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Build Your Portfolio Masterclass

Build Your Portfolio Masterclass is a 1:1 mentoring program, designed to help you create eight quality health & medical writing samples for your writing portfolio.

Build a portfolio of quality writing samples.

Welcome to Build Your Portfolio Masterclass, a 1:1 mentoring program, designed to help you build a strong portfolio when you have no writing experience.

PROGRAM DETAILS
APPLY ONLINE NOW

Now accepting applications

To be considered for the program, you must be able to commit to 6-8 hours per week for your 16-week program and pay the fee on application.


  • Write eight quality writing samples for your portfolio
  • Work 1:1 with an experienced writing mentor
  • Stay motivated and accountable
  • Use your samples to get paid work
  • Invest in your writing future.

Helped me enhance my writing skills and approach my freelance business with more focus and confidence

krithika“Michelle is a wonderful person, a great teacher, mentor, and listener. You will see this reflected in the course content and interactions with her. She helped me narrow down my niche, improve my website and LinkedIn profile, and create my portfolio. Her comments and feedback helped me enhance my writing skills and approach my freelance business with more focus and confidence. If you are looking for a mentor or looking to improve your writing skills and create a portfolio, I highly recommend Michelle’s Masterclass.”

Krithika Muthukumaran, PhD, Canada

Who should take this masterclass?

Build Your Portfolio Masterclass is perfect for you if:

  • You have zero published writing experience
  • You want to build a portfolio, but have no idea how to start
  • You prefer to work 1:1 with a mentor instead of taking a group course
  • You are serious about investing in your writing future
  • You are ready to write … a lot!

What will you learn?

Build Your Portfolio Masterclass is a 1:1 mentoring program, designed to help you create eight quality health & medical writing samples for your writing portfolio.

  • Define your niche and target clients or employers
  • Determine your writing styles
  • Workshop topics and ideas for health & medical content for your portfolio
  • Plan your writing program
  • Workshop your tasks until they are industry standard
  • Learn how to leverage your portfolio to find work.

After you complete the masterclass, you will have eight portfolio pieces to show prospective clients, editors and employers. In other words, you’ll have proof that you ARE a writer!

How does it work?

Here’s what you can expect.

Build Your Portfolio Masterclass runs for four months. Included in the masterclass is on-demand access to Introduction to Health Writing.

During the four-month course period, you will have fortnightly calls with your teacher and review Introduction to Health Writing in your own time.

You’ll work on your portfolio writing tasks between calls and receive ongoing feedback for the duration of the program.

This feedback will empower you to improve your skills, identify any bad habits and achieve industry standards.

At the end of the masterclass, you’ll have eight pieces of work to include in your portfolio.

Applications are now open.

Build your writing portfolio and become a published health writer in 2021!

APPLY ONLINE NOW

Masterclass outline

Your guide to a quality portfolio of health & medical writing samples.

Week 1: Introductions and planning

We begin with a career coaching session and a comprehensive overview of the health writing industry. Determining your focus, we will discuss your niche, ideal clients or employers and the type of writing services you want to offer.

Week 2: Setting your writing tasks

After identifying your vision for your health & medical writing career, we will create your portfolio program for the next 12 weeks. We’ll be creating portfolio items that you can use to get paid work.

Weeks 3-14: Writing and workshopping

The next 12 weeks are all about writing. You will write your tasks, receive feedback on your tasks, address any edits and re-submit your tasks until your mentor is confident that your work is at the right standard to show clients and editors.

Weeks 15-16: Next steps, industry guidance, pitching advice

We wrap up your masterclass by putting an action plan into place, identifying your next steps, and setting a series of short and long-term goals for your future writing career.

Extras: COVID-19 and healthcare communication (new)

With the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, there’s never been a more significant time to learn about effective health communication. Communicating about COVID-19 is a topic that ALL health writers need to know about, as it will be a feature of health communication for years to come. To help you learn more about COVID-19 and responsible health communication, I’ve developed a dedicated resources page, updated regularly, which is included in your course.

BONUS CONTENT!

FREE access to the Health Writer Hub Alumni Webinar Library

health writing webinars
  • 14 webinars with new webinars released every few months
  • Watch on-demand with lifetime access
  • 10+ hours of online learning included for free
  • Learn about freelance writing, finding work and writing tips – webinar topics include quoting for jobs, finding clients, CV writing, finding employed work, website essentials, subcontracting, marketing, and more!

Join a supportive group of like-minded writers

When you join the Build Your Portfolio Masterclass, you become a member of the Health Writer Hub Alumni – a smart, diverse and friendly community of 750+ health writers from around the world. Alumni benefits include:

  • Loyalty discounts – 30% off any other Health Writer Hub course
  • Weekly challenges – goals to keep you motivated and accountable
  • Student interviews – learn the ropes from experienced students
  • Extra group calls – monthly group chats with other Alumni
  • Global networking – connect with health writers from around the world
  • A supportive network of health writers – ask questions, and share advice
  • Immediate access – join the group as soon as you sign up.

Applications are now open.

Build your writing portfolio and become a published health writer in 2021!

APPLY ONLINE NOW

Student success story

Feedback and alumni success.

Mary Oppenheim is a Dublin doctor who took Build Your Portfolio Masterclass to develop more confidence and launch her health writing career. One month into the masterclass, Mary sent one of her portfolio articles to the editor of an online newspaper. Mary says: “He wrote back straight away saying he loved the idea! I can’t really believe it! It’s already been published – and he asked could I write regularly for them! I honestly don’t know how to thank you enough – this course is so amazing.”

Your teacher

Who I am, and why I want to help you succeed.

Hi – I’m Michelle Guillemard, creator of Health Writer Hub (you can read more about me here).

When I launched Health Writer Hub in 2014, my aim was to create a best-practice resource to empower health writers to develop their skills, grow their careers and improve the quality of health content on the web.

Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of health writers to improve their skills through personalised feedback and mentoring.

Some prefer the flexibility of a group course. Others want extensive individual support and coaching that can only come from working 1:1 with a mentor. That’s why I created the Build Your Portfolio Masterclass – a tailored mentoring program that helps new writers like you create high-quality writing samples that you can use to get paid work.

If you want to kickstart your health & medical writing career with a strong portfolio of industry-leading content, then my Build Your Portfolio Masterclass is the program for you.

Frequently asked questions

What you need to know.

How much does the masterclass cost?
The fee for the 16-week program is $1299 USD. This fee includes on-demand access to Introduction to Health Writing ($395 USD), plus seven 30-minute coaching calls, personalised feedback on eight writing tasks and ongoing teacher support.
How much time do I need to set aside?
You will need a minimum of ten hours per week to research, write and review your feedback.
Why should I take your masterclass?
You should take this class if you have no published writing experience and are keen to build a portfolio of work you can show prospective clients.
How do I know if health & medical writing is the right career choice for me?
Before you invest in this program, it’s important to be certain that you are ready to commit. This masterclass is all about writing – a lot of it! Feel free to email me if you’re still unsure, and we can have a chat about it.
Does this course teach me how to set up a freelance medical writing business, too?
This masterclass is designed to help you develop writing samples for your portfolio. While we discuss aspects of running a freelance business, it’s not a freelance writing course. If you’re interested in learning how to set up a freelance writing business, take a look at freelance medical writing course.
How many calls do we have?
We have fortnightly 30-minute calls for the duration of the program.
What is your guarantee/refund policy?
If your circumstances change and you can’t join the masterclass before the start date, you will receive a refund less $100 administration fee. Once the masterclass has commenced, there are no refunds. Special consideration may be granted if there are exceptional circumstances. All refunds are discretionary.
How do I access the masterclass?
This course is conducted online, so all you need is a PC or phone and an internet connection.
How long will I have access for?
You can access any included course materials for as long as you need to. If you still need access after the 16-week course period, you will be able to continue to use the materials.
What do people say about Health Writer Hub?
It’s very important to me that all students get the most out of their learning experiences. To read past student reviews, click here.
Can I still take the class if I’m American/ English/ Australian/ European?
I often get students contacting me and asking this question! I have designed the class to be relevant for any English-speaking writer, anywhere. I don’t believe that your location should limit your freelance health writing opportunities, and everything that is taught in this course is applicable at a global level. Health Writer Hub students hail from Australia, America, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the UK.
Do you offer loyalty discounts?
I do indeed! All students who take one of my courses will receive a voucher for 30% off any of my other courses. You can get in touch with me if you have any questions about this.
What feedback do I get?
The course includes personalised feedback on your writing tasks. You’ll receive a detailed critique of each task with actionable tips for improvement. This feedback is just between us. You’ll get a list of techniques to work on based on any issues or areas for improvement I identify while marking your tasks. The feedback is extremely beneficial if you’re looking for practical tips to help you improve your writing skills.
I have a question – how can I contact you?
I welcome questions and am happy to hear from you. Please contact me via the contact form here.

Applications are now open.

Build your writing portfolio and become a published health writer in 2021!

APPLY ONLINE NOW

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

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