November 8, 2008   |  Vol. 1 No. 7     Published by Biotech Ink, LLC, and Word Angel Document Design Solutions
Dear ,
 
Now that the US presidential election is history, I'm starting to hear from recruiters again. I spoke with several this week, and apparently some companies are ready to commit and push forward with their clinical study reports, protocols, and regulatory submissions to various agencies. Hopefully other types of medical writing opportunities will also begin open up very soon.
 
Many contract medical writers enjoy being independent, but don't like marketing their services. Yet marketing is a necessary and intrinsic part of the independent writer's job, like it or not. Because many writers and editors struggle with marketing, this week's Insider has a couple of articles with general marketing tips. We hope you can apply these useful ideas to your career, and that they'll help drive new clients your way.
 
Enjoy this week's Biotech Ink Insider, and please let us hear from you if you have questions or comments about our content. 
  
Warm regards,

Susan

Susan E Caldwell, PhD
Managing Editor, Biotech Ink Insider, and
Medical Writer Consultant and President
Biotech Ink, LLC
Tel: 650-286-9300
Fax: 650-286-9301
Email: caldwell@biotechink.com
Web: www.biotechink.com and www.biotechinkinsider.com
Inside the Insider
Seven Tips for Looking for Work Online
Is This A Bad Time To Market?
Open Medical Writing Jobs
Senior Mgr, Medical Writing
Medical Writer; Stamford, CT
Medical Writer; Clinton, NJ
Article Archive 
 
 

Seven Tips for Looking for Work Online
by Cynthia Haggard

You are new to freelance writing and you don't have much money to spend. You've heard the Internet is brimful of interesting jobs, so you start surfing.

You find an overwhelming number of sites targeted at freelancers who are looking for work.  Typically, the sites offer several levels of services.  For a minimal cost, they allow you to look through jobs that are more than two weeks old.  For significantly more money, they offer a "professional" level, where you get to see new jobs as they come in.  Then there are the "business" or "business deluxe" levels that claim to provide extra services for a fee.

You are overwhelmed with information.  Where should you put your money?  Which sites can you trust? Here are seven tips that might help.

 

Try to get as much stuff as you can for free.

Some sites will let you download e-books, tip sheets or job reports for free for a trial period.  Pay attention to how long that trial period is and time it so that you can do some serious downloading. It sounds obvious, but don't end up paying for more than you need to.

Company A cost $29.95 per month, which was discounted to $2.95 for the first trial week.  The site offered an e-book, a list of freelance web-sites, and free job reports.  When I tried to sign up for the free job reports, I was never able to get this service. I was forced to go to the web site and wade through all the jobs they had listed. Very time consuming and frustrating.  

By this time, my one-week trial period had expired and I was paying $29.95/month for Company A's services. This seemed a lot for a little, so I cancelled.

 

Do the math.

Always convert the rate they give you, so you can see how much you are being paid by the word or by the hour for easy comparison.

Company B allowed me to post my profile and résumé online and provided me with organizational tools for managing projects.  I signed on at the basic membership level for free, but the basic membership was so restrictive it was useless.  So I upgraded my membership to the Professional level at the cost of $74.95 per quarter. After I upgraded, the jobs started to flow in.

The problem?  I was swamped.  As I scrolled through, I noticed one job that wanted you to do 40 reports for $10 per report. It didn't sound too bad; I would be making $400. However, when I did the math - 250 words per page at a penny a word for 4 pages equals $10 - that job translated into less than a penny a word. How many reports do you know that are four pages long? They're usually much more.

Facing a daily deluge of useless jobs, I discontinued my subscription after six weeks.

 

Join e-lists to meet people and get jobs.

Many professional organizations have electronic discussion lists of like-minded people looking for jobs that are free.  Rather than paying expensive fees, join one of these lists, lurk for a couple of weeks to check it out, and then make a decision about staying or quitting. 

Remember, the point of these lists is to get you in touch with good jobs.  If you're being subjected to lots of gossip that fills up your email inbox and your time without generating paying projects, then you should quit.

 

Never fall for requests for extra money.

Keep records of how much you spent and how long the subscription lasts and put it in an easy-to-use format, such as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or a table in Word that you can keep in a handy place like your desktop or your Documents folder.

Company C cost $25 per quarter.  The site worked by soliciting bids on projects from its freelance members. You had to be able to estimate how much time it was going to take you to do the project.  (This is difficult to do if you are starting out and learning your market.) 

About a month after I'd joined, I was in the middle of bidding on a job when I received a request to bill my credit card for $75 to "automatically continue my service".  I checked my records and confirmed that I was up-to-date with my dues.  So I stopped the bid cold and wrote an email to Company C asking them about this.  I got no response.  But at least I had not spent any extra money.  Needless to say, I stopped my subscription.

 

Always check out the website before you put money down.

Check the name of the website on Google.  Has it been endorsed by the Wall Street Journal? Or Fortune magazine?  Who is the founder? Has this person worked for a well-known organization in your field?  How long has it been around?  What is its mission? 

 

Stop surfing; start networking to get well-paying jobs.

Meeting people can be the most valuable thing you can do. Go to networking events held by your professional associations.  I found my first client by networking at a local American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) event.  I found my second client when a medical writing colleague gave me a job she did not want. 

By going to the annual AMWA conference and talking to people on the exhibition floor, I learned there was a great need for medical writers who prepare documents for the FDA.  Further investigation revealed that it paid well, so I decided to make that my niche.

 

Make it your business to find out what the going rate is.

Many professional organizations provide salary surveys.  Before you join, ask if the organization provides this service to its members.  Knowing the rate for your kind of work is invaluable in deciding whether you want to take on a job. 

Remember that spending time doing badly paid work costs you, not only in the actual time you spent doing the work, but because you were prevented from seeking out a better-paid opportunity.  Knowing the rate will give you the confidence to ask for decent pay.

Remember also that under-charging hurts everyone.  Your expertise and time should be valued and paid for accordingly.  Giving time and expertise to clients effectively takes food off the table for other hard-working professionals.  Making a living doing freelance writing is hard enough as it is; so don't make it more difficult! Never work under your rate.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Cynthia Haggard photoCynthia Haggard, PhD, is a science writer who specializes in newsletters, writing for the public, and regulatory writing. She holds a PhD in experimental psychology and has 20 years of experience in scientific research and writing. She has worked both in academic and corporate environments. She has published papers in peer-reviewed journals and written pieces for newspapers, magazines, and web sites. She has a background in neuroscience, perception, and motor control. Recently she created and delivered a 3-hour workshop on Motor Control and the Musculoskeletal System for the American Medical Writers Association.  In her other life, she writes novels and poetry.

 

You can view Cynthia's blog at clarifying.wordpress.com. Cynthia's website is www.clarifyingconcepts.com, and she can be reached at cynthia@clarifyingconcepts.com.

Is This a Bad Time to Market?
by C.J. Hayden, MCC

Author, Get Clients Now! (tm) & Get Hired Now (tm)
Wings for Business LLC, San Francisco
, CA
 

Economic indicators are predicting a recession. Consumer and business spending is down; unemployment is up. The holiday season is almost upon us, traditionally a slow time for independent professionals. It's natural to wonder whether perhaps this is a bad time to be marketing your business.

Since I've been self-employed for almost two decades now, I've seen several economic cycles -- and many holiday seasons -- come and go. What I notice about these "down" periods is that people who frequently struggle to get clients typically think these are bad times to market. On the other hand, people who have been consistently successful at landing clients seem to believe that there is never a bad time to market. Personally, I'd vote to follow the lead of those who are succeeding.

Professionals who have built successful long-term businesses have learned that continuing to market pays off in both the best of times and the worst of times. But you may not be able to produce new results by marketing in the same old way. Here are six suggestions for how to keep your marketing up when the overall business climate is down.

1. Turn up the volume. When people are distracted by bad news, economic concerns, or holiday plans, you may need to communicate more often or more visibly. Where an email might have done the job before, now you may need to pick up the phone or send a postcard. Instead of just one follow-up call, you may need to make two or three. If your business is slowing down, make use of the extra time you have available to ramp up all your marketing efforts.

2. Become a necessity. When clients are cutting back on discretionary spending, they need to perceive your services as essential. Look for ways to "dollarize" the value of your services. How can you help your clients save money, cut expenses, or work more efficiently? Will your services help them gain more customers, increase their income, or experience less stress in tough times? Tell your prospects exactly why they need you, and why they shouldn't wait to get started.

3. Make use of your existing network. It's always easier to get your foot in the door when someone is holding it open. In a slow market, referrals and introductions can be the key to getting new business. Seek out opportunities to propose repeat business with former clients, too. Uncertain times encourage more reliance on trusted sources and known quantities, so warm approaches and existing contacts will pay off better than cold calls or mass mailings.

4. Explore partnerships. Working with a partner can create more opportunities for both of you. By sharing contacts, you each increase the size of your network. Together, you can multiply your marketing efforts and share expenses. A partner with a complementary business can allow you to offer a more complete solution than your competitors can. A photographer could team up with a graphic designer, for example. And you can help keep each other's spirits up, too.

5. Meet people where they are. In a down economy and at holiday time, prospects are even more price sensitive than usual. Instead of slashing your rates to get their business, propose a get-acquainted offer. A professional organizer or image consultant could offer a reduced price half-day package for new clients. A management consultant or executive coach could propose a staff seminar instead of consulting/coaching work. Once clients see you in action, they'll be more willing to spend.

6. Find the silver linings. When companies cut back on staff, opportunities are created. With fewer people on the payroll to handle essential tasks, downsized organizations present possibilities for project work, interim assignments, and outsourced functions. Economic changes beget other needs. People who are out of work need resume writers and career coaches. Folks concerned about their finances need investment advisors and financial planners.

Landing clients during a down period requires not just more marketing, but more strategic marketing. So instead of getting depressed by the news, get inspired by it. When you hear about coming layoffs, consider how your services could benefit those companies. When you read about negative consumer attitudes, use those words to better target your marketing copy. When prospects say, "not this year," craft a proposal that ensures your place in their 2009 budget.

For the successful independent professional, there's no such thing as a bad time to market.
Copyright © 2008, C.J. Hayden

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CJ Hayden PhotoC.J. Hayden is the author of Get Clients Now!™ Thousands of business owners and independent professionals have used her simple sales and marketing system to double or triple their income. Get a free copy of "Five Secrets to Finding All the Clients You'll Ever Need" at www.getclientsnow.com.


Open Medical Writing Staff and Contract Jobs

Senior Manager Medical Writing 
San Francisco Bay Area
We are working to locate a Senior Manager of Medical Writing for a well-established and growing biopharmaceutical company.

Reporting to the Director of Medical Writing, this person will act as lead medical writer for both investigational and commercial product programs as needed. They will inherit a small team. This person must have in-depth and hands-on experience with regulatory writing. The number of years required will vary, depending on degree level. This person must work in-house.

The company is located in the San Francisco Bay area and will work to assist with relocation.
For further information please contact:
 
Denise Milano Sprung
VP Search Services
Joseph Associates, Inc.
Huntington, NY 11743
631.760.2217 direct dial
 
Please feel free to browse our website at www.jaexecutivesearch.com
Medical Writer, Non-regulatory Writing 
Stamford, CT; Job #PCR-06068-1
Description: Responsible for writing and/or editing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed medical journals based on completed clinical study reports. Responsibilities include interpretation of the study data and relevant published literature.

Requires local candidate, as this assignment requires 2 days a week onsite in Stamford CT. The balance of the week may be worked remotely. Requires a minimum master's degree in an associated scientific discipline and at least 5 years of experience in non-regulatory medical writing, specifically clinical research manuscripts. Working knowledge of key concepts, practices, and procedures related to clinical research and development of medical journal publications is required. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Will interact with multiple levels of the clinical research

Salary: $65-$70
Job Type: Contract
Total Exp: 5 Yrs
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Stamford, CT

If interested, contact:

Steven J Pruner
CyberDivan Recruiting
919-598-0110
877-298-1190
919-957-3301 fax
mailto: recruiter@cyberdivan.com
Medical Writer 
Clinton, NJ; Job #IN-09127-1
Due to company growth and a steadily increasing flow of regulatory documents into the clinical group, we are looking to fill a newly-created position within our Research & Development Department. This is a great opportunity for the right individual.

This is a full-time, direct-hire, exempt position, and the job description is attached. The salary range is $60K to $65K, and we offer a bonus target potential of 10 percent of annual base salary.

The work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

In addition to salary and annual bonus, this company offers a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, paid life insurance and paid Long-term Disability.

Salary: 60-65k
Job Type: Permanent
Total Exp: 3 Yrs
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Clinton, NJ

If interested, contact:

Steven J Pruner
CyberDivan Recruiting
919-598-0110
877-298-1190
919-957-3301 fax
mailto: recruiter@cyberdivan.com
DISCLAIMER:  Biotech Ink, LLC, and the Biotech Ink Insider provide the Insider jobs list on an "as-submitted basis," and neither assumes responsibility for, nor guarantees the quality or accuracy of, any listing or response. All listings are provided as a free service and courtesy to subscribers and users, and users assume all risk in using the information in the Insider