards. For this, you only need a computer and quick turn around time.

Of course, you can always freelance as both a writer and artist.

To get jobs in these areas, you must contact companies to see if they are in need of freelancers. They pay from $50 to several hundred dollars per assignment. However, until you build up a portfolio of samples, and sometimes even after, jobs can be hard to find.

Another option is to purchase a vending route from a larger greeting card company. This route becomes your way of starting a greeting card company. You will be required to keep current clients stocked with cards, replace old cards with new ones and get new clients to build your income. You have start up costs that can run from several hundred to several thousand dollars in inventory. However, when you take the cards to the clients, you receive your payment right then.

If you want to start your own line of cards, your greeting card business plan would focus on all aspects of the greeting card business. You will design and write each greeting card inside and out. Your creative freedom would not be hindered by someone telling you what they want. You would make all the decisions, and it would truly be your greeting card business.

Being a greeting card home business owner would make the Internet your best marketing tool. You wouldn’t be able to compete with larger greeting card companies, so you will want to create a special niche for your cards on the Web and in small local stores.

This option requires research before beginning the creation of cards. You will need to price printing services and software. Once you have this information, you can begin creating. At the same time, think of a name for your business and create a website.

Websites are very easy to create, depending on the provider you decide on. Research domain name registries and website providers. The more webpages and information you want to provide may influence the website’s cost. Your website should be able to be effective without many extras at first. The extras can come later.

Once your website is ready, put pictures of your cards and ordering information into it. If you create the website yourself or pay someone else to do it, make sure the site is search engine optimized. This will bring more people to your site and start buying your cards.

Since some people like to hold cards and feel their quality before purchasing, it may be best to have your site offer one free card, or one free sample package, per household. This gets your cards on the market and helps drive customers to your website. Also, consider creating a special “Thank You” card that you personalize for all inquiries and orders. This is another way to let people know the quality of your cards.

Have the cards printed as the orders come in to the website. Offer personalized cards to increase sales. Make sure you have plenty of designs for each category. You want your website to look full, but not cluttered.

You now are aware of several of the options available to you to start your greeting card home business. The next step is to decide which is the best option for you. This business can grow to be as large or as small as you want it.

Randy Wilson publishes the Profitable Home Businesses website, offering dozens of home based business articles.

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