MedComms Networking is a global initiative that facilitates networking and dialogue amongst individuals working in and around the pharmaceutical industry and MedComms, focusing on specialist medical education, medical communications and medical publishing activities. Why not sign up to our weekly newsletter and please, help spread the word amongst all relevant others.
FREELANCE LIFE - ADVICE AND SUPPORT
Are you thinking of making the move to Freelance working? There's plenty of work around these days for experienced MedComms specialists. The technology and tools that are now available open up unprecedented opportunities to work independently, from wherever in the world you want to be based. The rewards can be significant but freelance life can be challenging and certainly doesn't suit everyone. The contributions listed below provide useful insights and tips, which we hope you'll find useful. If you make the move then please do join us - and we wish you good luck with your venture!
#MedComms Freelancing Barometer 2024, conducted 01-31 January 2024
A massive 550 responses! The results are fascinating and should be valuable for all freelancers, aspiring freelancers and anyone who commissions freelancers. And they provide plentiful food for thought and valuable insights, for everyone, into the state of #MedComms today and where we are heading. The full data set is freely accessible for you. It is worth taking time to browse the many free text comments.
In this webinar we invite experienced freelancers Eleanor Steele (The MedComms Mentor) and Vicky Sherwood (Biomed Badass) to answer questions around key topics of interest for MedComms freelancers everywhere.
* Who shouldn't go into MedComms freelancing?
* What can you do before you resign from an agency to get freelancing clients?
* How can you sustain/grow your business once you get started?
* What's the difference between working in-house and working as a freelancer?
And we answer questions from the audience.
This recording was made on 05 July 2023 as a MedComms Networking webinar.
WEBCAST:
The value of coaching, mentoring and peer support for MedComms freelancers
Crafting a sustainable freelance MedComms career can be challenging. As freelancers, we need to understand our individual requirements to design and implement a freelance business that will work from a personal and a professional perspective. In this webinar, Charlotte Rooney (A Half Managed Mind) and Eleanor Steele (MedComms Mentor) will demonstrate how support from a coach or mentor can help freelancers define these requirements and create a realistic plan to craft a business that will meet them. And we answer questions from the audience.
This recording was made on 05 July 2023 as a MedComms Networking webinar.
WEBCAST:
The value of networking and specialist communities for MedComms Freelancers
In this webinar we are joined by community leaders from across the globe. Lisa Baker (Freelancers in Pubs), Rebecca Tadokera (South African Medcomms Professionals Network) and Amanda Xiaoqing Mao (Asia Pacific MedComms Network) explain how their own networking groups came about and the activities they undertake. Together, we reflect on the benefits to be gained by freelancers who join such groups. And we answer questions from the audience.
This recording was made on 05 July 2023 as a MedComms Networking webinar.
WEBCAST:
EMWA's Freelance Medical Writers Business Survey 2023 report
The freelance medical writing landscape has evolved in recent years, with more market demand for competent medical writers who can work on a project basis. In January 2023, the European Medical Writers Association's (EMWA) Freelance Business Group launched the 7th EMWA Freelance Business Survey (FBS), with the aim of analysing current trends in freelancing. In this webinar, Satyen Shenoy (Describe Scientific Writing & Communications), reviews the results of that survey and compares them with previously unpublished data from the 6th EMWA FBS to report changing behaviours in freelancing from 2018 to 2023. And we answer questions from the audience.
This recording was made on 05 July 2023 as a MedComms Networking webinar.
WEBCAST:
How can freelancers find support? Eleanor Steele is the MedComms Mentor and she provides specialist training and mentoring for medical writers of all career stages. Here, Eleanor provides tips to support your journey as a freelancer.
Making a success of freelancing in MedComms
In this webinar our panellists are all specialist MedComms freelancers. We are joined by Julia Davies, Vicki Evans, Odel Soren and Kathryn White. We talk about how MedComms is an area that offers significant opportunity to 'go it alone', with plenty of variety in terms of the type of projects and therapeutic areas. However, working as a freelancer means running a business. It's not enough to simply be good as a Writer, Editor, Project Manager, Account Director and so on. You'll also be responsible for sales, marketing, IT support, training, finance and more. And these are particularly challenging times. So, what does it take to be a successful freelancer in MedComms? And we answer questions from the audience.
Recorded 12 April 2023 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
WEBCAST:
Take control of your freelance career Eleanor Steele is the MedComms Mentor and she provides specialist training and mentoring for medical writers of all career stages. Don't stay frustrated or overwhelmed, repeating all the bad habits you learnt in an agency now you're a freelancer. Use these simple MedComms Microtips to take control of your freelance career and build the life that's right for you!
Recorded 27 March 2023 by Eleanor Steele
WEBCAST:
MedComms Stories: Corinne Swainger, Freelance Medical Copywriter
These informal conversations with specialists working in and around MedComms provide useful insights into working life and the career opportunities on offer.
Recorded 10 March 2023. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
WEBCAST:
Succeeding as a freelance medical writer
In this webinar we're joined by Kathryn White, author of our careers guide, "Making it my own business: a guide to being a freelance writer in MedComms" along with Steph Carter who has contributed her personal profile story to the latest edition. We'll talk about how MedComms is an area that offers experienced medical writers the opportunity to 'go it alone', with plenty of variety in terms of the type of projects and therapeutic areas. However, working as a freelancer means running a business. It's not enough to simply be a good writer. You'll also be responsible for sales, marketing, IT support, training, finance and more. And these are particularly challenging times. So, what does it take to be a successful freelance medical writer? And we answer questions from the audience.
Recorded 13 April 2022 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
#MedComms Workbook IR35 Survey, conducted 1-8 November 2021
Off-payroll working (IR35) tax changes in the UK finally came into force from 6 April 2021. A year later than planned. Seven months on, we asked subscribers to the MedComms Workbook service about their experience so far. Participation was on an entirely anonymous basis and we collected responses from 91 individuals. This was not intended as a robust study but will hopefully provide a useful barometer of sentiment amongst our specialist community, and provide a valuable insight into current working practices. The full data set is freely accessible for you as indicated below. It is worth taking time to browse the many free text comments.
Being a freelance writer in MedComms: (some of) your questions answered
Steph Carter, freelance medical writer, took part in our recent webinar about life as a freelance medical writer. We only had 45 minutes and there were so many questions that it was impossible to get through all of them. Steph has taken the questions that were asked in the chat box and tried to answer them based on her own personal experience of her first 11 months of freelancing in the UK.
Making it my own business: a guide to being a freelance writer in MedComms
In this webinar we're joined by Kathryn White, author of our annual guide, "Making it my own business: a guide to being a freelance writer in MedComms". The updated edition has been published in mid-April 2021. Kathryn is joined on the panel by Steph Carter, Lucy Clements and Jennie Pollard, all freelance medical writers who contributed to the updated guide. We talk about how MedComms is an area that offers experienced medical writers the opportunity to 'go it alone', with plenty of variety in terms of the type of projects and therapeutic areas. However, working as a freelancer means running a business. It's not enough to simply be a good writer. You'll also be responsible for sales, marketing, IT support, training, finance and more. And these are particularly challenging times. So, how's it been, working as a freelancer this past year? And we answer questions from the audience.
Recorded 20 May 2020 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
WEBCAST:
Being a freelance writer in MedComms
In this webinar we're joined by Kathryn White, author of "Making it my own business: a guide to being a freelance writer in MedComms", published in April 2020, and also by freelance writer Hannah Bridges, who contributed to that guide. We talk about how MedComms is an area that offers experienced medical writers the opportunity to 'go it alone', with plenty of variety in terms of the type of projects and therapeutic areas. However, working as a freelancer means running a business. It's not enough to simply be a good writer. You'll also be responsible for sales, marketing, IT support, training, finance and more. And we answer questions from the audience.
Recorded 20 May 2020 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
WEBCAST:
Why do you want to be a #MedComms Freelancer?
"In these days of ultra-flexible employment packages, what exactly is the appeal of 'being a freelancer'?". I asked the #MedComms Workbook freelancers - and here is the response. Some fascinating food for thought in these interesting times as we await news in the UK of IR35 tax changes which are, surely, going to impact our working practices. What do you think? Do share.
Life as a MedComms Freelancer
In this webinar we're joined by some experienced MedComms freelancers who answer questions about their working life. Have you thought about freelancing? Does the freedom sound attractive? No commute. Sitting in your pyjamas with the cat/dog beside you, while you charge lots by the hour? None of those interminable company meetings. What's not to like? Or is it lonely and isolating? Do you spend more time chasing payments than doing the work? What happens when the computer crashes and there's no IT colleague to help? Or you fall ill? Emma Georgiou, Jane Mason and Sarah Smith share their experiences. And we answer questions from the audience. It should be of interest to anyone who is currently working as a freelancer or who is thinking about taking that step to "freedom".
Recorded 23 October 2019 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
WEBCAST:
Extreme freelancing: writing whilst sailing around the world
Sarah Smith is a freelance medical writer who lives on a yacht with her family and continues to work while sailing around the world. It's challenging - but entirely possible.
Recorded 4 July 2018 at a MedComms Networking event in Oxford. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
Freelancing in medcomms
Julia Walton, Director at healthcare communications recruiter, Media Contacts, weighs up the pros and cons of freelancing in medcomms, and gives tips on successful freelancing.
Recorded 2 August 2017 at a MedComms Networking event in Oxford. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
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