In case you had not noticed, America is getting older. And while that might cause alarm for some people, for freelance writers, it is time to dance a jig. Why? Because with the so-called “graying of America,” the opportunity to write for health markets has “exploded and reached an all-time high.” And it will continue to grow and grow and grow.

Here are five tips to keep in mind when writing for the health markets:

Find the latest health and fitness news. Think like an editor, who is always trying to think like a reader. What is happening in the world of health and fitness, and why is it newsworthy? Find a timely topic in the health world, and you are one step closer to landing an assignment. There are thousands of websites that are devoted to health and fitness information. A good place to start is the Federal Government’s own site, the National Institutes of Health. Visit them at http://www.nih.gov and you’ll find every health topic and late breaking bulletin there is.

Target your audience. Know the audience of the magazine, newsletter or website, and your job as a health writer will be a lot easier. For example, does this publication like to include a lot of statistics and facts, or is it looking for more of the “human side” of the story? Read back issues, study the writer’s guidelines, and you’ll do fine.

Know where to find statistics and facts. As a freelance health writer, you need to know how to research the basic health facts and statistics. Compile a list of reference books, directories (including online sources) and other health materials. A good place to start is a local university or college library. Or better yet, check with your local hospital; many times, they will have a health library that is open to the public. You won’t find a better source of reference materials anywhere.

Know where to get good quotes from doctors. If you have not yet visited www.profnet.com, then take a few moments and do so. It has the world’s largest group of “experts” in every field, and they are just waiting to answer your questions. Need a quote from a dentist? Go to ProfNet; need a quote from a heart surgeon? Go to Profnet.

Don’t write like a doctor. Unless you are a doctor, that is. But even if you are a doctor, remember that you are writing for a general consumer market (unless you are writing for a medical journal!). Don’t use 18 letter words when shorter ones will work just as well. Read other general consumer health materials as a guide.

Here are a few health markets that are actively seeking new articles:

Health Central – Find them online at https://www.healthcentral.com/ I recently sold two articles to them at $150 for 500 words.

Everyday Health – Find them online at https://www.everydayhealth.com/ Last year I wrote four articles for them at $350 for 600 words.

When searching for new markets to sell health articles, don’t forget to check out health and medical associations.  You can find lots of links right here: http://www.meditec.com/resourcestools/professional-associations-list/ Many associations use freelance writers on a regular basis.  A few years ago the American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) hired me to update a Medicare manual.  Although the work was a little boring, it did pay nearly $6,000.

BIO – John Riddle is the author of 34 books, including a few health and medical titles, and has worked as a ghostwriter for numerous physicians.  His byline has appeared in major publications all across the U.S., and he has written articles for over 50 health sites. Since 1996 John has been working out of his home office in Delaware as a full-time freelance writer, author and ghostwriter.