No "New Year, New Anything" Required Here!

Hi Reader,

Who launches a newsletter in mid-December? Me, that's who! 🙋🏽‍♀️
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2023 winding down reminded me that beginnings emerge from the ashes of endings. Not to sound cliché or anything, but new adventures can unfold at the close of one chapter as much as the opening of another.
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So why wait for some fabled "new year, new anything?" Or, as my sassy mini-me would say (side eye included), "Because why not, mother?" Anytime can be the right time!
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Here we are! I want to bring this idea to life and create an amazing space for OUR community. Yes, I said OUR!
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The Health Writer Newsletter is all about you, me, and health writers everywhere supporting each other. This is our circle, our tribe, our space… you get the idea!
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Here's what's in store:

A word, please! My lightbulb moments and lessons learned (so far) as a health writer.

Hot off the dek! We all need the 411 on hot trends and topics to pitch, am I right?

Gigs & opps Hand-picked paid health writing gigs (Cha-ching!💰)

And much more, including blog writing challenges, writer spotlights, quarterly giveaways, and — most importantly — hearing from YOU!

Speaking of YOU… confession time: I don't have it all figured out yet! (But do we ever?) That's why I need your input on what will make The Health Writer Newsletter a value-packed resource in your inbox every other Thursday.

Hit Reply and let me know. I really, really, really want to know how I can best make this worthwhile for all of us.
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Hot off the dek!

What's making waves in health writing? What's the latest buzz?

Here are 4 pitch ideas editors want:

The Tripledemic (RSV, Flu, COVID) The Tripledemic is STILL wreaking havoc! (And, no, it's not too late!) Someone I mentor just got a pitch about the Tripledemic accepted. People continue navigating uncertainty around this trio. Find an angle (Hint: When should you home-treat vs. see your doctor vs. take a trip to the urgent care or emergency room?) and pitch away! Don't forget those subject matter experts (SMEs)!

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), aka the seasonal blues, plagues SO many people! And again, it's not too late! Share a personal or patient story, find a different angle, answer the why behind SAD, and give tips! Grab those golden quotes from SMEs!

Medical Breakthrough Predictions Looking ahead, how about a pitch on medical breakthrough predictions for 2024? Gather a few SMEs and ask what they foresee! (I'm curious to read what you find out)

Gene Editing Have you thought about gene editing? Think CRISPR, short for "clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats," and its recent FDA approval for sickle cell disease. But will its high-ticket price and flawed healthcare system make it impossible for those who need it to access it? This is a big one!

Gigs & opps

Now that you have your pitch ideas, it's time to get paid! 💰💰

Blog booster

AKA our blog writing challenge.
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I was there too. I've heard the promises to myself: "I need to focus on my blog for real!" or the classic "Next month, I'll start my blog"

Let's be real — We've been nodding along to those aspirations for far too long, and it's about time we move from intention to full-on ACTION!

And guess what? We're not waiting for 2024. Remember? "No New Year, New Anything"! The time to start is now.
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So, here's the plan:

1. Over the next two weeks (by December 28), I'll be right alongside you, writing one blog post. That's it, just one blog post in the next two weeks. Let's take advantage of the holiday lull to get this done!
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2. Next, some suggested topic ideas: ​
   ​- How to improve on-page SEO
   - A health writer's take on ChatGPT
   - Medical misinformation
   - It takes more than blogging to rank on Google
   - Beating writer's block
   - Tracking your blog impact ​
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   Hear me out! The goal with these topics is to shift from health conditions to topics your potential clients are actually seeking when they land on your website. Your health and wellness articles can find a place in your portfolio, but the content on your blog should address your clients' questions about why they should bring a health writer (YOU) on board.
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   Plus, these topics (when well-written with appropriate calls to action) enhance your discoverability on Google! A win-win between smart positioning and helpful information. More to come on that…​
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3. Promote your challenge blog post on LinkedIn using the hashtag #THWNblogbooster.​
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4. Once you've published your post, send the link to me at maggie@thewritern.com so I can easily collect submissions.
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5. Posts from challenge participants will be featured in upcoming newsletter editions. This gives your writing bonus exposure!
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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!

And that, my friends, is it for THWN #1!

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 US. Hit reply and clue me in on your thoughts!
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Let's get social!

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Florida
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