Work smarter, not harder! You might have read or heard this phrase many times in your life. This also applies to medical writing. In this blog, I am sharing 7 tips to help you produce high-quality content.
When you start your career in medical writing, it can feel quite daunting and overwhelming. You might stuck in the how?where?when?
So dear medical writers whether you’re already in the field or planning to start your career, every writer faces challenges, but with the right approach, the process can become much easier.
Following tips will help you in staying efficient, focused, and productive:
1. Start with an Outline
First things first! Always start with an outline. Take this outline as a blueprint of your content. This outline will help you in keeping your content structured and also allow you to prevent unnecessary distractions.
2. Assign Word Limits to Sections
Once you have completed an outline, assign a word count to each section based on the project’s overall requirement. I find this tip extremely helpful because it offers two main benefits. First, it prevents overwriting or underwriting, ensuring that each section has the appropriate content. Second, it saves time, because without assigned word counts, you might spend too much time writing unnecessary content and then have to revise it later to fit the required limits.
3. Use of Credible Sources
This is a must-follow tip for all writers. Always and I mean always use credible sources in your writing. Using trustworthy, well-sourced references not only enhances the credibility of your work but also establishes your credibility as a writer. Sometimes, you might struggle to find a reliable reference for the information you want to present, or the only sources you find may be non-credible. Even in such situations, never use an unreliable source. With a bit more digging online, you will find a credible reference.
4. Just Start Writing
The best tip for producing quality content is not to expect it to be perfect on the first try because it won’t be! Even experienced writers rarely get it right in the first draft. Don’t get stuck trying to perfect every sentence initially. Focus on completing your first draft without worrying about perfection; refinement and polishing always come later.
5. Edit and Finalize
Once you’ve completed your first draft and included all the content you want, it’s time to focus on grammar, sentence structure, flow, formatting, and clarity. You may need to add or adjust sentences here and there to finalize the content. This step can significantly transform your first draft and bring it much closer to the finished piece.
6. Take a Break Before Submission
Once you’ve finalized the document, don’t submit it immediately. Take a break and review it the next day. Approaching your work with fresh eyes often helps catch improvements or errors that might have been overlooked.
7. Ask for Feedback
Feedback is a valuable tool for improving your work. Having another pair of eyes review your writing can help refine it further. This applies to writers of all experience levels. Even seasoned professionals seek feedback to strengthen their work. Whether you’re a new medical writer or an experienced one, actively seeking feedback can make your work shine.
Follow these tips, trust the process, and remember: great content rarely happens on the first try. Revise, refine, and let your work shine.
Learn. Grow. Lead. 