If you are just getting started in medical writing and don’t have a portfolio, taking that step can boost your credibility and help you advance your career. Yet, the idea of building a medical writing portfolio can be overwhelming.
You may have questions like
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Which platform do I use?
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Which writing samples should I choose?
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What if I don’t have any published medical writing yet?
Good news! You don’t need a polished website or published work to get started. In fact, many successful medical writers began with mock samples, volunteer work, or repurposed academic content. This blog will walk you through what you need to build a professional, well-organized medical writing portfolio from scratch—or refine what you already have.
We’ll explore why portfolios matter, how to choose or create samples, where to showcase them, and how to keep your portfolio updated as your career grows.
Why a Medical Writing Portfolio Matters
A portfolio of samples showcases your skills and positions you as serious about your career as a medical writer. Clients and employers want proof you can deliver clear, accurate, and engaging content. A portfolio helps them visualize what you can do—making it easier to say “yes” to hiring you.
Choosing a Platform for Your Medical Writing Portfolio
You don’t need an expensive website to get started. Free or low-cost online platforms include Clippings.me, Copyfolio, or Google Sites. You don’t even have to use a platform. Creating a medical writing portfolio in a PDF format is a viable alternative.
If you want to level up, consider website builders like WordPress or Wix. Purchasing a domain name like “yourname.com” adds polish and helps you establish your professional brand.
How to Present a Strong Set of Writing Samples
Three to five solid medical writing samples are ideal when you are beginning your career as a medical writer. If you don’t have formal or published examples, suggestions from Rachel Pascal for creating samples for your medical writing portfolio include
- Mock pieces. Write on topics you care about, whether in the form of patient education articles, blog posts, or drug summaries. Be sure to label these as mock samples for transparency.
- Academic work. Adapt health-related research papers or presentations into plain language content or repurpose published samples, such as congress abstracts and scientific posters.
- Volunteer writing. Partner with local nonprofits or patient advocacy groups looking for help with communications.
- Self-publishing. Use platforms like LinkedIn, Medium, and Substack to publish your work and build visibility.
Tailoring Your Writing Portfolio to Your Audience
One of the most important—but often overlooked—elements of an effective medical writing portfolio is understanding your intended audience. Whether you're an in-house writer or freelance medical writer (or on the path to becoming one), knowing who you're trying to engage shapes the types of samples you include.
Medical Writers
If you're applying for in-house roles, your medical writing portfolio should reflect variety and adaptability within the scope of the positions you are seeking. Depending on the organization and type of position, hiring managers may want to see that you can communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences or communicate with healthcare providers or clients in the pharmaceutical industry.
Freelance Medical Writers
As a freelance medical writer, your audience is your client. Prospective clients want to know: Can you successfully write for their industry, adapting to their voice and deadlines? Organize your work by client type or topic, and include descriptions of your services, testimonials, and case studies to build trust.
Tips for Organizing Your Portfolio
Once you have selected samples, make them easy to browse. Group content by audience like patient‑facing or provider‑facing or by format, such as white papers or blog posts. Add some context for each sample
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What was the goal?
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Who was the audience?
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What role did you play?
Your portfolio can be just one digital page with a clean layout, brief introduction, and targeted samples. For a more complex site, use clear sections and headings to guide readers through your portfolio. You want busy reviewers to quickly see your value.
Keeping Your Medical Writing Portfolio Fresh
Your medical writing portfolio should evolve with your skills. Revisit it periodically to
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Replace older samples with newer, stronger work.
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Highlight niche areas or specialties you’ve developed, whether regulatory writing, health communication, or medical editing.
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Include recent testimonials or project outcomes.
Reflecting Your Voice and Value
Your portfolio isn’t just about your writing—it’s about you. Add a short intro that shares your background and your writing focus or interests. If you’re transitioning from another field like science or journalism, highlight transferable skills like research, data analysis, or accuracy.
Boosting Your Career With a Medical Writing Portfolio
A well-crafted medical writing portfolio is your calling card in a competitive industry. Whether you’re building from scratch or refreshing an existing portfolio, now is the time to create something that truly represents your value. Your investment will help you showcase your skills as a medical writer and attract the work you want most.
AMWA acknowledges the contributions of Matthew Rich, PhD for peer review in the development of this AMWA resource.
