Leveraging Linkedin to Successfully Launch and Grow a Freelancing Career

Abstract

When used to its full potential, LinkedIn can be a powerful networking and marketing tool for medical writers and other professionals. Bhavadharini Balaji, PhD, started her medical writing journey in late 2022 after completing 2 postdoctoral fellowships and working as a senior consultant at a global contract research organization. Today, she has a successful career as a freelance medical writer and mentor, with LinkedIn playing a substantial role in facilitating the transition.

In this article, Balaji shares her journey from academia to self-employment and discusses how LinkedIn has helped her gain knowledge, market herself and her services, and grow her business. Among many other advantages, Balaji highlights that LinkedIn can serve as a bridge, connecting medical writers with other professionals who can provide valuable insights and referrals, ultimately contributing to business growth. By crafting and curating content on LinkedIn that reflects one’s expertise, passions, and unique selling points, freelancers can develop a personal brand that resonates with their target audience. As such, the social media platform has allowed her to create a compelling narrative, showcase her journey authentically, and make herself relatable through the sharing of insights and stories about her expertise, challenges, and successes. Nevertheless, having a strong social media presence is not enough to launch a career, with coaching, mentoring, and past in-house medical writing experience also playing important roles in Balaji’s success.