How to Become a Health Writer
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Are you interested in learning how to become a health content writer and joining a booming niche market? With 80% of global consumers planning to maintain or increase their spending in health and fitness, there’s a growing demand for content in the wellness sphere.
If you’re a writer who’s passionate about health and you’re eager to share that passion with your audience, then you’ve come to the right place! In this post, we’ll explore the fundamentals of health writing, including how Knowadays can help you stand out and be successful as a freelance writer. Keep reading to get started!
What Is Health and Wellness Writing?
Health and wellness writing involves creating content on popular health-related topics. A health and wellness writer might write about anything from nutrition and physical fitness to mental health, medical current events, and lifestyle tips.
Unlike more technical medical content writing, which is geared toward medical professionals (e.g., doctors, pharmacists, and nurses) and patients, health and wellness writing is intended for a general audience. Health and wellness writing can be in a variety of formats, including blog posts and articles, website content, ebooks, and social media content.
Here are a few examples of different types of health content writing:
- Blog posts and articles: Both of these are popular forms of health and wellness content. For example, consider this Men’s Health article on how to get motivated to work out and this blog post on choosing healthier options at restaurants.
- Social media content: Health and wellness content is often published through social media channels, such as Instagram and Facebook. See, for example, this piece on the health benefits of watermelon, posted on X (formerly Twitter).
- Website content: There are many websites dedicated to the health and wellness niche, such as Everyday Health (devoted to healthy living advice) and Healthline (focused on wellness and self-care).
- Ebooks: Ebooks in the health and wellness field can be on a variety of topics, including cooking, fitness, and mental wellness.
What Does a Health Writer Do?
As you can see from the examples above, the health and wellness niche covers a wide range of subjects, including exercise, preventive care, sleep hygiene, and general wellness. Conveying up-to-date information to the general public, health writers aim to make topics such as these accessible. One way the writers do this is by using plain English and avoiding technical jargon as much as possible. Essentially, the average reader should be able to apply the tips and advice in the content (e.g., a guide to meditation for beginners or the top five ways to reduce stress) to their own life relatively easily.
Because the genre is so broad, the day-to-day tasks of health writers can vary greatly. However, most writers have the following responsibilities in common, no matter their specific field:
- Researching and staying up-to-date with the latest health trends
- Writing, editing, and proofreading their content
- Interviewing experts and speaking with health-care professionals to gather accurate information
- Fact-checking content so the information is accurate and supported by credible sources
- Implementing SEO techniques, such as incorporating relevant keywords to improve the content’s visibility on search engines
How to Become a Freelance Health Writer
Though you don’t need a medical degree to become a health writer, you should be knowledgeable in your specific field. You should also be able to provide your own unique spin on a topic. It’s possible to become a freelance health writer with no prior experience, as long as you’re comfortable with conducting high-level research and thorough fact-checking. If you’re interested in starting a career as a freelance writer, you can do the following.
Build a Strong Portfolio
Create an online portfolio to share with potential new clients that showcases your writing skills and expertise. You don’t need to be particularly tech savvy to build a website or an online portfolio. There are many free website building tools available to help you get started. Include samples of different types of blog post formats, such as how-to posts, listicles, and product reviews. If you don’t have published work, consider writing sample pieces or volunteering to write content for a nonprofit organization.
Check out these real-life freelancer portfolio examples for inspiration:
Research Your Subject Area
A strong understanding of health and wellness topics is essential if you want to build your brand and position yourself as an expert. If you don’t have a background in the industry, consider taking a health class (in nutrition, for example). Or, take a writing course to enhance your knowledge. You can also read content from reputable health publications and follow health experts on social media to stay informed about the latest trends and research.
Network with Other Professionals
Networking with other health writers and industry professionals can open doors to job opportunities and collaborations. Fellow health writers can also offer valuable advice on navigating the freelance world – you may even find a freelance mentor! In addition, you can join health writing groups on social media, attend workshops (such as this one on public health writing), and participate in online forums to connect with others in the field.
Search for Health Writer Jobs
Search for freelance health writer jobs on job boards and in freelance marketplaces, such as Fiverr and Upwork. Tailor your applications and freelance writing resume to each particular job posting. Don’t forget to include any relevant certifications and/or a link to your portfolio.
Stay Up-To-Date with SEO Practices
Along with solid writing and research skills, a basic understanding of SEO is beneficial for freelance health writers. Although you don’t need to be an expert, it’s important to familiarize yourself with SEO best practices to ensure your content ranks well on search engines. The number one spot on Google gets 39.8% of clicks! Common SEO techniques include learning how to use relevant short-tail and long-tail keywords, optimizing headings, and creating meta descriptions.
Becoming A Freelance Writer
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a freelance health writer, check out our Becoming A Freelance Writer course. It teaches you everything you need to be successful as a freelance writer, including SEO techniques and how to build an eye-catching portfolio. Claim your two free lessons and get started learning today!
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