Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Own Business as a Freelance Medical Writer
Medical writing has been described as one of the top interesting 6-figure jobs. It is a perfect career change for scientists and doctors who want to work at home and enjoy a better work-life balance. This series of books will help people get started in freelance medical writing. It can also be used a resource for the many online programs now teaching medical writing.
Book 3 - Writing the Medical News
This book, covering the Week 3 materials of Dr. Hitt Nichols' 6-Week Course, "Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Freelance Medical Writing Business", discusses various aspects of writing the medical news and how to find medical conference work as a freelance medical writer.Other Books in the Series
Book 1 covers what medical writing entails and the types of skills needed for medical writing and for freelancing specifically. The book also describes some of the basics of medical writing style and information about transitioning into medical writing. Book 2 covers everything you need to know to set up shop as a freelance, with specific information relevant to medical writing. Book 4 covers continuing medical education (CME) writing, discussing the scope of CME work; concepts in “fair balance;” writing effective CME, learning objectives, and questions; and defines “ghostwriting” and how it relates to the profession of medical writing.In Book 5, on writing feature articles, Dr. Hitt Nichols describes the scope of feature article writing with a medical focus, how to write feature articles, interviewing tips and techniques for feature articles. Potential medical writing markets for feature articles, such as trade journals and online work, and how to get feature article writing work are also discussed.
Lastly, Book 6 describes running a freelance business once you have set it up, negotiating and collecting your pay, positioning yourself as a freelance writer, as well as contracts 101 for freelance medical writers, organizational tips for freelance medical writers, how to determine when to break up with a client, freelance customer service (keeping your clients happy and what to do when they are not), sending out invoices, and self-care for the busy freelancer.
About The Author
Dr. Hitt Nichols founded Hitt Medical Writing LLC in 2001, immediately after finishing graduate school. Dr. Hitt Nichols also founded The HittListTM, a free weekly email containing medical writing jobs. She also teaches the online 6-week course, which has helped countless qualified people start in freelance medical writing.Dr. Hitt Nichols’ PhD is in the area of cancer-related signal transduction. She also has an MS in technical and professional communication.