<aside> ➡️ How should you choose a niche? Answer the questions below, and you’ll be on your way.

Start with a niche in mind, but remain open. As you gain more experience, you may refine and narrow your niche further.

Discuss options with a career coach or join a medical writing networking group. Getting input can help you decide on a focus.

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🍽️ Table of contents

➡️ Skills and Passion Intersection

  1. List your top skills, interests, and values in medical writing.
    1. What projects allow you to use your skills and align with your interests and values?
    2. If these are skills that only you can do, then you are clear about your skills (I’m struck by how many times I’ve heard new-to-the-field medical writers say they are unclear about how many or which skills they have).
  2. Review your work from the past 1-2 years.
    1. List the projects and client types you enjoyed working on the most.
    2. Look for any patterns or common threads.
  3. Identify project types that you enjoy working on and bring a reasonable return on investment in your business.
    1. For this, you must pull metrics such as the time you spend on projects by project type, client type, and other meaningful variables for your business.

<aside> 💡 As a side note, if you are not tracking these metrics, it’s time to start doing so. Collecting data on the time, energy, and satisfaction associated with project types and clients will help you figure out what is sustainable in your business and where you need to consider some redirection in your work.

</aside>

  1. Ask colleagues, mentors, or clients for feedback.

    1. What do they see as your strengths and best skills?
    2. What types of projects do they think you excel at?

  2. Take a skills assessment or career values quiz. This can help reveal your natural talents and work preferences.

➡️ Market Demand and Expertise

  1. Research medical writing niches or specialties.
    1. Make a list of ones that jump out as attractive or a good fit based on your skills and interests.
  2. Shadow or interview medical writers working in niches you're curious about. Ask about their typical projects, clients, challenges, etc.
  3. Look for trends in medical writing.
    1. Are there any growing niche areas that align with your abilities?