• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Health Writer Hub

  • ABOUT
    • Our Story
    • Student Feedback
    • Our Alumni
    • CPD Certification
    • Subscribe
  • ON-DEMAND COURSES
    • Career Course
    • Medical Editing Course
    • Patient Education Course
    • Health Marketing Course
  • ALL COURSES
    • Health Writing Course
    • Freelance Writing Course
    • Copywriting Course
    • Portfolio Masterclass
    • View all
  • FREEBIES
    • Vaccine Hesitancy Checklist
    • Health Writing Checklist
    • 3-day Email Course
    • Article Pitching Guide
  • BLOG
    • View Posts
    • Contribute

Becoming a freelance health writer right out of college: It IS possible

Have you bought into the lie that you need an “adult job” before you can begin a career as a freelance health writer? We're here to bust that myth completely.

First Published November 10, 2020 | Last Updated December 27, 2020 | 80 Shares | By Audrey Robin

Facebook80TweetPin

Are you in college, or about to graduate, and interested in becoming a freelance health writer? If the answer is yes, you are about to embark on a great career path.

The world of freelance health writing is vast. There are boundless opportunities, but knowing how to find them can be tough, especially if you’re new to the industry.

In this article, I’ll share how I started my health writing career right out of college, a few misconceptions I had about being a freelance health writer, and steps you can take to get your own career started.

How I became a freelance health writer right out of college

Have you bought into the lie that you need an “adult job” before you can begin freelancing? I remember thinking this myself when I first graduated from university.

The reality is, it’s just not true.

If you went to college, you are prepared to be a freelance writer.

Freelancing isn’t just something you do before you get a “real” job. Any job that provides for your way of life is “real.”

With that in mind, let’s talk about starting a freelance health writing career without any corporate experience.

I graduated college with three different degrees in communication, political science, and Spanish. Yep, none of those were health or science-related. In fact, certain aspects of the medical field give me the creeps – I don’t do blood.

Here’s misconception number 1 about being a health writer: you must have a background in health, science, or research.

A background in the health field will certainly not hurt you, however, neither is it required. The same is true if you have a health degree but not a marketing or communications degree.

The key is knowing how to utilize your experience to position yourself as an expert to potential clients.

You must also demonstrate that you have the knowledge and ability to offer them something they themselves cannot do.

Want to become a freelance health writer?
Our How to Become a Freelance Health Writer course teaches you how to set up and run a successful freelance writing business in the healthcare industry. Enter your email for a free course outline.

You'll also join 16,000+ others who receive our regular emails. Opt out at any time. View our Terms and Privacy Policy.

How did I do this?

I fell back on my experience in the sports industry and as a collegiate track and cross country athlete. You see, in college I struggled finding a career path.

I interned in three wildly different industries over four years.

First, I worked in communications for a local non-profit.

Second, I managed social media for the United States Department of State Office of Sports Diplomacy.

Finally, I wrote promotional and commercial pieces for a local sports radio. While it felt like I was jumping around, I would later realize that all my experiences had one thing in common: writing and sports.

At this point you may be thinking, “wow, she had it all together, a degree in communication and lot’s of good experience to draw on.”

This brings me to misconception number 2 about being a freelance health writer: you only get to write academic white papers.

When I graduated from university, I had a huge passion for health, fitness, and sports. I thought I knew what freelance health writing was. In my mind, it was writing medical research papers for healthcare professionals and business or other tedious types of highly technical writing. It’s actually so much more than that.

Opportunities in freelance health writing

Post college, I thought I wanted to work in radio. I got a part-time job working events for a few local music stations.

After only working two or three times per month for a few months, I decided to look into freelance writing on the side.

Four months after college I found my first freelance job writing long-form SEO blogs for a logistics company. The pay was pitiful, but it showed me the potential of freelance writing.

I left the part-time job in radio and decided to focus entirely on pursuing a freelance career. After several jobs writing for general clients, I decided to choose a niche following my passion for health and wellness.

In spite of my belief that all I would be writing were research articles, I discovered health writers actually write any of the following:

  • Feature articles
  • Social media management
  • Health blogs
  • Ebooks
  • Brochures and flyers
  • Newsletters
  • Presentations
  • Website copy
  • And more.

Like I said, the opportunities in freelance health writing are endless. But, I still had one more misconception about this career choice.

Misconception number 3: the only clients you can write for are doctors.

Wrong again. After choosing this niche, my first client was a healthcare staffing agency that needed flyers and brochures.

Your potential clients could include anyone from a health specialist with their own practice to a government health organization. There are hundreds of websites that accept health article pitches from freelancers, too.

Don’t count out the health-related brands either like clothing and skincare companies.

Steps you can take right out of college or university

My freelance health writing career took several months to get established after college.

I had to conquer misconceptions about this field and learn how to find writing opportunities.

The first few cold article pitches were terrifying, and I didn’t have any clue how they would be received.

Funny enough, one of those first pitches got a response; the company just ended up being too much of a start-up to afford my services. Still, I kept reaching out and finally found success.

Here are four steps I took to get started that you can do to:

  • Research health writing advice
  • Research the types of health clients and companies you will serve
  • Partner with other health writers
  • Don’t be scared to put yourself out there.

Health professionals are typically highly educated and driven, but working for them doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating.

Ultimately, writing isn’t their main focus. They’re not writers, but you are.

You have something you can offer them that they need, and don’t be scared to offer it.

Also remember that, while you may work alone, you can always network with established health writers.

Becoming a freelance health writer right out of college is a rewarding career path and one I hope you feel a little more prepared to go down.

Facebook80TweetPin

Filed Under: A career as a health writer, Freelance health writing

Audrey Robin

About Audrey Robin

Audrey Robin is a health and wellness content writer. Her expertise is in blogs, emails, and website copy. She’s been writing for holistic health and wellness brands since graduating college in 2019. A former collegiate track athlete, she stays healthy through cross-fit and natural living. Follow her own blog for health entrepreneurs or find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Enjoyed the post?
Get the latest health writing advice and course news.

You'll also join 16,000+ others who receive our regular emails. Opt out at any time. View our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

BROWSE BLOG CATEGORIES

A career as a health writer
Writing about COVID-19
Finding work and getting published
Freelance health writing
Health blogging
How to be a more confident writer
Health writing skills
Health communication research

UPCOMING CLASSES

Introduction to Health Writing
Starts 22 March 2021
Breaking Into Health Writing
Now open – sign up today
Amplify Your First Draft (a Medical Editing Course)
Now open – sign up today
Build Your Portfolio Masterclass
Applications now open
Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting
Starts 24 May 2021
How to Become a Freelance Health Writer
Starts 12 July 2021
How to Write Patient Education Materials
Starts May 2021
Health Marketing Rules & Regulations
Starts June 2021
Health writing courses

Not sure which course is right for you? Get in touch, and let's have a chat about your skills and experience.

Contact Michelle

Footer

Join 16,000+ writers who are learning now. Get the latest health writing advice and course news.

Opt out at any time.

SUPPORT

Contact
FAQ
Payment
Disclaimer
Terms
Refunds

Blogs

Career
Health writing skills
Research
Contribute
Editorial guidelines

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Courses

Health writing
Freelancing
Medical copywriting
Medical editing
Health marketing
Career course
View all courses

Health Writer Hub © 2021. All Rights Reserved. I acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where I live, learn and work.