I've been trying to write some funny lines for greetings cards but come up with rejections from the companies.
Anyone any got any tips?
Thanks in advance.
Funny Cards.
Give up?
I'm pretty convinced by now that there is no such thing as a funny greetings card.
I have got a few funny cards..... and I mean a few.
Quote: Afinkawan @ January 5 2009, 4:24 PM GMTGive up?
I'm pretty convinced by now that there is no such thing as a funny greetings card.
Tell that to Lee. To his face I mean!
Quote: bigfella @ January 5 2009, 4:10 PM GMTI've been trying to write some funny lines for greetings cards but come up with rejections from the companies.
Anyone any got any tips?
Thanks in advance.
Bigfella
I kind of make my living writing gags for greeting cards and have done for too many years.
PM me examples of your stuff / who you sent it to and I'll give you my thoughts. I will say though that persistance and volume are paramount to success. Out of every 100 ideas I send in I generally sell about 10, which is considered a high strike rate amongst card copywriters.
Also bear in mind that for the first two years of writing it was just pin money coming through. It wasn't until I'd been writing cards for about 5 years that I could truly say I was earning a real living. It takes time to build up a trust between you and teh companies involved.
Once your feet are under the table though it can be good. I know a couple of big hitters who make 150 grand plus a year just writing gags (the bastards). And if you can draw you can make even more.
Quote: Afinkawan @ January 5 2009, 4:24 PM GMTGive up?
I'm pretty convinced by now that there is no such thing as a funny greetings card.
Not true. I find all the ones with "Lee Henman: Copywriter" printed on the back hilarious. The rest are crap though, obviously. 
I am also having a go, can I show you mine Lee?
Quote: sootyj @ January 5 2009, 5:12 PM GMTI am also having a go, can I show you mine Lee?
That struck me in humour. "Can I show you mine"
Quote: sootyj @ January 5 2009, 5:12 PM GMTI am also having a go, can I show you mine Lee?
Yes, you can show me yours Sooty.
But alas not you Dr Mato.
Quote: Lee Henman @ January 5 2009, 5:11 PM GMTBigfella
I kind of make my living writing gags for greeting cards and have done for too many years.
PM me examples of your stuff / who you sent it to and I'll give you my thoughts. I will say though that persistance and volume are paramount to success. Out of every 100 ideas I send in I generally sell about 10, which is considered a high strike rate amongst card copywriters.
Also bear in mind that for the first two years of writing it was just pin money coming through. It wasn't until I'd been writing cards for about 5 years that I could truly say I was earning a real living. It takes time to build up a trust between you and teh companies involved.
Once your feet are under the table though it can be good. I know a couple of big hitters who make 150 grand plus a year just writing gags (the bastards). And if you can draw you can make even more.
Not true. I find all the ones with "Lee Henman: Copywriter" printed on the back hilarious. The rest are crap though, obviously.
150k?! Wowzer, that's serious cash!!
If you want to reveal how much money YOU make, Lee, then that's fine. We're all comfortable here.
Quote: Seefacts @ January 5 2009, 5:27 PM GMT150k?! Wowzer, that's serious cash!!
If you want to reveal how much money YOU make, Lee, then that's fine. We're all comfortable here.
I don't want to make you cry, Mr S. But if you did I'd dab your tears with a fifty.
Nah seriously I used to make a lot of money but now I make enough to pay the mortgage and the bills and hopefully have some left over. Anything over that's a bonus. I'm trying to redress that though as part of my New Year New Me strategy. So maybe a few more pennies will be forthcoming this year. Who knows?
Quote: Lee Henman @ January 5 2009, 5:11 PM GMTNot true. I find all the ones with "Lee Henman: Copywriter" printed on the back hilarious. The rest are crap though, obviously.
...Do they really have your name on the back?
Or are you doing one of them joke things.
How can you get into this kind of thing?
Research, look at other cards and maybe buy a book. There is one by Molly Wigand 'How to write and sell greetings cards'.
Quote: Nigel Kelly @ January 5 2009, 5:43 PM GMTResearch, look at other cards and maybe buy a book. There is one by Molly Wigand 'How to write and sell greetings cards'.
Do you do the outside aswell - or just the words?
I've got a good one...
"Condolences".
Thankyou.