Freelance medical writing combines two major benefits:
- A passion for medical writing
- The freedom to work on your own terms
For medical writers (MWs) seeking more control over their schedules and the types of projects they pursue, freelancing can be a game-changer.
As a freelance MW myself, I’ve experienced first-hand how this career path offers unparalleled flexibility. From scaling back work during school holidays to working a four-day week (leaving one day free for personal pursuits), and choosing projects that expand my knowledge in new therapeutic areas, freelancing has opened doors that traditional employment simply can’t.
The work still needs to be delivered for my clients, and at times things get busy (as with any medical writing role), but it’s the control over how much work I take on and the type of work that increases my flexibility compared with working as an employee.
But with greater flexibility comes increased responsibilities. Running a business is not without its risks and demands. The “feast or famine” nature of freelancing can be unsettling unless you have a strong professional network and/or a reliable marketing system in place. And the process of moving from employment to self-employment has taught me one key thing:
Sustaining freedom requires more than just effort – it requires a shift in perspective from being a writer to being a writer AND business owner.
This is where mindset comes in. To succeed as a freelance medical writer, you need to embrace a business-oriented approach.
Here are six essential elements to help you grow your business-owner mindset and along with it, your freelance medical writing career:
1. Commitment: Invest daily
Commitment is the key to owning a business. Dedicate at least 30 minutes each day to focus on your professional growth. This could involve improving/developing new skills or increasing and maintaining your network of potential clients.
Consistency will lead to success. These small daily efforts will build up and provide significant progress over time. Prioritise this time and ring fence it. This time should be a non-negotiable part of your day – your future self will thank you.
2. Responsibility: Own your success
Freelancers are responsible for all aspects of their business. You’re the owner, founder and CEO of your business. Every project, client relationship, administrative task, and marketing decision rests on your shoulders. Own it!
Whether you’re battling challenges or celebrating victories, every outcome is down to you. Not to your client, not to your accountant, not to the graphic designer you’re collaborating with: Difficult client? You’re not managing their expectations well enough. Mistake by your accountant? You failed to review their tax filing documents before approving etc.
As a business owner you have to foster ownership and accountability for your business. That means every aspect. This ownership builds a resilience that will help you improve and grow. Learn from your experiences!
3. Growth: Leverage other’s expertise
Time is a finite resource, and as your business grows it is crucial to leverage other people’s expertise to maximise efficiency.
This can be in a variety of forms; hiring an accountant to manage finances, a cleaner to keep your workspace tidy (or save your time on cleaning the house), or AI calendar tools for scheduling and tracking your projects.
For example, why spend two hours cleaning each week, when you can spend that time working on a project that pays you eight times as much as you can pay someone else to clean? It makes far better economic sense for your business to work on the medical writing project as oppose to the cleaning. Unless you love to clean of course!
Remember that although you’re a freelance but you don’t have to do everything yourself – collaborate and build a team that can help you succeed in the long-term.
4. Expertise: Become a student of your business
Stay curious and invest in your education. Attend workshops, and take online courses related to different therapeutic areas, upskilling, guideline updates and business practices.
This learning mindset is crucial in the fast-evolving world of biopharma and freelance medical writing. The more you learn, the better you will be equipped to meet your client’s needs and adapt to the project’s requirements.
And don’t neglect developing your commercial skills. Learn how to market your business and how to sell your services. You may be a technical expert, but as a business owner you’re also responsible for client acquisition (see point 2 – Responsibility).
5. Client-Centric: Don’t do good, do great
This is a key aspect of business ownership – your clients should be more than just satisfied. You should aim to create raving fans who will advocate for your work and business, driving more business your way. This organic growth is important in freelancing.
Understand your client’s needs and tailor your offerings to exceed those needs. Remember, don’t do just do good – DO GREAT!
6. Set Goals: Define your path
What do you want to achieve, and by when? These are important questions any business owner needs to ask themselves. Goal setting is crucial for staying focused and measuring progress.
Use SMART criteria – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These criteria will help you ensure your goals are actionable and clear. i.e. What do you want to be earning and by when? And what do you need to do in order to achieve it?
Don’t forget, that you can, and should, adjust these goals as necessary to keep your business aligned with your vision and values.
In Summary:
In the competitive world of freelance medical writing, cultivating the right mindset is essential for a successful business.
Running a successful freelance medical writing business requires a shift in mindset from writer to business owner and writer. Embracing both the content creation and operational responsibilities is necessary to run a freelance business.
Key principles for success include:
- Daily commitment to growth
- Taking full responsibility for all aspects of the business
- Leveraging external expertise to maximize efficiency
- Continuous learning
- A focus on exceeding client expectations
- And clear goal-setting
These approaches are essential for staying competitive, whilst provides a strategic path for long-term growth. By adopting these six core elements, freelance medical writers can achieve both professional fulfilment and business sustainability.
If you’re serious about breaking into or advancing your career in medical writing, join over 4,000 biopharma professionals and aspiring experts for regular updates that will boost your career and keep you ahead in the industry.