Medical Copywriting Course - Learn How To Be A Health Copywriter

What you’ll learn

Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting is your ultimate guide to health & medical copywriting essentials, covering:

A comprehensive overview of the medical copywriting field
How to build a career in the industry
The many companies and clients who hire medical copywriters
The sheer variety of medical copywriting projects
How much money you can make as a medical copywriter
Pricing strategies that help you win copywriting jobs
What clients and employers are looking for in a professional copywriter
Essential skills, attributes, experience and qualifications
How to ensure your work is compliant and doesn’t mislead your readers

Evidence-based persuasive writing techniques
How to get from a blank page to a completed brief
Strategies for building trust and writing engaging copy
How to get comfortable and confident using the power of persuasion
How to write trustworthy content that inspires action
How to make even ‘serious’ medical copy sound engaging and inspiring
How to cite medical research and reference your work correctly
Legal, regulatory and ethical considerations all copywriters need to know
Copywriting format, design and layout best practices

Trusted
1500+ students in 40+ countries have taken our courses.

Flexible
Learn at your own pace, from anywhere, with unlimited access.

Certified
Accredited for quality, academic standards and professional development.

Who is this course for?

Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting students have tremendously varied backgrounds, but they all share a passion for excellent health communication! Just some of the many students worldwide who are drawn to this course include:

Health professionals looking for a career change
Writers who are keen to polish their writing skills and learn more about industry standards
Academics looking into medical copywriting as a new opportunity
Semi-retirees who are exploring the idea of healthcare writing
New copywriters who are ready to give it a go and go pro
Anyone who wants to write better health content and help people live healthier lives

Who teaches this course?

career in medical writing teacher michelle guillemard

Hi there! I’m Michelle Guillemard, your health writing teacher and the founder of Health Writer Hub. With 14 years of health copywriting experience, I’m here to help you enhance your copywriting skills and transition to the field with confidence. Through Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting, I will teach you:

How the health copywriting industry operates
Where to find paid work
Which companies hire copywriters
How to write best-practice health copy
All the in-demand copywriting techniques you need to know
How to get started as a copywriter

A community of opportunity

“I came to this course curious and hopeful. As I worked through the material, I felt stretched and challenged, but always buoyant. That’s because Michelle is such a great teacher, mentor and encourager. It’s not just a course, but a community of opportunity – and a great one to be part of.”

Sally Bathgate, Australia

What’s included?

Here’s what you get.

3+ hours of podcast lectures discussing the lesson curriculum in detail
Weekly video calls (new for 2021!) where we’ll get together and you can pick my brain
Podcast notes covering the lesson topics
Weekly copywriting exercises to help you put the learnings into practice
Dozens of handouts full of best-practice resources
Templates and guidelines to help you plan your content
Personalised feedback on every writing task you submit
Student-only Facebook group of 1000+ so you can meet other students
CPD certificate to put towards self-study or CPD
Alumni webinar library access including 10+ hours of bonus learning
Loyalty discounts giving you 30% off every other course
World-class eLearning platform for a seamless learning experience.

Outstanding

“The Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting course pushed me out of my comfort zone as an academic writer and opened me up to a whole new world of medical writing. This course covers so much more than just how to write great copy. It delves into the mindset of writing copy, the psychology behind copywriting, legal considerations, how to stand out among your peers, and how to get and retain clients. Michelle is a great teacher, with clear and logical lessons packed with information and delivered in a variety of ways. The templates, extra resources, and fantastic networking opportunities were unexpected bonuses that made this class outstanding.”

Jan Dutton, New Zealand

How does it work?

Here’s what you can expect.

Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting includes 16 engaging lectures delivered over four lessons, plus weekly group calls
Each lesson requires a time commitment of around 2-4 hours
Work through the lessons at your own pace – take as long as you need, and email Michelle whenever you have questions!
After you’ve completed the lessons, submit the optional homework for personalised writing feedback.

Course outline

Your curriculum guide.

An introduction to health & medical copywriting

We begin with a comprehensive overview of the health & medical copywriting industry.

Discover the many forms of health & medical copywriting – learn about ads, sales copy, email marketing, blogging, website copywriting, product information, patient education, SEO and more
Explore the vast employment opportunities – see who you can work for as both a freelance and employed copywriter, and gain an understanding of how much money you can expect to make
Discover what clients and employers are looking for in a copywriter for hire – be taught about essential skills, experience, qualifications, attributes, CVs and your portfolio
Find out how to transition to the health & medical copywriting field – I’ll give you my top strategies to help you plan your entry into the industry

Mindset, research, voice and drafting

You’ve got a brief. Now what? Believe it or not, background work is just as – if not MORE – important than the words you put on the page. That’s why our second lesson focuses on the essential preparation needed to write compelling health & medical copy.

Develop a copywriting mindset – learn what this mindset entails and why you need it before you start writing
Find out how to research your customer needs – get strategies to ensure your copywriting is highly targeted and extremely effective
Understand your project’s key requirements – discover the crucial questions to ask before you start working so you will save you time and enhance the quality of your work
Learn how to start writing when presented with a blank page – get templates to help if you’re struggling to get started

Fascinating and applicable to the real world

“I’ve completed two courses and I loved both of them. Michelle is encouraging, supportive and knowledgeable. The courses are fascinating and applicable to the real world. I thoroughly recommend them to anyone interested in learning the craft and business of health writing.”

Dr Elaine McNamara, UK

Persuasion, trust, engagement and action

In copywriting, persuasion is the name of the game. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to weave persuasive writing techniques into your health & medical copywriting.

Get comfortable and confident with persuasion – learn about compelling offers, power words, persuasion psychology and more
Discover how to build trust with your readers – be taught what does (and doesn’t) establish consumer trust and loyalty
Grasp the essential best practices for writing engaging health & medical copy – get strategies to help you generate leads, clicks and sales, even when you’re writing serious medical copy
Action, action, action – learn about calls to action and strategies for creating clear, actionable copy

Essential information for health & medical copywriters

The fourth and final lesson of your copywriting course covers the key, industry-specific topics that all professional health & medical copywriters need to know.

Explore legal and regulatory laws – I’ll show you how to ensure your copywriting is compliant and not misleading
Discover how to write high-quality health & medical copy – learn about ethical considerations, social responsibility, meaningful messages, citing medical research and referencing your work correctly
Get strategies to make your copywriting look beautiful – get essential layout, formatting and readability tips
Learn tips and tricks to make your copywriting even more powerful – discover the secret copywriting tactics used by the most successful copywriters
OPTION TO PITCH YOUR ARTICLE: For this week’s homework, you can write and pitch an article or blog to a relevant website or magazine

Bonuses!

10+ hours of online learning included for ~~$399~~ free.

14 webinars – webinar topics include quoting for jobs, finding clients, CV writing, finding employed work, website essentials, subcontracting, marketing and more!
COVID-19 communication resources – stay updated with the latest health communication best practices
Plain English fundamentals (new!) – ensure your writing captures the essential readability techniques all health writers need to know

Join a supportive group of like-minded copywriters

When you join Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting, you become a member of the Health Writer Hub Alumni – a smart, diverse and friendly community of 1000+ health writers from around the world. Alumni benefits include:

Loyalty discounts – 30% off any other Health Writer Hub course
Writing challenges – goals to keep you motivated and accountable
Global networking – connect with health writers from around the world
A supportive group of health writers – ask questions, and share advice
Immediate access – join the group as soon as you sign up.

Michelle is more of a friendly guide than an instructor

“I took this course to improve my less academic voice and it delivered that and then some. The insights and tips given provide a road map that can really take you where you want to go in the field. From teaching you how to find your niche (a hard one for many), to showing you how to get clients, this course is a must-do for all aspiring health and medical copywriters (and even those already working who just want to brush up on some skills). Another GREAT aspect of the course was the feedback that Michelle provided. This was a Godsend for me as I had never had professional feedback on my writing and getting that from Michelle really helped to boost my confidence. Michelle is more of a friendly guide than an instructor. She is ALWAYS available and will answer all your questions.”

Natricha Levy McFarlane, Canada

Your teacher

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

Hello again – 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.

Health & medical copywriting is about inspiring action. As a copywriter, your job is to encourage the intended response with credible, compliant and responsible content. Ultimately, conversion is the skill – and power – of effective copywriting. But, conversion isn’t just about sales – it’s about education, inspiration, empowerment and behaviour change.

As a health writer, you’re a public health advocate. Your words have the power to inspire positive action in your readers. Your content can help people improve their health literacy skills – so they can make informed choices about their health.

If you want to be an authentic, responsible and creative health copywriter, then Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting is the course for you!

My teaching method

I teach this course, and all my courses, through a combination of audio lectures (podcast style) and text resources. I also offer a range of video content, including bonus webinars and regular student interviews.

After experimenting with different combinations over the years and listening to student feedback, I am confident that delivering lectures in both audio AND text format is the most effective way for you to learn about health writing.

Consume the content however you like:

Listen and read the transcripts at the same time
Listen and take your own notes
Listen away from your computer
Read the transcripts only.

Many students have told me they enjoy listening to the lectures while driving, walking, hiking, running or cleaning the house! You’re free to do whatever works best for you.

What are the opportunities after completion?

After you complete Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting, you will have:

Enhanced writing skills that clients and employers are looking for
Persuasive writing abilities to write stronger health content
Quality writing samples to show prospective clients and employers
Industry knowledge to help you find freelance and employed work.

I am grateful I completed it!

“Lesson 1 was a great way to strengthen my understanding of this career path. What is a medical writer? What is a copywriter? How do I plan goals? What questions should I ask myself at this point? Lesson 2 was a gamechanger. Knowing how to set up key requirements for a project definitely helps me strategize best practices with clients. I also give more thought to my “avatar” – the person who I am actually writing for with each piece. What does the person look like? What are the pain points? What problem needs to be solved? The client brief from Lesson 2.3 is so very helpful. Lesson 3 was the meat of this whole course. This is where we really dug into writing a piece and making it work. This section is well organized and focused on each element of the craft: persuasion, trust, engagement, and action. I will probably take this section again just to make sure I remember the key points. Lesson 4 was the most helpful for my actual business knowledge. You don’t know what you don’t know, right? To complete all of these sessions, it took a lot of late-night hours of reading and processing the materials. I am grateful I completed it!”

Tenille L. Lawson, USA

Certified and accredited

Accredited for quality and standards.

Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting is an approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course, independently accredited with the CPD Certification Service – one of the world’s leading independent CPD accreditation institutions.

As a CPD-accredited course, Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting meets the required standard of CPD at a global level. The course’s learning value and structure conform to global CPD guidelines and principles, complementing the CPD policies of professional institutes and academic bodies.

Student stories

Feedback and student success.

Anne Watkins is a UK-based freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience working in the fields of healthcare, stress management and neuro-linguistic programming communication skills. She’s worked as a practising midwife, a critical care nurse, a nurse teacher and clinical educationalist. She currently continues to lecture in communication skills and medical hypnosis at a leading UK university and offer training for multidisciplinary medical teams in NLP communication skills.

Anne says: “For years copywriting seemed like a dark art to me but thanks to Michelle’s course I discovered that the niche of technical copywriting fits my skill set perfectly. I now have much more confidence in applying for jobs and in calling myself a medical copywriter. I still refer back to the course materials from time to time, and each time I find myself learning something new. The links to additional learning at the end of each section are also very helpful and a fabulous way of reinforcing the key messages of each unit. This is a course that is going to stay bookmarked in my favourites folder for a long time to come.”

Karen Farrar is a cardiac physiologist and sonographer turned writer from Melbourne who believes her background in healthcare turned out to be an ideal training ground for writing, editing, communications and strategy.

Karen says: “Coming from a health professional background, I was used to writing in a more academic and report-based style for other professionals. The Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting course helped me develop a writing style for a broader audience, and taught me how content can be written to create trust and encourage action. I have used these principles to write a range of content for health professionals including web copy, professional profiles and social media posts. I now also apply them to copywriting in other sectors. This course also has important information for writers from non-health backgrounds, particularly on legal and regulatory issues of writing about health products and practitioners.”

Jackie Rogers is a freelance content writer and blogger based in Denver, Colorado. She took Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting because she, like most students, wanted best-practice resources to help her learn how to be a persuasive health copywriter.

Jackie says: “My goal in life is to create resources which encourage people to live their healthiest lives and be the best version of themselves. I want to help healthcare providers who want to help others by showcasing their expertise and helping them build trust with their audience. I took this class almost a year ago, and I still have all of the resources saved! The information about creating avatars was extremely helpful in my case to narrow down what I was trying to convey. This is a great class for someone who wants to break into the field! Completing this course gave me the confidence I needed to go further with my career.”

Nancy Linford, PhD, is an experienced biomedical writer and editor with an MS degree in Biology and a PhD in Pharmacology. An American living in Reykjavík, Iceland, Nancy believes that great science and great medicine need great communication.

Nancy says, “This course gave me the confidence and skills that were necessary to expand my freelance medical writing business into health copywriting. I especially appreciated Michelle’s detailed advice on how to create intriguing copy while maintaining the highest standards of professional integrity.”

Writing task feedback

Personalised feedback to improve your writing skills.

The course includes individual feedback on your writing tasks
You’ll receive a detailed critique of each task with action points and tips for improvement
This feedback is just between us and is extremely beneficial if you’re looking for personalised, practical tips to help you improve your writing skills

Frequently asked questions

What you need to know.

How much does the course cost?

The course fee for the next class is $519 USD. The fee will be converted to your local currency via Stripe.

How much time do I need to set aside?

I recommend that you allow around 4-8 hours each week for listening to the podcasts and reviewing all of the course materials. The amount of time you spend completing your writing task is a personal decision – most students spend several hours on each task, while others can complete their task in just a couple of hours – or need more time. As all students are at different stages with their writing and have different skill sets, there is no one way to go about it.

Why should I take your medical copywriting course?

It’s true you can find a lot of free writing advice online (and on my blog in particular). But here’s the difference. When you take one of my writing courses, you have my full support. You have a teacher. And, that’s because I don’t feel I can teach you how to improve your writing skills unless you get feedback. I believe the three most important steps to take to improve your writing are reading, practice and feedback. You can (and should) do the first two on your own, but the third? That’s where I come in. And, that’s why ALL my courses include my feedback and support. I don’t just send you the materials. When you take one of my courses, I spend a lot of time reading your tasks and giving you practical steps to help you become the best health & medical copywriter you can be.

How do I know if medical copywriting is for me?

You hate the notion of selling something. You have a problem with the idea of working in marketing. Is copywriting really for you? If you are keen to learn how to write creatively to achieve outcomes and are a results-driven writer who thrives on inventing exciting offers that help to change lives, then medical copywriting is for you. Remember, there are different skill sets within medical copywriting. It’s not JUST about selling. Nor do you have to be an abstract creative who spends their days working on complicated, smart advertising concepts. Blogging and even article writing are forms of copywriting. 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 medical copywriting business, too?

This course is primarily designed to teach you about the medical copywriting field and techniques. While we discuss aspects of running a freelance business, it’s not a freelance copywriting course. If you’re interested in learning how to set up a freelance writing business, take a look at my freelance medical writing course.

Why aren't the lessons live?

People from all over the world take Health Writer Hub’s courses, so it’s very hard to find a time that suits everyone involved. The materials are ready for you to view at a time that suits you – enabling you to get the most out of your learning experience. We also have a student-only forum where you can post questions and answers and interact with the other students taking the course at the time. And, of course, you have unlimited email access to me for the duration of the course – and for as long as you like afterwards.

What is your guarantee/refund policy?

It’s critical to me that everyone who signs up for Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting gets the most out of their course. I want you to be satisfied that the course content is exactly as described on this page, and I very much care about providing a high-quality, valuable course for all students. If you cannot attend your course, you must advise me in writing at least three days before your course starts. If this happens, you will receive a full refund. If you wish to withdraw or cancel your enrollment within the three-day period, you will receive a refund less $100 administration fee. Once your course has commenced, there are no refunds if you are suddenly unable to attend. If you are not happy with the course content after the first lesson has been released, I encourage you to let me know so we can discuss your concerns together. If we can’t come to an agreement, you may be eligible for a refund less $100 administration fee.

Can I start the course before or after the official start date?

Many of my students have schedules which can make it difficult to commit – and, that’s why I’m very flexible with all my courses. You can absolutely start earlier, or later, as a lot of the learning is self-directed. If you would like to register and have early access to the course, please email me.

How do I access the course?

This course is conducted online, so all you need is a PC or phone and an internet connection. You can download the course materials to your desktop to read them offline at a later date.

How long will I have access for?

You can access all course materials for as long as you need to. If you still need access after the 4-week course period, you will be able to continue to use the materials.

Do I only have one week to review the weekly lessons?

You have as long as you like. Many students like to take their time with the materials. The choice is yours, and rest assured I’m not going anywhere – once you sign up for the course, you will have my support whenever you need it.

How is this course different to other copywriting courses?

Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting is designed for writers who are specifically interested in health & medical copywriting as opposed to copywriting in general. All of the information in the course is designed for writers who intend to write about healthcare and medical topics, and it’s applicable to the medical writing industry.

How often is the course material updated?

The course material is reviewed and updated throughout the year. All students are surveyed after they have completed the course and their suggestions are incorporated. Additionally, I am constantly keeping up-to-date with new industry trends and looking for the latest advice to include – helping to ensure the content is always as relevant and current as possible.

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 course if I’m American/ English/ Australian/ European?

I often get students contacting me and asking this question! I have designed the course 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. We’ve had students from Australia, America, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the UK take this and other Health Writer Hub courses.

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’s the difference between health copywriting and medical copywriting?

For the purposes of this course, nothing! Generally speaking, for some people there is no difference between the terms ‘health’ and medical’ while others tend to equate ‘health’ writing with consumer writing and ‘medical’ writing with academic and scientific writing. My course is relevant for all styles of copywriting within the healthcare niche.

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.

Student feedback

What past students have said about Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting.

Everything I need and more

“Studying How to Become a Freelance Health Writer has given me all the information I need and more to confidently get my freelance career underway!”

Nicola Parrington, Hong Kong | Clinical Copy

Michelle gave very attentive, spot-on feedback on my writing

“The course has a very personal feel—it’s not just great information and helpful resources—because it’s provided in such a delightfully cordial way. In addition to instruction on copywriting skills, there is a lot of attention paid to the process of finding a comfortable place for oneself in the vast and complex landscape of medical writing. I particularly enjoyed the copywriting exercises, where I got to try some new types of writing tasks. Best of all, Michelle gave very attentive, spot-on feedback on my writing.”

Jessica Solodar, USA

Gave me the courage to move forward

“The Principles of Health and Medical Copywriting course provided a wealth of information regarding the career options available, how to get started and build a portfolio, how to research a product or service and its consumers, how to write effective copy, different types of copywriting, and more. Homework exercises help put the learnings into practice for skill-building, and many resources are provided to help continue learning. Michelle is a friendly, approachable teacher and facilitator, always willing to offer feedback and suggestions. This course has given me the courage to move forward with transitioning to a health and medical writing career.”

Dawn Araujo, USA

I have the tools to look for work that is both engaging and purposeful

“I’m an experienced Physical Therapist looking to expand my non-clinical skills, and Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting fully taught me how to utilize my writing skills and clinical knowledge together. This course allowed me to use my degree in new ways and expand my career opportunities when I am ready to leave clinical work. Now I have the tools to look for work that is both engaging and purposeful.”

Kyle Trimble, USA

Michelle teaches you all the important stuff you’ll need to know!

“If you’re copywriting in the health niche, you really need education from a health copywriter to make sure you have all the health industry specific bases covered. Michelle teaches you all the important stuff you’ll need to know!”

Gaz Ffitch, UK

Wonderful teacher, super affordable

“I’m taking Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting by Michelle Guillemard. She’s a wonderful teacher and the class was super affordable. It’s self-paced, but the lessons are designed to keep you moving forward over the 4 weeks. As a true beginner in the writing field, I think it’s fantastic. She’s available by email any time you have a question or need help with the homework. There’s an associated Facebook group where students can post cool articles or pose questions to other students. Michelle is really active on the group too.”

Jessica Eastridge, USA

Highly recommended

“Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting gave me the fundamentals and courage to start my freelance health and medical copywriting career. Loads of useful targeted information including references, articles, and notes were provided. In addition, detailed homework pieces to get you thinking hard on your “how to” strategy. Loved it and would highly recommend.”

Amany Wahba

This is a phenomenal course!

“Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting is a phenomenal course! The lectures, recommended readings and assignments really help you to improve your copywriting skills. You can apply what you are learning in the modules immediately, even if you are not currently a career writer. Michelle is a great instructor and provides valuable feedback on your assignments. I cannot wait to take another course with her!”

Amanda Van Frank, USA

So much support

” The course provided a great overview of medical copywriting. I found particularly useful all the information on legal and regulatory considerations as well as the client brief templates. Michelle also provided us with so much support – she was always available to answer any questions and her feedback was invaluable.”

Yana Daneva, Switzerland

From the first lesson, I was blown away

” At first I was skeptical, as there are a lot of courses out there, and who knows if they are worth the time. And, I must confess, Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting is one course I can recommend. Michelle broke down different aspects of health and medical writing. From the first lesson, I was blown away. She simplified health writing with her elaborate research. This course redefined my perception about the health and medical niche. It gave a quantum leap to my recent projects. The four-week journey was worth the time.”

Joy Okafor, Nigeria

I do have marketable skills outside of patient care

” After taking Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting it has become clear to me that I do have marketable skills outside of patient care, but can still remain in healthcare. I enjoyed the challenge of the writing tasks and have determined where my “sweet spot” is as well as what I need to work on such as everything from word processing skills to being more comfortable with scholarly type pieces and accurate references to medical journals and other published pieces.”

Shirley Beal, USA

The course increased my confidence

” I’m just beginning to explore health copywriting. Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting helped me get a real life view of it, consider the legal aspects of health copywriting I hadn’t thought of and get feedback on my writing skills which helps increase my confidence in my ability to do this.”

Catherine Smith, USA