Can’t See the Forest for the Trees? Here’s How to Build Expertise and Get Freelance Writing Clients as a CME Freelance Writer
Do you ever feel like you’re stuck studying CME instead of actually writing CME? It’s easy to get caught up in the weeds, reading every guideline, bookmarking every article, and convincing yourself you need just a bit more info before you’re actually ready.
Well, friends, I’m here to tell you you’re ready now. You don’t build confidence by waiting. You build it by pitching, writing, editing, finishing a project, and hitting repeat on the whole process.
That said, growing your authority as a CME writer doesn’t mean you should rush past the details. Instead, you need to know when to pause and when to move. So let’s look at some ways to build confidence while actively building your CME writing career.
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Brush Up on Best Practices in Adult Learning
If you’re writing CME, you’re designing content for adult learners, and that means that brushing up on adult learning principles is essential. The best CME writers understand how people learn, and not just what they need to know.
Let’s start with the basics: Moore’s outcomes framework, principles of adult learning and learning science, and a working understanding of instructional design. These are all a part of how you should think through your work and make smarter choices about structure, engagement, and the educational value that you’re providing.
Revisiting this material regularly is a good practice. It doesn’t mean you don’t know it well. It simply means that you care about doing your best work. And every time you circle back, you can pick up something new or apply it in a fresh way.
Staying grounded in learning theory is going to help strengthen your confidence and boost your credibility with both clients and collaborators alike. Because when you speak the language of learning, you’re proving that you’re not just a writer–you’re an educator, too.
Stay Current with Industry Publications and Events
You don’t have to read everything in the industry to stay sharp, but regular reading will go a long way in helping you stay connected and credible. Skim through industry staples like the Journal of CME to stay tuned into what’s happening in the field.
Conferences are another great tool, even if you only attend one a year. Keep an eye on the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions and CMEpalooza. Both are packed with relevant sessions, great takeaways, and the chance to meet your fellow CME writers.
This consistent exposure helps you bring up-to-date insights to your projects and pitch innovative ideas. It also helps you speak the language of CME, which goes a long way with clients, many of whose top complaint is that their writers don’t really understand the CME landscape.
And if you want support making sense of it all, WriteCME Pro is designed to give you expert insights, access to freelance opportunities, and the chance to build your very own CME community as you continue to grow in this field.
"Thought Leadership": Share Your Own Thoughts
You don’t need a “personal brand” or a daily post schedule in order to be seen. What matters is showing up now and then to share the things you’re learning, what you’re noticing, or even asking the questions that you have. That’s how you build trust and credibility: by being visible in a way that feels real to you.
This might look like a short note on LinkedIn, a casual reflection in a peer Slack group, or even submitting a piece to theAlliance Almanac,which welcomes the voices of CME writers. Your perspective matters, and it doesn’t have to be perfectly polished for it to be valuable.
In a small but mighty space like CME, authority is about so much more than credentials. It comes down to being part of the conversation. When you share how you think about the work you do, your peers start to see you as someone who’s engaged, thoughtful, and tuned in. That’s where authority and genuine community building start, and it’s also how they continue to grow.
Practice Finding Freelance Clients Really Does Make Perfect
Do you want to know when most of that “I’m not ready yet” feeling starts to fade? Right in the middle of doing all the work. The more you pitch, write, revise, and get feedback, the more your confidence starts to match your actual ability, and that’s a huge shift.
Try out new formats, like live activities, enduring content, patient cases, or even a new audience type. The more you stretch, the more you learn. That’s why building authority and expertise also means stepping into things that can feel very out of our comfort zones, like raising our rates, setting boundaries, and asking for client feedback.
However, the more you repeat the work, the more your confidence solidifies, and the more clearly you start to see yourself as the skilled, capable CME writer you are already becoming.
Have a Long-Term Marketing Strategy That Feels Right for You
Most CME writers I know would rather write needs assessments than talk about themselves, and that’s okay. Marketing doesn’t have to mean posting on LinkedIn or writing a newsletter. It can look like a clear, helpful website, frequent coffee chats, or a kind, well-timed follow-up with a past client.
The point of marketing isn’t to show off. It’s to learn how to clearly communicate your value - what you do, who you help, and how you can help them. This clarity builds trust and opens doors.
And like everything else in this field, marketing is a skill you learn. It slowly changes and develops over time. You keep checking in, trying new things, and refining as you go. Think of it the same way you think about staying current in CME. It’s a habit that grows with you.
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Build Your CME Freelance Writing Confidence with WriteCME Pro
Expertise and confidence don’t appear overnight. They build over time, pitch by pitch, activity by activity. You don’t have to be 100% ready to start. I’d argue you never will be.
Confidence comes from showing up, again and again, and letting the process shape you. That mindset of being curious, steady, and grounded makes a great CME writer.
If you’re ready to grow with real-time support, expert insights, and an engaged community, join us in WriteCME Pro. It’s built for writers like you, who want to strengthen their skills and keep building their CME writing careers, led by someone who’s been exactly where you are. Come join us today!
