“Breakthroughs and Fresh Starts”: AMWA Midwest Chapter Webinar, April 1, 2026, Noon CDT
The Medical Writer as Entrepreneur
Even FTEs must be willing to think outside the cubicle with the advent of work-altering AI.
(Hint for dealing with the about-to-sleep dreads. List these items in your daily journal: in addition to a gratitude statement, what went wrong today, what went right, and the big task for tomorrow. Your mind will rest easier given this clarity)
This talk isn’t really about me. It’s how I can inspire you to be better at what you choose to take on. It’s all about the biggest breakthrough for me, which was discovering through the help of a prominent author understanding demand being greater than brand. it’s all about convincing a problem a client that what they really want is to play by the rules that you set up for playing this freelance game.
I volunteered to share what I could to help other members of AMWA with my research and experiences from the past year in elevating my medical writing business Heartland Narrative LLC. I draw mainly from the books I’ve read and the people I’ve engaged.
I was requested to answer these questions first
How did I change careers or transitioned into medical writing or editing? After residencies in Clinical Pathology and General Surgery, I felt I could achieve the best satisfaction.
(From here on, I changed the questions requested to present tense, reflecting the ongoing process of finding and prospering from new opportunities)
How do I pick up new skills? Short answer: be a lifelong learner, intensely curious about developing technology. A wonderful book called the E-myth explaining the skills needed to run an entrepreneurial business.
Whose doors are you knocking on? The subtle art of the cold email pitch. Developed with help from Lori De Milto. First task is finding the right person. You can build a list of warm and cold contacts for your networking strategy.
What surprises me? Finding out about what I didn’t know I didn’t know. Some intuitive beliefs are actually wrong when it applies to running a successful business.
What challenges do I encounter? Those who are rigid in their adherence to business as usual. Unapologetically Luddite.
How do I grow my network? Interacting with people I was interested in online. Posting comments, talking about the books I’m reading.
How do I find mentoring relationships? I’m always seeking good advice, but when I network I always try to provide value with good information.
What traits do you need for this job? Short answer: CURIOSITY. Seeking out the best books and commentators on being an entrepreneur. Facing your weaknesses. Mine is trying to figure out things on my own—the prototypical introvert, an INTP (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving) Myers-Briggs personality type.
Here are my areas of interest that I’m developing into opportunities, which I think will be useful to my medical writing colleagues (in no order of importance)
1. Addressing the emerging generative AI productivity tools. Medical writers, like other knowledge workers, are facing AI’s influence on practice norms. It’s estimated that this year $750 billion will be spent on AI capital expenditures by the hyperscalers. Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, has issued a $1.4 billion 100-year bond to support their projected $185 billion AI expenditures in this year. A Bloomberg commentator quipped that companies involved with AI make up 40% of the S&P, with an increasing number of retirement funds tied to the performance of Nvidia, with a market cap of $4.2 trillion.
My current read: Balancing this exuberance is the book “AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can't, and How to Tell the Difference,” by prominent academic researchers. They say “In contrast to generative AI, predictive AI often does not work at all.” I’ll provide a report on my HN8 blog when I finish.
AI Consultant: One opportunity for med writers is to produce AI Medical Practice Impact reports. I created on for AI prostate cancer diagnosis for pathologists, who will be spending less time hunched over a microscope, except when prompted to do a second look in flagged cases. Both tech companies and professional societies have a need for very specific strategies for the near future.
2. Marketing: Building DEMAND over BRAND. Book by Daniel Priestly. I received a strategy report from Lori De Milto (https://www.writerforrent.net/) that provided essential information for my business. Researching High-value Prospects. Expanding you domain knowledge. Online presence involves your website, LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Squarespace is a popular website creation/hosting platform. I found Victoria Weber’s tutorials most useful: https://youtu.be/3jGfzw2vxoU?si=39eW_aincDbgcNDW Another online opportunity is to co-host a podcast or a YouTube video. You can pick a topic you’re following, and find the right venues to share your curated knowledge. For me, I’m very much about AI healthcare issues, as well as AgeTech and technology advances in immunology treatments and diagnostics.
3. AgeTech and the Longevity Economy. The MIT AgeLab is leading the study of the evolving older adult market
4. Government Contracts. I’m completing my SAM registration.
5. Global Markets. When I saw the value of US dollar dropping with the administration’s blessing as a way of stimulating exports, I decided this would help me find business abroad.
6. CME. Alex Howson is a good resource, including her book “WriteCME.” MedComms: Last year I had a very good experience working with a medcomm who had a major pharmaceutical client…
6a. Copywriting & Promotional Work
7. Becoming proficient with video, and other online media for marketing and your online portfolio. You can use your smartphone to record video very easily, and editing is done simply with Canva. I’ve developed a routine where if I have an idea, I can shoot a YouTube Short (vertical format), process it in Canva and upload it there, or to X, BlueSky, even Instagram. Becoming prolific is my strategy for content marketing. Supplying video content: Another source of income is providing content services for the very successful YouTubers. I’ve sold ideas, along with scripts to YouTubers want to explore medical content.
8. Business logistics and tech tools. My daily routine includes working with Notion, a free organization tool that provides options for CRM. Contracts: MMMMMM. Tax preparation: I received a referral a local medical writer for an accounting firm, which did not respond to my email. I found a tax preparer who said that these firms are not interested in small businesses. Her name is Kim Perkins, and I’m very happy with her services: https://kimspersonaltaxservice.com/
9. Personal projects and legacy building. 3AJ, medical errors
10. Lifestyle/Work life/Healthspan. When I’m “in the zone” with my writing, it’s difficult to take a needed break. Same with exercise.
11. Collaboration and engagement. “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” is a Toby Keith song that he me reflect more about lifelong learning. Along with exercise, social interaction, both serious and casual, helps keep your human social being involved. There’s an app for that: IRL meetup craze is booming, or so I hear. Apps provide in-person events, mainly designed to replace dating apps (ugh!), now limited to singles. From reading the above, you can tell where my interests lie, and I would happy to discuss these either online or in person. Any help?
My Wish For Your Journey
That you find joy in your pursuit as a medical writer, and find it a fulfilling experience of discovery, challenge and satisfaction. May you wake up to each day energized with new ideas, and curious about meeting new people. This will pay forward to those you encounter, and they will truly benefit from the good spirit you provide. Smile with everything you do!
[insert selfie with Empathy t-shirt, holding a glass of green tea] Taking a deserved break with glass of afternoon green tea. 😍