​

Don't Give Up on LinkedIn! Here's What I Changed That Helped

Hi Reader,

​

How did two more weeks manage to fly off the calendar so fast? 💨

I’ve had my head down working on some projects these past weeks. I decided to test out a health B2B writing gig. Not sure yet how I feel about it... But I think creating patient-facing content is still my sweet spot.

Let me know how things are going on your end. Some of you have written back, and it truly warms my heart. Excited to connect more this month!

​

A word, please!

Many of you have asked. Yep! You wrote back (which I loved!) to ask how I land most of my freelance writing gigs through LinkedIn outreach.

LinkedIn is still the GOAT (greatest of all time) when it comes to finding health writing leads. It’s a gold mine for us health writers!

If you’re thinking it, I’m with you: Networking is not exactly fun or glamorous!

And you don’t have to go very far to get tons of how-to’s on networking on LinkedIn. All you have to do is open your LinkedIn feed, and you’ll find all kinds of advice:

“10 tricks for the perfect connection request”

“100 people you MUST connect with”

“Use niche hashtags”

“Don’t use niche hashtags”

“Send at least 10 connection requests per day, no matter what”

Etc… etc…

​

It's information overload.

You drive yourself crazy trying to follow these tips and tricks. And your inbox is still empty!

By the way, the networking advice on LinkedIn? They’re not wrong. In fact, many of them can work very well.

But what I found is that what works for that writer or that guru may be a total flop for the rest of us. I had to step back and get real with myself. I'm no social media butterfly. I prefer books to parties and don't have a stand-out personal brand. Honestly, my dating profile used to say, "I'll never be the life of the party!" It’s true!
​

At the end of the day, I still needed writing gigs. So, I decided to stop forcing myself into someone else's “Networking Formula”.
​

I started customizing my LinkedIn approach based on how I best connect with people. I looked at many different networking strategies, keeping what worked and tossing what didn't. To paraphrase my dad: Find your thing. Don't give up if one system fails you. Just keep refining your process until you find what works.

And that's what I did. I took pieces of advice from various LinkedIn gurus, combining their tips with my own ideas. I tested different networking methods and evaluated the results each time. It was a process of experimentation to determine which tactics delivered the best connections, conversations, and gigs.

And I encourage you to do the same!

​

So, here’s what I do when prospecting and sending requests:

​

• I pull my list of target publications. I highly recommend keeping a running list (a simple spreadsheet) of target publications as you come across them.
  ​
• Open a LinkedIn tab and get to work finding editors and content managers at those publications. I'll start by typing my target publication’s name into the search bar, along with keywords like "editor" or "content manager." So if I have my sights set on GoodRx, I'll search "GoodRx content manager" to pull up profiles.
  ​
• I review their profiles. I check their:
  • About section (Look for interesting nuggets)
  • Activity (Recent posts, comments, reactions)
  • Feature section (Published pieces? Highlights?)
  • Work experience (Current role, previous work experience)
  • Education section (What schools they attended)

All this is to help me find common ground and briefly reference things that matter to them during outreach.

• I check if we have mutual connections. With a little luck, I may find a mutual contact who can make introductions.
  ​
• Review their LinkedIn activity level — when did they last post or comment? This helps me gauge engagement. An active presence may mean they use LinkedIn to source writers. Gold!
  ​
• If they haven't been active on LinkedIn for months, I'll still send a connection request, but I’ll also follow up with a cold email. (We talked about cold emailing in the last newsletter)
  ​
• I don’t stop at one editor per publication. While on that editor’s page, I’ll scroll through "People Also Viewed" and "People You May Know at X organization" (on the right side if you’re on a desktop) to find more prospects. These sections reveal additional relevant prospects I can engage. Touching base with multiple editors means casting a wider net, which translates into more opportunities!
  ​
• Next, I’m set to send a personalized connection request. Using the information I glean from the research above, I briefly highlight something specific to make my connection request stand out.
  ​

💡For example, I once noticed an editor and I attended the same university. So I mentioned our shared alma mater in my note as a connection point. This led to a paid gig!

💡Another time, I noticed an editor published an article on mental health years back. I called out my appreciation for her advocacy on the topic in my outreach. Another paid gig!

💡An editor commented on a hot health topic, I'd chime into that public discussion before sending a more private request to connect, piggybacking on the post and replies.

When a profile lacks those details, I dig deeper by Googling their name or company. Any professional nugget — a recognition, event speaker bio, etc. — can help keep my message unique. A little personalization goes a long way.

You only have 300 characters available for that personal note. Make the most of it. Keep it brief but impactful!

​

Here are two actual (redacted for privacy) connection requests I sent:

​

#1​
Hi [name],
​
[school] alum here! Class of [year]. Go [school mascot]!

I’m a health writer, and I write regularly for [PUBLICATION] and [PUBLICATION]. I’d love to connect.

Keep me in mind if you need freelance writing help.

​
Thanks,

Maggie

​
​
​
​

#2

Hi [name],

Grateful for the insight I gained from your article about [topic]. Here’s hoping the [topic] law truly improves access.

I’d love to connect. I write regularly for [PUBLICATION] and [PUBLICATION].

Best,

Maggie

​

What if you can't find enough details to customize your connection request? You still have a couple of solid options:

1. Send a generic connection request anyway. You'd be surprised how many people accept them. I've had success connecting this way. The key is having an informative profile the editors can glance at.
   ​
   ​
2. Skip adding a note entirely. LinkedIn actually auto-populates a generic message for you if you choose this route.
   ​

👉 And if you’ve seen the latest change, the free version of LinkedIn now limits the number of customized connection requests you can send per month to 10. So you may hit that max quickly!

Alternatively, you can upgrade to LinkedIn Premium. Personally, I have no plans to invest in LI Premium. The free version has served me well, and I intend to stick with it.

LinkedIn is hands down my most successful strategy for marketing my freelance writing services. But let's get one thing straight: It’s not instant! Some people don't reply for MONTHS, usually when they finally need a writer. But trust me, planting those seeds pays dividends in the long run.

So, how do you improve your odds of success? Consistency.

And that's easier said than done, right? When it feels like you're sending connection requests into a black hole day after day, it can definitely be discouraging. But make outreach a regular habit, even when you don't "need" new clients.

Prospect, Reach Out, Repeat.

Yes, prospecting and reaching out should be a near-daily routine. Do it even when your client load feels comfortable. You'll be glad you laid that foundation when an existing client goes silent on you, reduces work, or you need to fill a gap quickly.

It takes time from that initial outreach to signing a client contract to getting that first paycheck. There's usually a back-and-forth, discovery call, negotiating terms, onboarding, etc. By always planting seeds, you're giving those relationships time to sprout when you need them most.🌱

Stick with it!

​

🎁BONUS:

And what does an interested editor/content manager do after they receive your LinkedIn connection request?

They click straight over to check out your profile. So that first impression matters hugely!

Ask yourself:

• Does my Headline explicitly state what I do? This prime real estate should grab their attention.
• Can they easily reference samples of my work? If you're using Creator Mode on LinkedIn, consider adding the links to your best samples under the Featured section.
• Is my About section succinct yet descriptive?
• Is my Experience section updated and does it clearly show I have the right subject matter background?

Make sure your profile instantly shows editors you have the skills and experience to contribute excellent writing. Seal the deal. Once that connection acceptance comes through, you’re already miles ahead!
​

---

​
​Your Turn!🤝

• Keep an ongoing list of target publications and companies you want to write for.
• Search for editors, content managers, etc. at those publications on LinkedIn.
• Review profiles thoroughly — look for personal details to reference.
• Gauge their LinkedIn activity to understand their engagement.
• Send personalized connection requests highlighting common ground.
• Send requests even with limited personal details — many connect regardless.
• Spruce up your LinkedIn profile.
• Be consistent with regular outreach efforts over time.
• Don't get discouraged by non-responses. Persistence pays off!

---

Hot off the dek!

📌This issue's Hot off the dek is brought to you courtesy of Aditi Shingal, Health Communications Expert!

Have you connected with Aditi on LinkedIn? She's a fantastic health writer and a gem!
​
​What’s making waves in health writing? What’s the latest buzz?

Here are 3 pitch ideas editors want:

​

​ Personalized Medicine It's reshaping healthcare! Personalized medicine puts patients at the center of their own health decision-making. You can pitch this topic from so many angles: privacy considerations, health equity, friend or foe, outlook, etc. Golden nuggets from your SMEs will make for an informative and stand-out piece! ​

​

​ Disease X What the heck is it?? Well, it doesn't exist yet. "Disease X" is the term coined by the World Health Organization to describe a presently unidentified infectious condition with the potential to trigger an epidemic or, in the event of cross-border spread, a pandemic. An unseen threat? Gather your SMEs and share their insights! ​

​

​ Measles outbreak You likely heard about it. And it's no longer just in the UK. At least 4 states in the US are currently affected. Why is it happening? Signs and symptoms? Role of MMR vaccination? What can consumers do? Raise awareness. So many angles you can tackle this one. Pitch away! ​

---

Gigs & Opps

Your next paid gig might be hiding below. Take a look!

​Longevity Global​ Longevity Global seeks freelance writers for their new Substack paying $200 per article; you would collaborate on selecting a topic to explain recent scientific research or technologies related to longevity in an accessible way for a general audience. ​Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research​ Looking for writers to produce news and articles covering the work of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, such as interviews with current and former staff about their research; example topics include profiling metabolic studies and related projects coming out of the center for general audience publication. ​Insider ​ Conz Preti (editor at Insider) is looking for fresh new pitches on health, sex & relationships, and more. Email pitches to cpreti@insider.com. They generally pay $200+ for these types of pieces. Conz is a pleasure to work with and super responsive. ​Agave Health​ Looking for a talented freelance curriculum writer to enhance their CBT program for ADHD symptoms. ​Men's Health Magazine​ Looking for compelling freelance articles, including features, profiles, and essays on timely topics relevant to men. Email your article ideas and pitches to Rachel at rachel.epstein@hearst.com. ​Healthline Media Still looking for a freelance health news writer. Compensation: $200 USD/article ​Rising Flame Open for pitches to their mental health story collection featuring community accounts from India in various formats like text, audio, and video. The call is for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses in India.

💡Writer guidelines can seem tedious, but sticking to those outlined submission instructions offers major returns on your pitch success rates! Editors are flooded with queries daily, so take the time to follow their stated processes to help your pitch stand out.

---

On the Blog

Check out these insightful blog posts:
​

• ​Why You Should Update Your Blog (and how to do it)​ by Bridget Montes, BSN, RN.​
  ​
• ​10 Tips for Consistent Health Blogging by Anita C. Mgbakor, B.Sc in Healthcare Management.
  ​
• ​7 Reasons to Increase Your Patients’ Health Literacy and How to Do It​ by Darakhshan Nehal.
  ​

Show some extra LinkedIn love to these talented contributors.

Want more from the blog? See it here!

---

Blog Booster

👉 What did you write for your own blog?

Share it with me at hello@thewritern.com.

Use our Blog Booster challenge to grow your own blog. And... it's time for another blog booster! Are you ready?
​

Here’s the plan:

1. Over the next two weeks (by February 8), write one blog post. That’s it, just one blog post for your website in the next two weeks.
   ​
2. Suggested topic ideas: ​
   ​- How to improve on-page SEO
   - A health writer’s take on AI
   - Medical misinformation
   - It takes more than blogging to rank on Google
   - Beating writer’s block
   - Tracking your blog's impact ​
   ​
3. Post your challenge blog post on LinkedIn using the hashtag #THWNblogbooster. It helps me (and other writers participating in the challenge) find and support your blog post on LinkedIn.​
   ​
4. Once you’ve published your post, send the link to me at hello@thewritern.com so I can easily collect submissions.
   ​
5. Posts from challenge participants will be featured in upcoming newsletter editions. This gives your writing bonus exposure!
   ​
6. One last thing! Make it a point to interact with and support the work of fellow health writers taking on the Blog Booster challenge. Remember, this is our community!

​

---

Missed the last issue? Catch it here 👉 What’s the most underrated client-winning move? ​

​

Get it here​

Save time and money with my FREE draft submission checklist! With this checklist, you can: Breeze through self-edits Hit ‘Send’ with total confidence Keep editors happy and impressed Free up hours to take on more work or do something fun

​

And that, my friends, is it for THWN Issue No. 4!

Au revoir, mes amis…

See ya in about 336 hours, aka 14 days!

​

PS: I'm seriously, absolutely, and honestly itching to know how I can make this newsletter the best for YOU and US. This is not a one-way street. You hear from me. But I want to also hear from you. Hit REPLY to share what works and what doesn’t, what you want to see more of, or just say hi! 👋

​

PPS: In the last issue, I shared how I use Hunter.io and ContactOut to find email addresses. Here's one more FREE tool: Prospeo.io. Check it out!

​

​

Loving the vibes? Share this newsletter with a friend. ​ And if you received this e-mail from a friend, why not make it official? Stick around, treat yourself, and subscribe!

Have we connected in the socials yet?

Florida
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​