Freelance medical writers play a pivotal role in medical communications, offering expertise, flexibility, and added value to the industry. However, as the field of medical communications evolves, freelance medical writers must continuously adapt to maximize their potential. Insights from recent research provide key strategies to help freelancers build a successful career in a dynamic landscape.
1. Leverage Underutilized Skills Freelance medical writers often possess a wealth of expertise beyond writing, including experience in team leadership, senior review, and scientific strategy, but many report that their skills are underutilized. Freelancers have an opportunity to actively showcase their broader skill sets to open doors to new projects.
2. Expand Client Relationships and Offerings Maintaining awareness of market changes and client needs can help freelancers to seize emerging opportunities. For example, writers who develop skills in visual communication and multimedia content are likely to meet growing demands for innovative and engaging healthcare communication formats. Moving from working solely with medical communications agencies to collaborating directly with pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies is another strategy that can lead to a wider range of projects and broader client base.
3. Build Expertise in Specialty Areas The growing importance of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and real-world evidence (RWE) in supporting value-based healthcare presents additional opportunities for freelance medical writers. Those specializing in these fields can benefit from building their business in an expanding area and play a crucial role in supporting evidence-based decision-making by clearly communicating complex data to diverse stakeholders.
4. Adapt to Industry Trends The 2025 #MedComms Freelancing Barometer highlights positive trends, including increased job satisfaction among freelancers. A cautious but growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), trends towards tailoring global materials for regional markets, and the importance of specialization all point to ways freelancers can adapt to evolving demands.
Results from the 2025 #MedComms Freelancing Barometer Survey
By leveraging their expertise, exploring new opportunities, and showcasing their unique value, freelance medical writers can position themselves for sustained success in a dynamic industry.
Author: Elizabeth Harvey, PhD, on behalf of the MedCommsTech Medical Writers Collective.
Disclosure: Microsoft Copilot was used to generate a first draft of this blog post, integrating insights from the four referenced reports.
