Starting out as a freelance medical writer can feel overwhelming – especially if you don’t have a portfolio or previous clients to rely on. You might be asking yourself: “Where do I even find freelance medical writing jobs?”
It can feel like a catch-22: you need experience to get jobs, but you need jobs to gain experience. The truth is, knowing where to look and how to position yourself makes all the difference.
The good news? There are plenty of platforms, job boards and communities designed to help freelance medical writers find work – even if you’re starting from scratch.
In this guide, I’ll break down eight of the best freelance writing websites to help you land your first freelance medical writing jobs and start building your client base.
1. LinkedIn
- Why It Works: LinkedIn isn’t just for networking—it’s a goldmine for freelance medical writing opportunities. Many healthcare companies, agencies, and recruiters post freelance and contract roles directly on the platform. I found it’s also worth reaching contacts via DMs for jobs that may not be published (yet).
- Who to Connect With:
- Other Medical Writers – Connect with experienced freelance medical writers to exchange tips, find out about job openings. This could transform into referral opportunities in the future.
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Companies – Look for professionals in roles like Medical Communications Manager, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Clinical Trial Manager, and Scientific Publications Lead. These are the people likely to commission medical writing projects.
- Medical Communications Agencies – Search for Account Directors, Content Managers, and Medical Writers at med comms agencies. Agencies often outsource writing projects to freelancers and may be looking for writers to add to their roster.
- Recruiters Specialising in Medical Writing – Follow recruiters who regularly hire for medical and healthcare communication roles. Look for agencies that recruit for health comms, regulatory writing, and medical education.
- Healthcare and Healthtech Start-ups – Smaller companies often lack in-house medical writers and look for freelancers to handle white papers, brochures, or web content. Connect with Marketing Managers, CEOs, and Product Managers.
Top Tip: Use LinkedIn’s search function to find and follow companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and med device industries. Commenting on posts and engaging with content from target companies can help boost your visibility.
2. Medical Writers Associations Websites
- Why It Works: Professional associations like EMWA and AMWA are useful for medical writers seeking to grow their skills, network, and access job opportunities. These organisations offer specialised training, industry conferences, and exclusive job listings that often aren’t advertised publicly. They also provide valuable resources for continuing professional development through workshops, webinars, and certification programmes.
- Other Associations to Consider:
- BMJ (British Medical Journal) Careers – Lists medical writing roles and freelance opportunities within the UK healthcare sector.
- The Australasian Medical Writers Association (AMWA) – Supports medical writers in Australia and New Zealand, offering workshops and freelance job boards.
- The Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) – A useful resource for writers focusing on medtech and regulatory affairs.
- Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) – Ideal for writers interested in regulatory writing and compliance.
Top Tip: Attend conferences, webinars and networking events hosted by these organisations to connect with potential clients, medical communications agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Building relationships through these associations can lead to long-term freelance contracts, collaborations, and referrals. Many associations also offer mentorship schemes, which can be invaluable if you’re starting out in medical writing.
3. Upwork
- Why It Works: While I haven’t used it much myself, I know that many writers started their freelance writing portfolio from scratch on Upwork. Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms. The platform allows you to build a profile, apply for projects, and grow your reputation through client reviews. You’re also ensured to get paid as the client has to pay before the project gets started. It’s a great place to experiment with new types of projects and build your portfolio, but it’s important to note that many gigs on the platform are low paid, especially for beginners. If you’re looking to increase your income or land higher-paying medical writing jobs, platforms like LinkedIn can often lead to better-quality clients and more competitive rates.
- Types of jobs to search for:
- Health and Wellness Blog Writing
- Patient Education Materials
- Regulatory Writing
- Medical Copywriting
- Scientific Writing
- Medical E-learning Content
Top Tip: Apply to the most recent jobs instead of the “most relevant.” Competition on Upwork is high, and being one of the first applicants increases your chances of being shortlisted.
4. YunoJuno
- Why It Works: YunoJuno is a UK-based freelance platform that connects experienced freelancers with clients, including those in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical communications sectors. It’s known for offering well-paid, contract-based roles with reputable companies. The website also offers insightful freelance rates reports.
Top Tip: YunoJuno tends to attract more experienced freelancers, so having a polished portfolio and some previous work in the medical or healthcare writing field will help you stand out.
5. Slack Groups
Slack is a messaging platform for team collaboration, but it’s also used to create online communities or “channels” where you can connect, network and share ideas. It’s like a mix of a forum and a chatroom. Some of my clients use this as their preferred channel to communicate, instead of emails.
- Why It Works: These groups often post freelance job leads and offer a space to exchange advice with peers. Actively engaging in discussions and contributing to conversations can help you build connections and hear about freelance opportunities first.
- Examples:
- Top of the Funnel – A Slack community focused on content marketing and writing, with opportunities in health, medical, and wellness sectors.
- The Writing Cooperative – A community for writers across various niches, including healthcare and medical writing. Regularly features freelance opportunities and discussions on improving craft and business strategies.
- The Writer Hangout – A space where freelance writers to connect, share leads, and discuss career development.
- Superpath – Superpath is focused on content marketing. It has a job board and newsletter, but it also hosts a Slack group. It’s a content marketing-focused community where healthcare and medical writing jobs are frequently shared.
6. Facebook Groups
- Why It Works: Medical writing-specific groups often have job postings, networking opportunities, and calls for freelancers from agencies and healthcare companies.
- Examples of groups you can join:
- No.1 Freelance Media Women
- Medical & Healthcare Content Writers
- Freelance Writers
- Female Freelance Writers
7. Newsletters and Job Boards
- Why It Works: Subscribing to newsletters or joining job boards specific to the healthcare or medical writing field is an excellent way to stay updated on freelance opportunities. These platforms often feature remote and contract roles where they accept freelancers.
- Examples:
- Freelance Framework – A daily newsletter by Chris Bibey featuring freelance writing job opportunities across various industries, including healthcare and medical writing.
- My newsletter – I regularly post tips on how to land jobs and I share my experience as a freelance medical writer in my newsletter.
- Superpath – A community-driven platform and newsletter that shares content marketing jobs, including freelance roles in the health and wellness sectors.
- Qwoted – Primarily a journalist resource to find experts, Qwoted also lists freelance writing gigs for blogs, whitepapers, and healthcare content creation. Great for finding projects directly from businesses.
- Indeed and other generic job boards – Platforms like Indeed regularly post freelance and contract medical writing roles. Use keywords like “freelance medical writer,” “remote medical writing,” or “healthcare content writer” to narrow down your search.
8. Company Websites (Direct Applications)
- Why It Works: Many pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare companies list freelance and contract writing opportunities directly on their careers pages. Although you might prefer to build relationships via LinkedIn to increase your chances, it’s also possible to apply directly.
Top Tip: Regularly check the careers pages of companies such as Novartis, Takeda, AstraZeneca, and medical communications agencies. Set up job alerts where possible to stay informed about new freelance openings.
How to Maximise Your Chances of Success on These Platforms
1. Polish Your Profile
Your profile is often the first impression clients get, so make it count. Whether you’re on LinkedIn or Upwork, highlight your health or science background clearly. Use keywords like “medical writer,” “health content writer,” or “regulatory writer” to help clients find you. When I first set up my LinkedIn profile, I made sure to showcase my agency experience and emphasised my knowledge of healthcare topics.
2. Engage with the Community
Don’t just sit back and scroll—get involved. Posting on LinkedIn, commenting in Facebook groups, or contributing to discussions in Slack communities can lead to job leads. I’ve landed projects simply by sharing insights or offering advice in professional groups. It’s a great way to stay visible and position yourself as someone who knows their stuff.
3. Start Small and Build
When I first went freelance, I took on smaller projects like health blogs and patient leaflets to build testimonials and case studies. These smaller wins helped me refine my skills, boost my confidence, and grow my portfolio. Don’t overlook these opportunities—they often lead to larger, more complex projects as your reputation grows.
Top Tip: Quality matters more than quantity. Focus on delivering excellent work for a few clients rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Ready to Land Your First Freelance Medical Writing Job? Here’s Where to Start
Breaking into freelance medical writing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is knowing where to look. The best freelance writing platforms include LinkedIn, Upwork, YunoJuno, and medical writing associations (such as EMWA) to help you find opportunities and start building your client base – even if you’re just starting out.
If you’re unsure how to start building your portfolio from scratch, take a look at my guide on how to build a medical writing portfolio, even if you don’t have much experience yet.
If you’d like more tailored advice, feel free to get in touch – I’d be happy to recommend the best platforms or review your portfolio as you develop it.
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