Archive for January, 2009
Many freelance artists, writers, and photographers who submit their work to Greeting Card Companies feel that they should mimic the styles they see available in stores. This is not the way to go! Greeting Card Companies are looking for fresh, original ideas. The best way to discover your own style by working on what you like and what interests you. Find your own “niche” and then work on perfecting it. If you’re not sure where to start you might try putting a variety of cards together and see what you liked doing best.
Obviously if you are an artist, writer, or photographer, you have a talent. Use your creativity and your imagination to your advantage. If you find out what you are passionate about, it will come through in your work. Use your unique style to standout from others.
If you’re looking for more tips on greeting card submissions sign-up for our newsletter and enjoy our free report - “5 Keys to Making Money in Greeting Cards.”
Posted in Greeting Card Industry | No Comments »
With a 7.5 billion dollar industry, Greeting Card companies are looking for freelance writers, artists, and photographers. If you are a writer, artist, or photographer, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the different kinds of cards these Greeting Card companies are looking for.
There are typically four main Greeting Card categories:
TRADITIONAL: This type of cards uses rhymed, metered poetry and the number of lines is generally divisible by four.
CONTEMPORARY PROSE: This type of card is conversational in tone—these cards sound as if someone is talking. This style is non-rhyming and can be expressed in a phrase, single sentence or as long as 40 lines.
STUDIO OR HUMOROUS: These cards are reflective of current trends, foibles, and shared experiences. They have a snappy, cutting-edge style or a cute, pun- like voice. This is by far the most popular type of greeting card today.
ALTERNATIVE: The alternate card combines contemporary prose and humor. These cards often focus on contemporary themes such as coping, single parenting, surviving chemo, job loss, terminal illness, death of a pet, et c. These cards reflect the times and events around us.
You don’t have to be a professional to submit your ideas to Greeting Card companies. The National Artists Counsel can help you get started. We offer an amazing package, Greeting Card Companies That Pay You For Your Work. For more information, click on the link.
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Success Tips For Artists, Writers and Photographers Working at Home
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
Working from home is a great choice for artists, writers and photographers. However, it can bring a whole new set of challenges. Here are a few tips to help you stay productive and enjoy working from home!
1. Make a schedule
Even though your work environment has changed and you are in the comfort of your own home, it’s still work! Make a work schedule for yourself and stick to it. This will help you avoid getting distracted and keep you focused on the job.
By creating a work space, this will help you make a distinction between work and home. When you walk into your work space, you are telling yourself, “I am at work now.” Keep your office stocked with all your necessary work items and keep the area clean and tidy.
It’s important to recharge throughout the day. Taking a break will help you to stay fresh, alert, and it will show in the quality of your work. Don’t try to be superhuman.
To read about the joys of working at home, click on the link.
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In order to be a successful freelancer, good communication is a must! Many lose business because of poor communication skills. The National Artists Counsel doesn’t want that to happen to you! Here are a few tips to help you improve your communication skills:
1. Be available to communicate
Your customers need to feel that they are important to you. This requires constant communication. Offer your customers several different types of communication methods. Provide them with a phone number, email address, or even an Instant Messenger. This will make them feel that you are available for them! Also, respond to questions, concerns, comments in a timely fashion. If you hesitate to respond, they may feel neglected.
2. Be honest
The customer deserves to know what is happening. They paid for a service and expect to be kept in the loop even though you may feel that it isn’t necessary. Don’t make promises that you can’t deliver. It will break the trust and leave you with an unhappy customer who will never want you to work for them again.
3. Communicate clearly
Assumptions are a big mistake that freelancers make. Be sure to lay out everything for your customer is a clear, concise manner. It may feel silly or redundant, but it is better to make sure then to make a mistake. Use simple, basic terms and keep a record of your communication.
By following these simple tips, you will surely improve as a communicator in the world of freelancing. For more tips on freelancing, click on the link - http://www.nationalartistscounsel.com/tips-articles
Posted in Freelance Artists, Freelance Photographers, Freelance Writers | No Comments »
Many are concerned about losing their jobs since major layoffs have ensued, but there is good news! Freelancing during the bad economy is the ticket to success. When companies are experiencing a turn for the worse, they look for ways to cut overhead costs such as benefits and insurance, but this does not usually affect freelance contractors. Businesses still need skilled workers to replace who they have cut and freelancers meet the qualifications without the extra costs. Freelancing can actually help the economy.
Here are a few tips to keep your freelancing business alive:
1. There may be things that you are outsourcing for your business. If business has slowed down, ask yourself if there are things that you can do for yourself rather than charging for it. This will save a lot of money.
2. Maybe you work for a company and freelance on the side, can you turn your freelance into a full-time career? Or maybe look for a simple part-time job somewhere else so you can spend more time building up your freelance career.
3. Ask yourself if you can add more skills, products, or services to your repertoire. If you broaden out what you offer, you can attract more customers.
At the National Artists Counsel, we want to help freelancers to maintain a healthy career during tough times. The Greeting Card business is currently looking for freelancers. Let us help you find the work you need! For more information, click on the link.
Posted in Freelance Artists, Freelance Photographers, Freelance Writers, Greeting Card Industry | 1 Comment »
Meet our Director – Sean Thomas
Saturday, January 3rd, 2009
Sean Thomas here - I’m the Director of National Artists Counsel. In this blog I wanted to share a little bit about my background. For many years I owned an internationally known Greeting Card company. I learned the ins and outs of the greeting card business by selling designs to other companies as well as working with artists, writers, and photographers who contacted me to sell their work. Click here to learn more about my story.
Through my experience I recognized that Greeting Card companies offer freelancers a perfect work opportunity! There is a high demand for their work while offering a flexible schedule and work environment. However, I soon came to realize that there was nothing available for freelance artists, writers, and photographers to help them learn how to get into this market and get paid for their work.
At NAC, we have done the leg work for freelance writers, artists, and photographers by researching avail able marketing opportunities. These companies have told us exactly what they want, where to send it and how they will pay and we want to tell you! Our new package, Greeting Cards Companies That Pay You For Your Work, is available for immediate download.
Posted in Freelance Artists, Freelance Photographers, Freelance Writers, Greeting Card Industry | No Comments »
