Hint #1: Start where you are
January 17, 2009 by Kathy Summers Health Writing
Filed under Write Health Articles for Magazines
MAGAZINE HEALTH WRITING BASIC 12 – part 1
No matter what your previous experience, you can use it to begin a new career in health writing for magazines, websites, books, and/or custom publications.
Do you have medical experience? Writing cred from a different specialty? Personal experience with a particular health issue? A connection with a prominent but hard to reach health, fitness, or nutrition expert? The inside scoop on an intriguing anecdote?
When I started my career as a health writer, I had no more to guide me than the seat of my own pants. I had no medical experience, no professional writing experience, no mentor, and no money. When I stopped listening to naysayers I knew what to do. I sat down and wrote my first three queries–ever. From those brief emails I got six article assignments for three national magazines. In about a year, I became a successful full-time freelance health writer.
What did I start with? Just a bit of writing cleverness. I knew I could craft clever titles and subheads. So I zeroed in on magazines that had short health news sections with catchy titles. I sent email queries to specific editors in a way that fit exactly with the style of specific magazine sections. (Just call the number on the magazine masthead and ask for the email address of the health or nutrition or fitness editor.)
The reason the responded? Editors and publishers could see how my ideas and the way I wrote them up in the emails would fit in their magazine. And they were willing to take a chance on me for these short sections because even if I messed up, they would have only a very small hole to fill. Once I had those briefs to start my portfolio of clips, I used them to get more assignments.
So where will you jump in? Tell me where you are right now and I’ll suggest ways you can use that to get your first gig as a freelance health writer.
Happy Health Writing,
Kathy Summers
[See the full list of 12 hints here: 12 Hints for Magazine Health Writers]
I would like to get started writing health articles for magazines. I have persnal experience with autoimmune issues, and am also a natural health consultant. Where do I start
Ms. Summers,
Great article! It’s really inspiring. I graduated medical school and decided I needed a break. I’m pretty clever and I’m a decent writer, but how to enter this arena has been elusive. I would love some guidance in the right direction…WHERE DO I START? thank you very much!
Hello Ms. Summers, I’m a Registeed Nurse specializing in cardiac care and geriatrics. I also bodybuild 5 days per week, lifting weights in the evenings and jog in the mornings. I would like to be a full-time Health Writer. Where do I start?
Hi there, I am a avid follower of everything health and fitness. My philosophy to staying motivated is, ‘im always happy but never content’. Over the years I’ve stayed true to this philosophy and with it have found a new sense of happiness and fulfillment. Being healthy is a way of life for me and its something i will pursue relentlessly for many years to come. I’m Always learning and educating myself on health and fitness issues, and in doing so, I’ve come to see that so many people take their health for granted,not realizing the power they possess in living with great health, free from illness and diseases. My goal now is to help people,especially those around me, help themselves through education. I hold a marketing degree but no journalism or writing qualification. I would like to know how i can write a book or publish articles for the public to take notice of me and furthermore learn to live healthier through my work. Kind regards