How to Nurture Lasting Client Relationships and Boost Your Bottom Line

This article is based on content presented by Katherine Molnar‑Kimber, PhD, Kimnar Group LLC, and Deborah Anderson, PhD, DGA Medical Communications, at the AMWA Medical Writing & Communication Conference.

For freelance writers and independent contractors, establishing long‑term client relationships has clear advantages. Working with long‑term clients reduces time spent on administrative tasks, such as marketing, acquiring resources, and learning new formats, which increases the time available for producing the deliverable. The stability provided by long‑term clients also improves peace of mind and is usually financially beneficial.

When and How to Subcontract Work as a Freelance Medical Writer

This article is based on content presented by Brian Bass, MWC, and Emma Hitt Nichols, PhD, ELS, at the AMWA Medical Writing & Communication Conference.

Brian Bass and Emma Nichols have over 24 years of combined experience in hiring and working with freelance medical writers. Their education session focused on outlining the major considerations for freelance medical writers who are thinking about bringing on subcontractors—providing advice and guidance on making this decision and supporting their transition.

10 Ways to Grow and Maintain Your Freelance Writing Business

This article is based on content presented by Laura J. Ninger, ELS, at the AMWA Medical Writing & Communication Conference.

Accounting for Freelancers: 5 Tips to Master Your Business Finances

Note: The tips here are meant to provide an overview of best practices regarding accounting needs for freelancers. For advice specific to your situation, seek counsel from authorized financial experts.

For freelance medical writers and editors, day‑to‑day responsibilities include managing a business in addition to producing quality content. But collecting receipts, preparing for quarterly taxes, and staying on top of business accounting can be a major source of stress.

If you are a freelance medical writer overwhelmed by accounting, these tips are for you.

Can We Do More To Measure Our Value?

True or false:

Well-trained medical communicators bring value to the teams with whom they work.

I hope you answered true because that’s the right answer.

The key adjective of course is well-trained.

How Should I Set My Freelance Medical Writing Rates?

This article is based on content presented by Eleanor Mayfield, ELS, at the AMWA Medical Writing & Communication Conference.

How to calculate freelance medical writing rates is a hotly debated topic among freelancers. Some are adamant about always charging a project fee; others swear by an hourly rate. Eleanor Mayfield led a discussion of the pros and cons of these common methods as well as strategies for implementing them that will benefit both freelancers and their clients. She stressed that no pricing method is perfect; the key is to determine which strategy is the best fit for each project.