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How do I Become a Health Writer?
If you want to become a health writer, there may be several things you need to do to get your career off the ground. To begin with, you may want to decide what type of health writer you would like to be. Health writers often specialize in certain areas, such as medical journalism or nutrition writing. Once you have made this decision, you may need to sharpen your writing skills and medical knowledge. Developing contacts in the medical industry may also be essential to your career.
There are many health writing opportunities. Deciding which of those opportunities you would like to pursue is important, because this will help you determine the qualifications you need and the approach that will lead to success. If, for example, you want to become a health writer who specializes in trade journal writing, you will need different language skills than if you want to write for online health and beauty publications. Trade magazines often require writers to communicate technical topics to educated professionals in a given field.
Deciding which opportunities you want to pursue does not mean you must limit your choice to one type of writing. You may want to specialize in several types of medical writing. This is feasible as long as you know that each sub-genre may require different skills.
If you are already writing in other genres, you may not need to focus on your writing skills to become a health writer. If, however, your work experience is in a completely different field, you may have to dedicate some effort into developing communication, composition, and vocabulary skills. Many people who lack inside knowledge mistakenly believe that writing is an easy job. In reality, it can be quite difficult.
In addition to knowing how to write, you will need to have knowledge about the health industry. A medical journalist, for example, needs to be aware of popular topics surrounding health and medicine. A nutrition writer needs to develop a good understanding of the body and things that are used on it or in it.
Once you feel qualified to become a health writer, you will need to either launch a publication or find clients. Starting your own health publication may not pay in the beginning, but it is a good way to build a reputation. If you want to write for others, you can search job listings. There are places online that cater to writers seeking jobs.
Two things you may need to secure clients are a resume and writing samples. Whether or not you will be asked for a resume depends on the potential client. The chances are great, however, that you will be asked for samples of your work. If you have not been published, you may have to produce materials to demonstrate your skills. You may want to have a few of these prepared before you begin approaching clients. However, do not be surprised if your potential clients ask you to produce original samples according to their specifications.
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Discussion Comments
When you are in the health-care field it doesn't take a great deal of effort to become a health writer. I know several nurses and doctors who I have worked with in the past who wrote articles for various publications.
Doctors are often solicited to write for trade publications. When you have the knowledge regarding a specific health topic, some publications will overlook your less than professional writing skills. After all, the magazines and journals do have editors who can clean up the writing for you.
Of course, once you decide to make health writing your primary source of income, you should know how to write professionally.
I went to college and earned a degree in journalism. The first several positions I held at newspapers required me to write about a wide range of topics. I was a general assignment reporter. This means I covered whatever needed to be covered, from sports to city government.
After a few years working at smaller newspapers, I landed a job as a health reporter for a medium-size daily newspaper. I didn't have any specific experience for the position but I had writing and reporting experience.
My journalism degree got me in the door. Once I had the job, I researched continually on health issues and I established strong relationships with the medical professionals in my area. For me, the process to become a health writer was a matter of on-the-job training.
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