The 5 Essential Steps to Pitching as a Healthcare or Medical Writer
Pitching, especially as a healthcare or medical writer, can be incredibly difficult to master. To truly master this process you need to break it down into its simplest form. In doing so, you’ll be able to see how the writing process works and how you should approach any new client or project that comes your way. Let’s take a look at the 5 essential steps to pitching as a healthcare or medical writer.
Step 1: Choose your publication wisely
You want to make sure you’re pitching to the right publication, with the right audience, and that your story is a good fit. Look at the writer’s guidelines, read some of the articles, and get a feel for what they publish. If you can't find the information online, call the editor's office. Step 2: Submit an effective pitch: Get straight to the point in your pitch email - it should have no more than four sentences. Include who, what, when, where (as best as possible), why, and how. Think about which of these aspects might be most interesting to editors - think about their interests and passions too. Remember that you need only submit one pitch per topic/story idea; it's not necessary to submit many different variations on the same story idea if it doesn't vary significantly from one another in scope or angle. If this sounds like a lot of work just for one pitch email... well yeah! It is! But don't worry, we've got plenty of resources to help you out. First up are templates. We've created a few example pitches that include all the crucial details listed above so all you have to do is fill in the blanks. Here are two examples: 1) My ____ has _____. 2) I'm writing about ____ because ______. After choosing your template and filling in the blanks, check it over for any grammatical errors before hitting send. A quick tip: use spellcheck before sending your pitch off into cyberspace. Once you're done following these steps, take a deep breath and wait for responses. Some publications will tell you no without explanation while others will provide feedback on your pitch including whether they liked it or not, what didn't work for them, and any other suggestions for improvements. Don't let rejection stop you! If a publication does reject your story but gives feedback about ways to improve it, take the time to edit accordingly and resubmit later. Your persistence may pay off big time! Successful stories often go through multiple rounds of revisions before finally being accepted. One great way to get started is by finding existing stories similar to yours, reading them carefully, and comparing your own story. What are the similarities? What was missing from those stories? Is there anything else you could add that would strengthen your submission? Next step: complete a full editing round of your draft. Then take advantage of our professional editing services and proofread once more before submitting again! Finally, review the story for errors and oversights, and then you'll be ready to submit your pitch. The key to a successful pitch is doing your research and understanding the publication. Keep in mind that it's also important to know what types of articles are currently in the works or forthcoming. When you are researching, remember to look for story ideas or angles you haven't already covered. As a last resort, if you still cannot find any suitable story ideas, come back to the basics: ask yourself What am I passionate about? and see what kind of story idea pops up! What are you waiting for? Let's get going! Fill in the blanks below to create your pitch. Title: _______has ___________. Where you place the title of your article is up to you, depending on what type of article it is. For example, if you are writing a personal story, it's usually placed right before the first sentence. If you are pitching a feature article or interview-style story, it's usually placed before the first paragraph or right after Sincerely. I’m writing about ____ because ____. What is the essential process for healthcare and medical writers? Now that you have an idea of what to include in your pitch email, here are a few tips for making it really stand out: Make it personal! Make a list of all your accomplishments - people care about accomplishments!
Step 2: Write to their needs
Before you can write a word of your pitch, you need to know what the publication or organization is looking for. The best way to do this is by reading their submission guidelines, if they have any. If not, take a look at their website and recent articles to get a feel for their style and the topics they typically cover. Then, tailor your pitch to their needs. In addition to following their submission guidelines, keep in mind that some publications have a specific focus (general medical news vs. health-related technology), publish less frequently (a monthly magazine vs. an online daily news blog), and are focused on one type of content (news reporting vs. opinion pieces). For example, publications that are focused on general medical news might be interested in hard-hitting news stories while those that focus on health-related technology might be more interested in stories about new research breakthroughs. Knowing this information will help you determine which pitches would make sense for each type of publication.
In addition to focusing on their needs, it's important to consider how much time they may have before publishing your piece so that you don't send them something too soon or too late. Some magazines receive thousands of submissions per month and only accept a small percentage. You don't want your valuable work to sit around waiting for months only to be rejected due to timing issues! It's also helpful to remember that deadlines aren't always firm. Some magazines like Sports Illustrated and National Geographic are known for accepting pieces up until the day they go to print. So, while you should follow deadlines set by individual organizations, be prepared to move quickly when submitting.
Finally, it helps to know who the editor is - since editors often have different interests and preferences - and whether there is a particular person who handles their social media accounts or design layout. A personal connection with someone at the publication could give you an edge over other writers submitting your story idea! Once you've completed steps 1-5, reach out to someone on the editorial team at the publication. Introduce yourself and mention your background, where you heard about their company/publication, why you're pitching them specifically, and provide links to previous work. When making contact via email, find out if there is a certain department that deals with submissions or has an open call for freelance writers; once again tailor your message accordingly. Personalizing your email as much as possible goes a long way towards increasing its chances of being read! After reaching out via email or phone call (depending on preference), follow up within 48 hours just in case they didn't respond right away. Thank them for their time and offer to answer any questions they may have. They may ask you to submit a writing sample, but depending on the length of your article or project, you may be able to submit your whole draft after a conversation. Asking for feedback is crucial because it provides insights into the publication's audience, style, and strengths. If they reject your article after reviewing it, thank them for their feedback and use that knowledge to try another approach next time. If they are receptive to your article, be sure to express gratitude and excitement! If you have any questions, now is the time to ask. If they request edits or changes, revise your article as requested and then email it back to them. Remember that there may be a time lag between sending in an edited version of your article and hearing back from the publication. To stay on top of your submission process, be sure to check their website periodically for updates. Most publications list their contact information at the bottom of every page on their site (or at least their submission guidelines page) so that you can easily get in touch with them if necessary.
Step 3: Showcase your writing sample(s)
If you want to be taken seriously as a healthcare or medical writer, you need to have strong writing samples to show potential clients. The best way to showcase your skills is to have a portfolio of your previous work. If you don't have any published articles, don't worry - you can still use blog posts, whitepapers, or even research papers you've written for school. Whatever you do, make sure your writing is error-free and engaging. And if you're using a blog post, don't forget to include links to the original piece so that readers can read it in its entirety. You'll also want to upload your cover letter (explained below) into the same document. A good cover letter should contain the following information:
What you specialize in (medical writing, copywriting, technical editing, etc.)
Your qualifications for those specialties
Why you think the client needs someone with your expertise
What specific services you would provide them with on this project.
Step 4: Know the scope of your subject matter expertise
As a healthcare or medical writer, it's essential that you have a firm understanding of the scope of your subject matter expertise. This means knowing what you're writing about inside and out, and being able to communicate that knowledge clearly to potential clients. It also means having a network of experts you can rely on for information and feedback. Writing is all about communication, so don't be afraid to reach out! The sooner you establish yourself as an expert in your field, the more successful you'll be. The next steps are crucial in establishing credibility and visibility. The next steps are crucial in establishing credibility and visibility: Step 5: Build your personal brand with consistency: You may know this already but it's worth repeating-if you want to build a career in any field, consistent branding is key. What you wear, where you work, how much time you spend posting on social media-these things all contribute to how people perceive your brand. So think long and hard about these choices before making them, because they will carry weight in your business dealings. Step 6: Focus on developing a niche skill set: And while we're talking branding...one of the best ways to create a thriving business is by honing a specific skill set within your industry. If you specialize in one area, then other opportunities will present themselves naturally over time. One great example is freelance writing--the more writers there are who share their services, the less opportunity there is for anyone to make money. The same principle applies across industries--by becoming an expert in one area, you open up new doors of opportunity without even trying. That’s not to say that diversification doesn’t have its benefits; I just believe strongly in specialization. However, if you feel like a little bit of everything suits your goals better, then do that too! Just remember to keep revisiting those passions as they evolve over time. Step 7: Connect with relevant networks and groups: Finally, building connections is vital to success in any field. Make sure you're constantly connecting with others who could serve as valuable sources of support (professional contacts) or inspiration (collaborators). These connections can offer mentorship, advice and even collaborative opportunities. When making connections always take into account the types of relationships that would be mutually beneficial for both parties involved; this will ensure greater satisfaction for everyone involved.
Asking questions to solicit feedback from someone isn't considered good networking etiquette? Wait, what? Let me explain. One of the best ways to connect with a fellow colleague is to ask them a question, and you get bonus points if that question is related to the topic at hand. In addition, showing your vulnerability in a conversation can make you appear humble and approachable. Don't forget to listen and thank the person you spoke with afterwards! Networking etiquette is important, but you should never shy away from doing something just because it doesn't fit some outdated definition of polite. Polite has come a long way since the 18th century, my friend. Social norms are changing all the time, and you shouldn't let them hold you back. The main point is to be kind and gracious with the people around you, which is a timeless virtue.
Let's talk about your next steps: Step 5: Build your personal brand with consistency: If you want to be taken seriously in this business, it's crucial that you have a clear sense of what your personal brand is. Building on our discussion of branding in step five, here are a few ways to enhance your image as a professional: Spend time every day updating your LinkedIn profile and Twitter feed with thoughtful content that will speak to your professional interests. Keep an eye out for opportunities to blog, write guest posts, or interview experts who are relevant to your field. Be sure to use appropriate hashtags and share engaging photos when possible. These steps may seem trivial at first glance, but they'll help solidify your reputation as a credible authority in your field of interest. Use these strategies to build a polished website or work portfolio. And remember, always carry business cards so that you're prepared for any opportunity to network with potential colleagues or clients.
Let's take a look at your final piece: What is the Essential Pitching Process for Healthcare or Medical Writers
Step 5: Perfect your pitch with this checklist
1. Make sure you have a great hook.
2. Keep it simple and clear.
3. Know your audience and what they want to hear.
4. Tell a story that engages your listener.
5. Be prepared with great visuals, if applicable.
6. Practice, practice, practice!
7. And finally, don't forget the follow-up! Always send a thank-you note to anyone who has been involved in the process of reviewing your pitch. Remember, you never know when you'll need them again! This is how my latest venture into healthcare public relations happened. I received an email from an advertising agency asking me for more information about myself, my company and some samples of work. He had seen a post I wrote on LinkedIn about PR insights for pharma marketers which led him to check out my website which contained other posts like this one - 5 Deadly Mistakes Doctors & Patients Can Avoid.
I sent him everything he requested, then called him back to discuss it further. A few days later he called me back to say they loved the idea so much they wanted me on board as their healthcare consultant, starting January 2019! So there you have it, how one introductory blog post lead to a dream job opportunity!
I'm looking forward to sharing more tips on pitching and landing clients in future posts. In the meantime, here are two of my favorite books on effective pitching:
1) Getting Past No by William Ury
2) Creative Confidence by Tom Kelle.
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