Struggling Greeting Card Freelancer. Salary: $0 per card

Huh, your greeting card idea about a bloated llama suffering from indigestion and looking for love didn't sell so well. And it turns out your poem written in Old English didn't have much of a market. Back to the drawing board.

First Commercial Gig. Salary: $15 or less

A small publishing house bought your next greeting card idea: a message buried in the answers to a crossword. Ka-ching. But it will be another two months until the $15 check turns up in the mail.

Creator of Greeting Card Line. Salary: $100-$150

A local, boutique greeting card publisher specializing in eco-friendly products has agreed to publish your very own line of greeting cards cut in the shapes of trees. Best part of it all: You get $100 per card design. Rent this month is totally taken care of.

Owner of Greeting E-Card Store. Salary: $2,500

After your niece loved the digital version of your signature card, you've decided to move into the digital market. You've got a website, a monthly newsletter, more than 3,000 subscribers, more than 400 cards purchased in the first month, and the best part? You don't even need to change out of your pajamas.

Hallmark Writer. Salary $10,000+

Hallmark has taken you on, now that you've proven yourself in the small publishing companies and in your own business. Which means a modest salary for you, so long as you continue to produce. The best part, though? As congratulations, your mom sent you your own custom "Congratulations" card.