6 Practical Steps to Launch Your Health Writing Career

You’ve already taken the first steps to becoming a medical writer—fabulous! Now, you’re ready to take practical steps to launch your health writing career.

This guide will walk you through the essential actions to set yourself up for success as a medical writer. These are the steps I followed when transitioning from copywriting into medical writing, but they’re the same whether you’re transitioning from another field or starting fresh.

1. Obtain a Relevant Degree

While there’s no set educational path to becoming a medical writer, having a degree in a related field can give you a solid foundation and an edge in the job market.

Most employers prefer candidates with a university education, particularly for technical and regulatory writing roles. A degree shows you have a basic level of expertise and can understand complex information—both crucial in this field.

If you plan to go the freelance route, the degree becomes less critical. Clients are often more interested in your portfolio and ability to deliver quality work. The fact that I hold a Human Physiology degree is written on my About Page, but none of my clients have ever quizzed me on it.

That said, I’m glad I hold one!

Being university-educated can still make you more competitive, particularly when bidding for higher-paying projects. Plus, you’re less likely to suffer from imposter syndrome and feel more confident in delivering high-quality medical content.

2. Build a Strong Portfolio

Your portfolio is your golden ticket into the world of health and medical writing.

It’s the first thing potential employers and clients will look at to gauge your writing style, expertise, and ability to handle complex topics. So, you must create a portfolio of your work—even if you don’t have any paid work to showcase.

Here are some ideas to get your portfolio started:  

• Write Sample Articles: If you’re new to the field, create your own work samples. Write articles, blog posts, or case studies on topics you’re passionate about. You can even create patient education materials or posters for imaginary clients.

• Volunteer: Another option is to offer your writing services to nonprofits, health organisations, or online health communities for free. Not only will this give you real-world experience, but you’ll also get published work to showcase in your portfolio.

• Guest Blogging: Reach out to health and wellness blogs or websites and offer to write guest posts, like this one I wrote for Health Writer Hub. This can help you gain exposure and credibility. If you get a website, you can also link to it from guest posts to help boost website traffic.

Pro Tip: Your portfolio should showcase a range of writing styles and formats. Include everything from patient education materials to more technical documents to demonstrate your versatility.

3. Join a Medical Writing Association

Becoming a member of associations like the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) or the European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) can boost your career.

These associations offer the opportunity to:

• Network: Connect with industry professionals, potential clients, and mentors, both online and via in-person events and conferences.

• Learn: AMWA and EMWA give members access to invaluable workshops, webinars, and conferences. These provide endless learning opportunities to improve your health writing skills and understand the industry.

• Certification: Some associations offer members access to certification programs. These can boost your credibility and make you stand out in a competitive field.

Pro Tip: If you’re just starting out, attending association events and conferences can be a great way to learn more about the industry and make valuable connections.

4. Network, Network, Network

As a health writer, who you know can be just as important as what you know.

Building a solid network can open doors to job opportunities, collaborations, and mentorships. If you’re going down the freelancing route, a great network can also mean a steady flow of clients, more stable income, and less stress.

Industry conferences are a goldmine for networking. Don’t just attend—engage. Participate in discussions, ask questions, and exchange contact details.

LinkedIn groups, forums, and online communities focused on medical writing can help you connect with peers and potential clients. LinkedIn is also a great platform to reach out to established medical writers and ask a few questions—most are happy to share their experiences and offer advice.

Pro Tip: Always follow up with the people you meet after an event. A simple LinkedIn connection or email thanking them for their time can go a long way and make you more memorable.

5. Market Yourself

Marketing yourself as a medical writer is crucial, whether you plan to freelance or seek employment. But how you approach it will depend on your career path.

If going down the freelance route, you’ll want to start by building a website that showcases your portfolio, health writing services, and testimonials. Ensure your site is SEO-optimised to increase your visibility on search engines—this will help the work come to you (work smart, not hard!).

If you’re aiming for an employed position, your CV is your most important marketing tool. Tailor your CV to highlight relevant experience, education, and skills that align with the job you’re applying for.

Social media platforms (particularly LinkedIn) are also valuable for freelancers and employees. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is updated with a professional headshot, a compelling summary, and detailed descriptions of your past roles.

6. Start Gaining Practical Experience

Once you have your education, portfolio, and network in place, it’s time to start gaining hands-on experience.

Getting a paid job as a health and medical writer is the best way to get experience. You can learn from a team of writers and get trained in writing specific content types, the ethics of health communication, and regulatory requirements.

But there’s a catch: most employers already want candidates to have experience.

This can feel disheartening, but there are several ways to gain practical experience without securing a full-time medical writing role:

• Try Freelancing: Even if your long-term goal is employment, taking on small freelance projects can help build your experience, confidence, and portfolio while you look for work. You might even realise that freelancing is your jam!

• Internships: If you’re still early in your career, another option is to consider internships with healthcare companies, medical communications agencies, or pharmaceutical firms. They are highly competitive but certainly worth a shot.

• Volunteering: Volunteering can provide valuable experience and connections. The caveat is that work is unpaid, but showcasing your volunteering on your CV can make it easier to find paid employment.

Pro Tip: Track the impact of your health writing—whether it’s increased patient engagement, successful grant applications, or improved internal communications within a healthcare organisation.

Start Your Medical Writing Career Today

By following these steps, you’re well on your way to launching a successful career as a health or medical writer. These are the exact steps I took to launch my freelance business—and I haven’t looked back since!

Start by actioning these steps today. If you need more guidance and support, don’t hesitate to contact me.