| If healthcare and medicine interest you, you'll | | | | 2. Always introduce your idea before you |
| probably enjoy freelance health and medical | | | | introduce yourself. You can impress editors by |
| writing. Even if you're not versed in technical | | | | original ideas, not by resumes. Editors won't glance |
| jargon, you can still find a place for yourself in the | | | | at those clips you painstakingly collected if the |
| industry. | | | | editor doesn't like your idea. |
| If you do have the technical background, you | | | | 3. Focus on why an editor should publish your |
| might be an excellent writer for pharmaceutical | | | | article. Yes, you need to tell the editor what you |
| companies or an editor for medical journals. | | | | plan to write about -- your main goal is to sell the |
| Otherwise, expect to find freelance jobs writing | | | | editor on the notion the magazine's readership will |
| for magazines or websites about health, or in the | | | | find your article interesting. |
| health sections of newspapers. | | | | You may also want to approach editors of online |
| Health and medical writers without backgrounds | | | | health and medical sites, such as |
| need to be excellent researchers. Look online or - | | | | everydayhealth.com, healthline.com, and Again, |
| better yet - go to a university library to update | | | | make sure the nature of your article matches the |
| yourself on what's going on in the medical world | | | | content they publish. |
| the public finds interesting. Has there been a | | | | Finally, try looking for ads on websites. usually has |
| recent vaccination controversy? Is there a new | | | | about a dozen ads for health or medical writers, |
| exercise trend on the horizon? Do energy bars | | | | as does and a few other sites. Do a search for |
| really work? The answers to those questions | | | | "freelance health writing" to see for yourself. |
| appeal to people interested in health and wellness. | | | | How much money can I make? |
| If you can find the answers, you'll have a sellable | | | | It all depends on whom you're working for. Many |
| article. | | | | magazines pay $100 to $300 for short, quality |
| Do I need experience to be a health or medical | | | | articles (they pay more if the article is longer). |
| writer? | | | | Websites usually pay less because they have |
| Do you need proof that you've written these | | | | plenty of writers trying to work for them. Editors |
| types of articles for others? Yes, almost always. | | | | may also pay you per word, between $0.20/word |
| Do you also need proof that you got paid for | | | | and $2.00/word and up, depending on your |
| what you wrote as a health or medical writer? | | | | experience and the publication's reputation. |
| Nope, absolutely not. | | | | How should I respond to an ad? |
| If you don't have the "almighty portfolio," never | | | | You've come across an ad that appeals to you - |
| fear. Write a few health/wellness articles and send | | | | congratulations! Read the sample ad below to see |
| them to your community newsletter, those free | | | | if you can figure out the best way to respond: |
| city newspapers, hospitals, nursing homes, medical | | | | Holistic Weekly Magazine is currently accepting |
| clinics, etc. You won't get paid, but editors will | | | | articles on alternative health trends. $0.50 to $0.90 |
| likely publish good articles. | | | | per word. |
| Medical and health writers demand experience | | | | This ad doesn't tell you a lot, but it does tell you |
| because you're working in a specialized area. | | | | enough. Before you respond, go get a copy of |
| However, two or three published articles are | | | | Holistic Weekly and read it cover to cover. Once |
| usually enough to get your first paid job. It'll just | | | | you have a solid grasp on what the magazine is all |
| keep getting easier from there. | | | | about, you're ready to pitch your article ideas. |
| How do I find these jobs? | | | | This magazine seems to focus on alternative |
| Once you have a few writing samples, it's time to | | | | health, so you need to ask yourself whether your |
| start sending query letters. A query letter | | | | idea is relevant. Organic eating, "western medicine" |
| introduces you and your idea to an editor. Here | | | | scandals, and types of alternative health care |
| are a few tips to write a compelling query letter: | | | | might be ideas to get you started. |
| 1. Know your editors. Read their magazines so | | | | Remember: knowing your editor and your |
| you get a good feel for what articles editors may | | | | readership are important to get published. |
| be looking for. | | | | |