How to find work as a medical communications freelancer
Freelancing is not easy, and contrary to popular belief, it is not for amateurs. When freelancers are hired, they are expected to know what they are doing; in other words, be independent and have ample experience. Employers resort to freelancers because they do not want to take the burden of training their employees or because they do not have the time or resources for it.
Freelancing is not easy, and contrary to popular belief, it is not for amateurs. When freelancers are hired, they are expected to know what they are doing; in other words, be independent and have ample experience. Employers resort to freelancers because they do not want to take the burden of training their employees or because they do not have the time or resources for it.
There is plenty to achieve in freelancing as a medical communications professional. Freelance medical communications professionals can aid in the advancement of research and propagation of knowledge. Whether you are a part-time or full-time freelancer, you are a medical academician or a medical veteran, you can make it big by working on your terms. Freelancing can open doors for you that no specific employer can, and it is the way forward; you can read our article on this subject by clicking here.
Now that you are aware of the opportunities that await you and are ready to start working, we are here to show you the way.
CREATE YOUR PROFILE
The first step to establishing your presence in the online marketplace is to create a profile. Online profiles are popular with both jobseekers and employers. Today, they are as indispensable as a CV in the yesteryears. Employers are no longer interested in a piece of paper, which provides a one-way look at your academic and professional background. They want to see your portfolio, they want to know that you are tech-savvy, and that you have completed work to the satisfaction of your clients. They want to see your passion and attitude towards work, and a well-written profile can give insight into all of this.
No matter how good your profile is or how talented you are, if you are not in the right place, you can never join the big leagues. The platform on which you create your profile, therefore, largely determines your success in the freelance community.
There are many general online freelance job aggregators, but very few specialized ones. At MedTals, we showcase the top talent in the medical communications sector for our illustrious clients. The perks of signing up on exclusive platforms like MedTals is that you do not have to compromise on your charges. You can charge what you truly deserve and not worry about your peers undercutting you. Our goal is to connect top freelancers with the right clients.
The additional perks of finding your next project on MedTals is visibility. Since we only facilitate medical freelancing, your profile will not be buried under irrelevant profiles. Our charges are also much lower than industry standards and you can apply for offers without spending a penny. It all begins with you signing up. You can create your profile for free on MedTals by clicking here.
BE ACTIVE AND DON’T GIVE UP
Once your profile is verified and visible, you need to actively look for work and submit your proposal.
Do not use a standard cover letter or response to offers. Read the specific requirements of a potential client carefully, and send your quote along with a cover letter answering any queries that they may have raised. Make sure that you explain why you are the ideal candidate for the job. Don’t ramble; keep it concise. Speak about similar projects that you have done before and share previous samples of your work. Nothing works better at convincing clients to hire you than your samples.
If you do not get a response right away, don’t give up. It usually takes a few days before a client makes their decision or even reaches out for an interview. Keep applying to jobs that are relevant, and you will soon succeed. Once you land your first job, it gets a lot easier to get others.
Additional Tip!
Do not forget to update your profile. Make it a habit to edit and improve your profile periodically. Include any additional skills that you have recently acquired, clients that you have worked with offline, any awards or recognition that you have received and anything else that you think might push a potential client to hire you.
STAY RELEVANT, STAY AHEAD
Technological advancements are happening each day and trends are constantly evolving. If you do not wish to retire as outdated, it is high time that you educate yourself and stay up-to-date. The freelancing market is so competitive today that even if you are the best in your field, it may not be enough. For example, if you are a medical blog writer, you need to also be able to work on WordPress, Wix, Shopify, Squarespace, etc. Technology has become so intertwined with our daily routines and businesses, that neither can stay efficient without it.
Clients, especially in the freelancing market, are looking for holistic solutions. They do not want the hassle of hiring a writer first, and then another freelancer to upload the content that the writer produces. Besides, being able to do both allows you to charge more. It also gives you an edge over your peers. On the upside, as you develop diverse capabilities, you will remain relatively immune to uncertainties and fluctuations in the job market.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Freelancing is not about finding jobs, it is about finding people and collaborating with them by offering your expertise. You are not working for your client; you are working with them. Each client of yours can, and most likely will, bring in more clients. So, maintain a good rapport with them.
Always respond promptly to the client’s message. To this end, we suggest you sign in everyday to check for new messages even if you are in the middle of a project and the client has not scheduled any meeting with you or indicated that they wish to speak to you before the deadline. This will make sure that your relationship with the client is smooth and professional, and they will soon see you as their team member, instead of a one-off freelancer, which will foster repeat collaboration.
QUALITY – MAKE IT YOUR PRIORITY
Speaking of repeat collaboration, quality is of utmost importance. Clients want to engage successful freelancers whose work is impeccable. So, it is important to perform well in a job as much as striving to get one. Remember, unlike on your resume, when potential clients visit your profile, they will be able to view your experience and the feedback from your former clients.
Clients often go back to a freelancer if they are happy with their work. This, apart from getting you steady income from a single client, also helps you secure more opportunities through referrals.
To avoid misunderstanding, go over every detail about the project with your client and be sure that you are aligned on expectations before you take up a job. If you have a doubt, get it clarified. The only thing worse than not getting a job, is getting the job, and not being able to do it right.. Avoid disputes at all costs. Remember freelancing is a competitive market and most freelancers are experts in their field. New clients will not hire you unless you can establish that your work is exemplary and have stellar feedback.
NETWORKING
While there is no doubt that most often, one chooses to be a freelancer because one can work alone, you can never be on the top of your game, if you do not know what is going on in the market and if the people cannot get a hold of you. You are an entrepreneur, and you cannot do business without people.
Share the link to your online work profile on social media, especially LinkedIn. This way, even people who are not directly connected to you will be able to find you easily when they have a requirement.
Subscribe to programs and become a member of professional associations such as American Medical Writers Association or the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, which will enhance your reach in the market, help you build a reputation and find jobs.
PLAN AHEAD
You cannot apply to every job offer there is, nor can you hope to finish them all if they are awarded to you. Apply only to jobs that meet your criteria and require your skills.
Stay focused; it is not easy, especially when you do not have any strict routine to follow throughout the day, but you still need to meet deadlines. Plan your days and weeks ahead of time. Ensure that you have plenty of time to finish the work that is awarded to you and always have an hour or so to spare each day so that you can take up any urgent work that comes your way. Being available for urgent requirements helps you earn more, and clients will find you reliable.
These are just some tips to get you started. Over time, you will spend less time searching for jobs and more time actually working.
https://www.hrmanagementapp.com/5-benefits-hiring-freelancers/#:~:text=Perhaps%20one%20of%20the%20top,only%20whenever%20you%20need%20them.
https://infomeddnews.com/freelance-medical-researchers/
https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/freelance-work/the-pros-and-cons-of-freelance-work/1/
https://www.amwa.org/
https://www.abpi.org.uk/
Blogging from Your Published Site
Did you know that you can blog right from your published website? After you publish your site, go to your website’s URL and login with your Wix account. There you can write and edit posts, manage comments, pin posts and more! Just click on the 3 dot icon ( ⠇) to see all the things you can do.