Greeting cards are an important part of American culture. They are a way to reach out to our loved ones and express how we feel about them. But as American culture changes, so do the trends in the Greeting Card Industry. Here at the National Artists Counsel, we are researching what the market is looking for and where the trends are going.

Here a few of the top greeting card trends:

Art licensing has been a growing trend in the greeting card industry. What is art licensing? Art licensing is a legal agreement that allows an artist to grant partial use of his copyright to someone for a specific purpose, period of time and area. The artist then receives a flat fee or royalties for the use of their product.

There are many benefits to art licensing. This an easy way for an artist to receive extra income without spending a lot of time and money trying to produce their own product. It is also a great way to see your art used in a variety of ways.

If you are interested in learning more about art licensing, visit the Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association for more information. To find out how specific greeting card companies pay consider downloading your own copy of GREETING CARD COMPANIES THAT PAY YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

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.”

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.

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

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.