The 3 Things You Actually Need To Be A Writer

Do you know what you actually need to get started as a medical writer?

I’ve recently had eager writers-to-be ask me some very well-meaning questions, including:

What platform do you use to make your website? I want to get mine going!

How many times a week do you post on LinkedIn? I’m aiming for daily posts!

Do you run a writing social media account? I’m struggling to come up with content!

Phew… guys, I’m exhausted just thinking about the work schedule y’all are working towards. 

Let’s pair this down and actually get you PAID to be a writer — then we can deal with the extras later. Sound good?

What you actually need to start as a freelance writer

In my personal experience, there really are only three essential things that a freelance medical writer needs to succeed.

Dump the extra work and land higher-quality clients by focusing your efforts on these three things:

#1 — Identifying your niche by showing your expertise and value

#2 — Building a work portfolio with pieces that speak directly to your desired clients

#3 — Writing compelling pitches that make you the no-brainer choice

(The links are to my blog articles about these topics btw, in case you want to do some extra reading)

This doesn’t mean you can’t mess around with other ideas

Now listen — I am not here to yuck your yums.

If you really love blogging or messing around on social media, feel free to go ahead and do that in your spare time.

But please, please, please — if you are just starting out as a baby medical writer, do not feel like you need to do it all to be successful.

When I started writing three years ago, I didn’t have a website, social media presence, or even a Linkedin account.

(Ok, well, technically I did have an LinkedIn account… but my only connection was my now fiancé lol)

Instead, I focused my efforts on the three key things I knew I needed to do to land my first paying client — and as a result, I was able to build a roster of consistent clients within the first six months of trying.

If you take anything away from this, let it be this:

I give you permission to do less. It is ok to pair down your work and focus on the three key things you need to do to actually land clients.

I hope this article helps you feel a little less overwhelmed and a bit more clear about your path forward.

Best of luck!