Becoming a Freelance Medical Writer: A Step-By-Step Instruction
Writing in the medical field is an excellent opportunity for anyone with a strong background in medicine or other related health care areas and is skilled in writing content in a variety of formats including reports, articles, blogs, fact sheets and brochures. For freelance writers that fit this bill here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1) Create a Professional Profile
No matter what kind of specialty writing you will be doing, the first step to find success as a freelancer is to create an online profile describing your services, skills, and qualifications. Don’t opt for large blocks of text. Your profile should be eye-catching, simple to read and get straight to the point. Too much information might turn many potential clients away from your page.
Step 2) Research Opportunities
There are a large number of freelance medical writing opportunities available to the right person. It’s a good idea to research several postings from companies around the globe. Some companies may be looking for a skilled brochure writer while others may need regular posts on health and preventative care tips. Find out what each company specializes in and make a list of the ones that seem to require your precise skills.
Step 3) Upload Content to a Portfolio
As soon as you’ve researched the best job opportunities for your specific skillset, it’s time to upload content to a portfolio that demonstrates your abilities to fulfill employers’ gaps. Focus on current and relevant content. If you don’t have prior experience in the medical field but have plenty of experience creating reports for another kind of science, then select your quality stuff that showcases your ability to transfer industries.
Step 4) Submit Targeted Bids to Clients
One of the biggest mistakes that new freelancers make is submit the same bid to each potential client. While it may be a good idea to have some sort of template handy, you shouldn’t ever submit a bid that doesn’t speak directly to the client’s needs as mentioned in the job posting. Cater each bid so that it addresses a client’s problems with a solution that you can provide.
Step 5) Build a Positive Professional Image
The final step in becoming a successful freelance medical writer is building a positive brand or image. This is achieved by communicating with your clients frequently, completing your projects on time, and submitting quality work. These three elements lead to positive reviews and ratings which should open the door to even more freelancing opportunities.
