All About Freelance Health and Medical Writing Jobs
If healthcare and medicine interest you, you'll probably enjoy freelance health and medical writing. Even if you're not versed in technical jargon, you can still find a place for yourself in the industry.
If you do have the technical background, you might be an excellent writer for pharmaceutical companies or an editor for medical journals. Otherwise, expect to find freelance jobs writing for magazines or websites about health, or in the health sections of newspapers.
Health and medical writers without backgrounds need to be excellent researchers. Look online or - better yet - go to a university library to update yourself on what's going on in the medical world the public finds interesting. Has there been a recent vaccination controversy? Is there a new exercise trend on the horizon? Do energy bars really work? The answers to those questions appeal to people interested in health and wellness. If you can find the answers, you'll have a sellable article.
Do I need experience to be a health or medical writer?
Do you need proof that you've written these types of articles for others? Yes, almost always.
Do you also need proof that you got paid for what you wrote as a health or medical writer? Nope, absolutely not.
If you don't have the "almighty portfolio," never fear. Write a few health/wellness articles and send them to your community newsletter, those free city newspapers, hospitals, nursing homes, medical clinics, etc. You won't get paid, but editors will likely publish good articles.
Medical and health writers demand experience because you're working in a specialized area. However, two or three published articles are usually enough to get your first paid job. It'll just keep getting easier from there.
How do I find these jobs?
Once you have a few writing samples, it's time to start sending query letters. A query letter introduces you and your idea to an editor. Here are a few tips to write a compelling query letter:
1. Know your editors. Read their magazines so you get a good feel for what articles editors may be looking for.
2. Always introduce your idea before you introduce yourself. You can impress editors by original ideas, not by resumes. Editors won't glance at those clips you painstakingly collected if the editor doesn't like your idea.
3. Focus on why an editor should publish your article. Yes, you need to tell the editor what you plan to write about -- your main goal is to sell the editor on the notion the magazine's readership will find your article interesting.
You may also want to approach editors of online health and medical sites, such as everydayhealth.com, healthline.com, and wellness.com. Again, make sure the nature of your article matches the content they publish.
Finally, try looking for ads on websites. Online-writing-jobs.com usually has about a dozen ads for health or medical writers, as does Freelancewriting.com and a few other sites. Do a search for "freelance health writing" to see for yourself.
How much money can I make?
It all depends on whom you're working for. Many magazines pay $100 to $300 for short, quality articles (they pay more if the article is longer). Websites usually pay less because they have plenty of writers trying to work for them. Editors may also pay you per word, between $0.20/word and $2.00/word and up, depending on your experience and the publication's reputation.
How should I respond to an ad?
You've come across an ad that appeals to you - congratulations! Read the sample ad below to see if you can figure out the best way to respond:
Holistic Weekly Magazine is currently accepting articles on alternative health trends. $0.50 to $0.90 per word.
This ad doesn't tell you a lot, but it does tell you enough. Before you respond, go get a copy of Holistic Weekly and read it cover to cover. Once you have a solid grasp on what the magazine is all about, you're ready to pitch your article ideas.
This magazine seems to focus on alternative health, so you need to ask yourself whether your idea is relevant. Organic eating, "western medicine" scandals, and types of alternative health care might be ideas to get you started.
Remember: knowing your editor and your readership are important to get published.
Related Tags: freelance writers, freelance, freelance jobs, freelancing, freelance writing, freelance business
Brian Scott is a full-time freelance writer with over a decade of experience. He finds many of his paid freelance medical writing jobs at Online Writing Jobs ( http://www.online-writing-jobs.com ), a free jobboard that lets you search thousands of freelance writing jobs. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Ideas For Finding a Nanny Job
Looking after the welfare of children is a very important job. The role of caregivers in the present - What There is to Know About a Temp Agency
A temp agency is a place were skilled office workers can go to get work. There are a number of diffe - Discovering the Many Ways a Temp Agency Can Assist in a Down Economy
When out of money and unable to find work, often times can look hopeless. However, for many who have - Careers That Require Financial Responsibility
Keeping your finances in order is important for any adult, but if you want to work in certain career - What You Need To Know About Resumes And Cover Letters
If the ways of getting employed is composed of steps, the first task would be to come up with an imp - How To Increase Your Chances Of Getting Hired
In trying to get a job, the person that you are going to impress, aside from your would-be boss, wou - Tips on How to Get Hired in a Flash
Unemployment rate all over the world is undeniably huge. But, the bigger problem that professionals - Tips and Techniques on Finding a Job Quickly
There are three ways on how you can get employed at the soonest possible time- that would be, knowin - Securing Your Lifetime Starts Now
If by the time you're 30 and you still don't know what you want to do with your life, it should alre - Occupational Therapy Jobs For a Career in Nursing
Occupational therapy jobs are undertaken by individuals who are willing to engage their skills in he
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Hollow Eyes Are Not Dark Circles Under The Eyes
Many people of all ages complain of dark circles under their eyes. The phrase "dark circles under th - Career As A Hairstylist
Hairdressing is an art that involves arranging hair for aesthetic purposes, participation in formal - Life After West Point Military School
West Point exists to educate and train Cadets who are commissioned as Officers in the US Army upon G - Work Experience In Fashion - How To Get A Great Opportunity In Fashion Work
Work experience in fashion can be one of the most challenging positions to find. It's a simple equa - Tips for Job Hunting in Today's Market
In order to be competitive in today's job market, you must stand apart from the competition. Just h - Who are the EMTs
You'll find them at Denny's. At least I always do. Denny's, Coco's, Perkin's; any all-night restaura - Hiring A New Assistant?
More and more small businesses and even larger companies are turning to virtual office assista - You Too Can Start an Independent Record Label
It's no big secret, the trick of how to start a record label definitely involves some cash and most - Increased Salary with a Medical Degree: Consider the Options
Physicians are probably one of the highest paid professionals in the world. They make a lot of money - 5 Steps to Becoming a Virtual Assistant
Here are 5 steps that I went through in becoming a virtual assistant. These aren’t official by