March 29, 2005
A JustMarkets Publication

Welcome, writers!

I'm very happy to have Nadia Ali as this week's featured writer: she's a travel writer as well as an expert in the greeting card and slogan market. In fact, you've probably read other of her helpful how-to articles around the web--she's always in demand.

As for this issue of JustMarkets, from Calgary to the Caribbean and from inflights to websites, readers are out there waiting for you.

Good writing everyone!

Stephanie Olsen
Publisher/Just Markets
http://www.justmarkets.com

P.S. TELL A FRIEND! What a nice gift a year's subscription to
Just Markets makes! Your writer friend could benefit from the fastest markets online, saving countless hours of searching and scrounging all over the internet for paying freelance markets for writers.

GUEST ARTICLE

Going for the Knockout Punch

by Nadia Ali

There's nothing like a knockout punch: the cameras showing the thrill and excitement as a tremendous punch throws the opponent to the mat, the winner's arms raised in the air, a tumultuous crowd erupting in cheers. That's the feeling I get every time one of my punch lines get accepted; and my fellow opponents--other greeting card or slogan writers--never even see it coming!

What is a Punch Line?

Grasping the idea of a "punch-line" is not just a case of re-telling jokes or putting something funny in a line that relates to given topics requested by the greeting card companies. It is a line that leaves the editor smiling or chuckling. It is something that will leave an impression and convince him to purchase your card.

An example of a punch line is, "Talk is cheap until you hire a lawyer."

It will not work if you have no idea of whom you are writing it for. So think of your audience and be creative.

The Delivery

The manner in which you phrase your words can make the difference between acceptance or rejection. Have a look at the example below that shows the difference it can make.

OUTSIDE :     Happy Birthday you're getting...

INSIDE :     Older!

While this relates to the truth, it lacks a certain blow and there isn't enough expectation to make it punch. The same approach can be re-written to read:

 

OUTSIDE :     Guess what you are getting for your birthday?

INSIDE :     Older!

This greeting has a definite punch and a sense of expectation as the reader opens the card to see what he's getting for his birthday.

The Shorter the Better

"The shorter the better" is still one of the requirements that reigns supreme in submitting punch lines to greeting card and slogan markets. Particularly when writing for slogan markets where the space for your knockout punch is limited to a key-chain, apron, mug, doormat or a T-shirt.

An example of an apron slogan is, "Lean, Mean Cuisine Machine." It is straight to the point and even in four words manages to hit with a knockout punch.

An example of a post-it note is: "People I hung up on when you were out." Again there is no rhyme, yet it is very effective.

Broad Appeal

Unless otherwise stated, most greeting card and slogan companies want sentiments that relate to the broader audience. By this they mean it must refer to any gender, any age and an idea that does not involve any risqué or rude message. The above examples all fit into this category as they can both be for men or women of any age group, religion, ethic background and so on.

Specific Appeal

When asked to produce specific sentiments for defined categories, always ensure your sentiment relates to just that. For example, if you were asked to produce a humorous punch line for a friend's anniversary you must relate to the friend and anniversary.

OUTSIDE :     Happy Anniversary to a couple who really shows us how it's done...

INSIDE :     ...maybe you'd better start pulling the shades...

This humor relates to friends on a personal level and shows a specific type of punch -- one that you would send to your parents for their anniversary. So it has successfully met the criteria set down by the writers guidelines.

Humor

To create a knockout punch line, the key point is humor. This is where the punch either breaks or makes. There are several ways to obtain the humor aspect. One can be by putting an element of surprise in your humor:

OUTSIDE :     It would be great if we could lose a few pounds in the right places?

INSIDE :     ...like Hawaii, Barbados, Jamaica

Or try an intentional misinterpretation:

OUTSIDE :     Sometimes I dream about sleeping under the stars...

INSIDE :     ...Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise...

Or a universal truth:

OUTSIDE :     Soon you'll be feeling better

INSIDE :       And I will be picking on you again.

Always try to make a play on words, put a unique spin on a line and most importantly, bear two questions in mind: Who would buy this? Who would think this is funny?

Lastly, spend some time in greeting card stores researching what makes a card humorous and how the punch line is delivered. It's amazing to see all the various ways that writers deliver a punch. Some include double meanings, twisted meanings, intentional misinterpretation, an unlikely turn of events, play on words or the use of an old cliché. Remember that the majority of greeting card companies do not want you to put the readers down or insult them in any way. Your humor must reflect something positive and have general appeal to a broad audience.

So get out there and hit them with a knockout punch-punch line! The greeting card and slogan markets are looking for writers who know how to write short, sweet and to the point. These three factors make up the components to a great punch-line, weave in some humor and you are on your way to producing a humorous greeting card verse or a slogan for badges, T-shirts or key-chains.

And for any of you who were wondering -- all of the above examples have already been purchased by various greeting card and slogan companies.

 

AUTHOR BIO
Nadia Ali (Nadia [ at ] freelance-worker.com) began her writing career as an online greeting card writer and has had countless published since. She has also had success in the paper greeting card and slogan markets.

Markets

Avenue: The magazine of Calgary life

Avenue is the city magazine of Calgary, published 10 times a year, and profiles all aspects of city life including: people, issues, architecture, design, food, fashion and homes--with a special emphasis on homes.

Query with samples; no unsolicited; no sim-subs.

Pays approx 20-35 cents/word CDN

 

SASE Editor
Janice Paskey
avenue Magazine

RedPoint Media Group Inc.
1902K 11 St. S.E.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
T2G 3G2

Guidelines: http://www.avenuemagazine.ca/march2005/
writers_guidelines.html

Continental Magazine

Monthly inflight for Continental Airlines; stories assigned quarterly with four-week response time.

Best bet for freelance writers new to Continental: business stories and shorter items. Various departments and corresponding editors are set out on the guidelines page.

Articles vary in length from 300-1,800 words and fees vary, based on difficulty of assignment and experience of the writer with the publication. Pays within 45 days from receipt of invoice.

Guidelines: http://www.pohlypartners.com/advertising/cif
/about_continental_magazine/writer_guidelines.html

Caribbean Beat

The bi-monthly inflight magazine of BWIA West Indies Airways is also known as a pan-Caribbean magazine. Feature articles run to 3,000 words, on any subject of general Caribbean interest, or linked with any of BWIA West Indies Airways' Caribbean or international destinations.

Note: particularly interested in short humour pieces for Last Word section (up to 700 words).

Pays: TT$1 per word (about 15 cents/word US)

Offers 25%kill

Requires a three month lead.

Rights purchased:

1. exclusive world-wide first periodical rights in all languages;

2. exclusive world-wide reprint rights in all forms for any whole or part edition of the Magazine;

3. exclusive rights to licence the Work for use by others in publications other than the Magazine, for a period of one year following the date of first publication of the Work;

4. world-wide reprint rights for advertising and publicity purposes in all media by or for the Magazine or any foreign edition of the Magazine, for a period of one year following the date of first publication of the Work;

5. the right to publish the Work on the Magazine's website.

Guidelines: http://www.meppublishers.com/resources/
contributors/beat_writers.php

Nice comments from JustMarketsDaily subscribers On March 18, 2005, Atlanta writer Gary Baldridge wrote in: Your work is a lifesaver.  I started freelance Jan. 1, but was sputtering until I came across your service.  Within a month I had work (including a year-long contract) worth almost $5,000 . You really make a difference. I really appreciate hearing that, Gary - and congratulations by the way! My market base is always expanding as I research and make more contacts in the publishing world, so I'm able to get JM Daily subscribers more and more in way of paying, telecommute markets (and some really good relocation-paid deals).     :-) Like last week, just SOME of the jobs we had in ONE DAY: ATLANTA Freelance Writing project - Network Security Conference Summary - Telecommute Mid-May; pays $500-$700 Freelance Sports Writer Telecommute Bi-weekly column; $8/hr Creative Freelance Real Estate Writer Telecommute, Boston Consumer Tech Writer Telecommute in Boston area only Part time Editor/Desktop publisher Telecommute Denver area only Pays $15+/hr Journalist   for online travel publication Telecommute I M M E D I A T E Freelance Journalist (4 days work) I M M E D I A T E Travel Writer - assignment Telecommute 2,000 word feature Blog & Content Manager Full-time, Telecommute Pays $20,000 Travel writers Telecommute destination pieces Pays $150-$250 ea Freelance Writers Telecommute statewide GLBT newspaper Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers Telecommute Pays $200/story Freelance Writers Telecommute Business article rewrites Pays $50/ea Proofreaders/Editors Telecommute Pays $200-$1200/mo Technical Editor Telecommute Freelance Car Writer Telecommute consumer-based mag Copywriter FT Pennsylvania ---relocation covered--- Pays $45-60K Canadian Freelance Writers Pays $50-$200/project S.C./ N.C. Freelance Writers Telecommute magazine articles Pays $50-$150 ea Editor Telecommute Historical Encyclopedia re war on drugs Freelance Business Writers Northern California Telecommute Pays $125-$350/story Children's Books Editor $45,000.00 - $55,000.00/Year FT, on-site Boston ---relocation covered--- Web Copywriter Telecommute B2B exp Subscribe to JustMarketsDaily save time - make money

LookingForClues - web site

Buys articles that provide "bitesize nuggets of insight and entertainment". Generally, the article should be between 5 and 10 paragraphs in length.

Pays $20-$30/article, all rights.

Guidelines: http://www.bkserv.com/WriteForLFC.htm

 

Cooking Smart

Bi-monthly n'tl pub with website; says best bet is to start with online articles (including reprints) for which it pays $25 to $50, for 3 mo FSR plus archival.

Query with clips.

Guidelines: http://coincidepublishing.com/
cookingsmart/guidelines.htm

.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

Spirit Magazine

Monthly inflight. Mailed queries should include short, concise ideas, along with clips and a SASE. E-mails and phone calls are strongly discouraged. Queries are accepted ONLY by mail, addressed to:

Editors
Southwest Airlines Spirit

4333 Amon Carter Blvd. MD 5374
Fort Worth, Texas 76155

The site http://www.spiritmag.com has editorial content, calendar and demographics.

By the way, if you're in the Fort Worth/Dallas area, Spirit is looking for a senior editor. See:

http://www.spiritmag.com/Default.aspx?tabid=510

.

Midwest Today

Bi-monthly print covers a wide variety of subjects, including news, sports, politics, entertainment, the arts, religion, poetry, fitness, outdoors, travel, interviews, people profiles, the environment, nostalgia, economics, agriculture, humor, consumer issues and more. Now looking for short fiction pieces or short true-life stories (2,000 words max.) -- particularly those that are uplifting or inspirational, with a positive outcome and a story line set in the Heartland.

Brief query with clips (reprints okay)--no sim-sub. SASE submissions P.O. Box 685, Panora, Iowa 50216 .

Length varies widely -- from a few hundred words to 10,000. Requires a three-month moratorium on all accepted pieces.

Note: emailed from the publisher, Larry Jordan (midtod [ at ] netins.net) in response to my query:

"We don't have an established rate. It depends on whether we are buying a reprint or a piece we commission with first-run rights. It can vary from as little as $10 per piece to $250-$300, also depending on length. (Occasionally more)."

Larry Jordan, Publisher
Midwest Today

Guidelines: http://www.midtod.com/aboutus.phtml#TOP