Hint #1: Start where you are
January 17, 2009 by Health Writer
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]
Can I pitch more than one idea in a query letter, or should I send two letters?
I’m so glad to hear my articles are helping people get their health writing published. Thanks for commenting, best wishes, and happy health writing.
Kathy
Thank you for this site and such wonderful advice. I am a physical therapist/pilates instructor who has always been passionate about writing. Over the last year or two I have been trying to get started writing for health magazines. I have a list of rejections, most stating the lack of experience or clips. I was researching information on freelance writing and your blog came up in my search. I read some of the tips and am happy to report I have sold my first article to IDEA Pilates Today. I’m very excited about this opportunity. So thank you for paying forward!
Hi Ms. Summmers,
Thank you for the great article. I recently received my Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Pyshcology. My area of focus was wellness coaching, where I learned how to help individuals uncover their personal motivational strategies, and create balance and wellness in their lives – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I believe writing for health magazines would be the perfect forum to use my skills. I’m also a certified Pilates Instructor.
Thank you in advance.
Hi. Im a family physician. I have always wanted to become a writer in a health
magazine. I do not have any experience in writing yet, but willing to give it a try. I have always thought i can do such in line with my career. Thank you very much. Hope i can have a break.
Thank you for the tips! I love to write, I love to help people in the fitness world, but I just never know what to do to get started. I have lots of books, and saved sites on the topic. I’ve started a few blogs as well this year, but something keeps me from actually getting into freelance to earn a living.
It was nice to read your information on your first queries…I’d love to know what the topics were.
I am an occupational therapist and avid writer. After years of compartmentalizing my “career” and my “hobby”, I finally decided to go full catastrophe and allow them to collide. I found that I had, indeed, built up a nice, little writing portfolio since I always jumped at any project that involved putting ideas to words. I now combine two of my loves from my pretty, little, yellow house (another of my loves)and work my schedule around my family (yet another love). I’m just getting started and your website inspired me. Thanks!
Ms Summers, you have an excellent website that I found through a search on facebook. This first tip is really great!! I’ve always had an interest in health, fitness and nutrition but don’t have any medical credentials in my background. I do have a passion for the industry though, I subscribe to Runner’s World magazine, I love running particularly long distance running. I recently started a blog with my friend called Running Caffeinated about running and coffee, two of our passions! I also contribute to another blog about the Financial District in New York so I’m gaining blog writing experience. In addition to this I have a background in event management and marketing so I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how I could parlay this experience into more opportunities writing about health and fitness. Any suggestions you have would be most appreciated. Thanks!!
Hi Kathy-
I am an RN, BSN and have been writing short articles published on Livestrong.com. I work part-time as a nurse, but am wanting a career change. I love to write and would like to stay in the medical field. Your website has inspired me. I will continue “studying” it and would love any feedback you can give me regarding freelance writing. Thanks!
Thank you so much for the information. I am just starting to look into freelance writing. I, like you, have no real experience other than my own personal interest in health and fitness. Right now, I subscribe to 3 health magazines – would you suggest doing my homework and writing an article to send to them as I am familiar with their style or how should I proceed? At this point the money is not as important as gaining new opportunities and experience.
Thank you so much for your tips – Happy New Year!
Hi Ms. Summers. I enjoyed your article. I have a degree as a Dietetic Technician, and am registered with the ADA. I also have a background in fitness. I have also been reading about health and fitness since I was a teenager, and am really into natural food. I got laid off a few months ago, and have been writing for Examiner.com for about a month as the Milwaukee Nutrition Examiner. I discovered that I love writing about nutrition and sharing my information with people who may be interested. I wrote a few articles for a raw food website, and will be writing for a weight loss website. I also plan on writing a book one day. If you could give me any tips on how to become a full time writer where I am making enough money to support myself. I enjoy doing the freelance writing I am doing now, but I haven’t even made $10 yet. Thanks in advance.
Hello Ms. Summers…Thank you for the information! I’ve been wanting to become involved in health writing for quite some time. I’m a registered nurse with the majority of my experience in home health care and community health nursing. I’m a nurse educator and I have a master’s degree in health care and nursing administration. I’m also certified as a Health and Fitness Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine, which allows me to do personal training on the side for both healthy individuals and those with controlled medical conditions. I’m a health and fitness nut myself and I work out 6 days a week. So, how do you think I can use my background to my advantage in health writing?
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
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?
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!
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