Freelance medical writing jobs can be a great option for those who want to work from home or are looking to bolster their income with some additional cash. Many potential freelancers are interested in this line of work but don’t know where to begin.
Freelance medical writing jobs don’t simply fall into your lap any more than traditional full-time jobs. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure you have the best chance possible at getting hired. What’s great is there are many ways to get freelance medical writing jobs!
There are many ways to get freelance medical writing jobs. In this article, we highlight some of the most effective ways to get freelancing medical writing jobs.
If you are new to medical writing, you may also find this article about medical writing helpful.
1. Using LinkedIn
One of the best is to join LinkedIn and connect with professionals in the medical field, but you may not know how to start. If you’re a newbie, you might not know what you need to do on LinkedIn or why it’s important.
If you are a freelance medical writer and haven’t started using LinkedIn to find work, it’s time. It is hands-down the best platform to find assignments on and build relationships with potential clients.
Whether you are a newbie freelance medical writer looking for your first job, or a seasoned professional in search of extra gigs on the side, LinkedIn is an indispensable tool. Even the most experienced medical writing professionals will tell you they land jobs using LinkedIn.
So, what are you waiting for? Register, join relevant groups and start reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn. The best part is, it is free!
2. Contact a recruiter or staffing agency that specialises in freelance medical writing jobs
When starting out in freelance medical writing, it may be helpful to work for multiple companies. However, if you are new to the field and don’t have a lot of experience, you may find it difficult to find these jobs yourself. This is where the help of an employment agency could come in handy.
Why use a recruitment agency for your freelance medical writing jobs? Recruitment agencies know all about employment for medical writers. This can be particularly useful if you are just starting out in the industry and don’t understand how to get freelance medical writing jobs.
Recruitment agencies deal with this kind of thing all the time, so you can save yourself a lot of time and avoid making mistakes. Plus it’s easier to land that special freelance medical writing job when you have help from an expert. Some agencies will also do your CV search for potential employers. Now that’s what I call fast service! These recruiters are so good at their job. So, let them help you find a freelance medical writing job.
3. Reach out directly to medcomms companies
Did you know that there are hundreds of companies worldwide that need help with their medical writing, but don’t have time to post listings about upcoming projects?
Outreach helps to just skip all the marketing, social media, and business development and go straight to the decision-makers. Many companies need help to deliver projects to their clients. Sometimes they may think they only support for a few weeks, so won’t bother advertising for a freelancer.
When you reach out to them, you may be seen as an angel!
4. Join a forum or discussion group
Forums and discussion groups are one of the best ways to boost your network. They offer a great chance to meet new people, learn about the industry, and build relationships — all while getting some good advice and feedback on your work. Considering they serve as an international platform for experts in a number of fields, they can also provide you with freelance medical writing jobs that you never knew existed.
Find an excellent forum for people interested in freelance medical writing jobs. The entire community shares experiences, offers tips and tricks, and encourages each other to improve their knowledge. You’ll have access to many talented professionals in this space and I encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Feel free to join our Facebook and LinkedIn groups.
5. Attend networking events
There are many benefits to networking events for freelance medical writing jobs. Whether you are just starting out as a freelance medical writer or already in the field, attending an event is one of the best ways to get exposure and find work. It shows activity on your part, lets people get to know who you are, and allows you to engage with people who also love freelance medical writing jobs like yourself.
Networking events are a fantastic way to connect personally with potential employers. Some freelance medical writing jobs are better than others, everyone knows that — but one way you can guarantee success is by establishing a relationship with the right people. Even if you’re not seeking writing jobs right now, networking will always give you more career options down the road.
6. Network online with other medical writers
Perhaps one of the most important parts of your job search is networking. No amount of online job hunting or searching will get you noticed. You need to connect with people and make them aware of who you are and what you’re looking for.
Networking online is one of the best ways to locate freelance medical writing jobs especially when you’re just starting out and don’t have much experience. Sure, there are many opportunities out there, but you are limited by what you know.
Online networking is an affordable way to connect with as many medical writers as possible to improve your industry knowledge and even get tips and referrals about opportunities you didn’t know about.
7. Create a strong profile on job boards
Creating a strong profile on job boards is indispensable for serious freelance medical writers. The goal is to get employers “knocking” on your virtual door whenever they need medical writers. This is a set-and-forget thing, and it can be greatly rewarding.
Job boards are the primary ways some companies find and hire freelance medical writers. Therefore, find some good ones and build a strong profile that will give you an edge over the competition.
8. Advertise on job boards
Advertising on job boards is one of the fastest and easiest ways to land freelance medical writing jobs. With millions of monthly visitors, it’s an efficient way to get a steady stream of clients in your pipeline. They pool job seekers and employers alike who, more often than not, can’t be bothered to post their jobs on their own sites.
The good news is that advertising on these job boards is quite often cheap. For example, some will promote your profile for a whole month for less than $10! That’s a lot of bang for your buck.
9. Get some experience before you start freelancing
If you want to start a freelance medical writing career but don’t have any experience, it can be hard to get your first job.
Sometimes, the best move is to get a permanent entry job, work for a year or two and then re-analyse your situation before getting into freelance medical writing.
One other way to get experience is to volunteer with health-related charities. They need, and often hire, freelancers for their medical writing needs. Volunteering with them, even on a part-time basis, will give you the experience that you need to kickstart your freelance medical writing career. Some of the charities you volunteer for may end up becoming paying clients. They may also recommend you to other organisations in need of your services. It is a win-win-win.
Have great samples ready to send over immediately to anyone who may be interested in hiring you.
10. Join a medical writers association and get on their directory listing
Joining a medical writers association and getting listed on their directory is a great way to get freelance medical writing jobs. Medical writers’ associations are created to spread awareness, provide education, and further the goals of their members.
Some of these associations have a directory listing. Getting on that listing will provide you with more exposure and occasional clients. The great thing about clients who find via the directory listing is they tend to be ready to pay top dollar for your services.
Conclusion
Medical writing is a growing field, with excellent job satisfaction. Most freelance writers have greatly appreciated the freedom, flexibility and choice to pursue a writing career that is accomplished mostly from home while having abundant time off throughout the year available for travel, family gatherings, and other important life events.
These days, the wider reach of the internet has opened up doors of opportunities in freelance medical writing. It is a vast field that requires professional writers. So, if you can write well and also have some prior writing experience, there are unlimited chances to land freelance medical jobs.
Need more? Check out these articles:
