CME Writing Success Formula: A Mindful, Strategic Path to a Thriving Freelance Career
If you’ve been circling the field of continuing medical education (CME), you’ve probably noticed two things.
First, CME writing is everywhere—in needs assessments, patient cases, outcomes reports, slide decks, and increasingly, in microlearning formats.
Second? It’s hard to get a clear view of how to break in.
Even experienced medical writers can find CME confusing. The ecosystem is complex. The regulations are specific. The entry points can feel hidden. And the learning curve? Let’s just say it’s not exactly shallow.
That’s why I created CME Writing Success Formula—a six-part podcast mini-series designed to help you step into CME writing with clarity, confidence, and purpose. The series distills two decades of industry experience (and my perspective as a yoga teacher) into a practical, step-by-step guide for writers at all stages.
The podcast mini-series is publicly available until April 28, then it will disappear.
Writing as Purpose: Is CME the Right Fit for You?
Many writers come to CME because they want more meaningful work.
They’re burned out on promotional content/being an academic, clinician, researcher. Or they’re looking to deepen their subject matter expertise. Or they simply want a career that pays well and makes a difference.
In Episode 1, I invite you to explore whether CME writing aligns with your skills, interests, and goals. Think of this as your dharma check—a reflective pause to ask:
Do I enjoy translating medical research into actionable insights?
Am I comfortable writing for clinicians?
Do I want a flexible, high-impact freelance career?
Spoiler: You don’t need to be an academic, clinician, or researcher to succeed in CME. But you do need curiosity, critical thinking, and a desire to support better patient care through education.
Mapping the Terrain: Understanding the CME Ecosystem
One of the biggest challenges for new CME writers is understanding who the clients are, how funding works, and where you fit in.
In Episode 2, we dive into the structure of the CME industry—from accreditation bodies like ACCME to the education companies, societies, and academic centers that hire freelance writers. We also explore the content formats that need your skills: needs assessments, outcomes reports, patient cases, and beyond.
Want the visuals? Download the CME Ecosystem Map for a clear snapshot of the players and pathways.
Confidence Is a Practice, Not a Prerequisite
Imposter syndrome is rampant in CME—especially for those without clinical backgrounds.
In Episode 3, we shift the narrative. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything. It comes from understanding what you already bring to the table.
I guide listeners through a CME-specific skills inventory and offer practical ways to build your starter portfolio—even if you don’t have client samples. (Hint: You probably have transferable experience hiding in plain sight.)
Download the free CME Skills Inventory to start mapping your strengths.
Yes, This Is a Business: Pricing, Clients, and Sustainable Systems
Let’s talk about the elephant in the writing room: how to actually get paid.
In Episode 4, we explore the business side of CME writing—how to price your services, find clients, and set up systems that support your work and your wellbeing.
We cover:
Pricing models that value your time and expertise
Where to find high-quality CME clients
How to manage scope, deadlines, and revisions like a pro
This episode is your permission slip to run your business with as much care as your craft.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If I could shout one message from the rooftops, it would be this:
You do not have to figure CME out on your own.
In Episode 5, we explore the transformative power of mentorship and community. I share real stories from WriteCME Pro members who built thriving businesses not just through hustle—but through connection.
Together, we can normalize the learning curve. We can share what works. We can stop reinventing the wheel in isolation.
That’s the power of community—and the heart of WriteCME Accelerator, a unique program designed to walk you through the CME landscape and equip you with all the skills you need to launch and grow a freelance CME writing business.
Your Roadmap to a Thriving CME Writing Business
In our final episode, I introduce the ROADMAP Framework—a practical guide for integrating everything we’ve covered into a cohesive, successful business:
Research the industry
Optimize your writing
Adapt to different content types
Discover your niche
Maintain your business systems
Align with client needs
Promote your expertise strategically
Each of these steps is rooted in what works—because I’ve walked this path myself, and I’ve helped tons of writers walk it too.
What's Next?
If you’re ready to go from listening to implementing, I’d love to support your next step.
WriteCME Accelerator is open for enrollment.
It’s a hands-on, high-touch program designed to take you from "curious but confused" to confidently writing CME content that gets results (and gets you hired).
✅ Expert-led training
✅ Personalized feedback
✅ A curated community of peers
✅ A clear roadmap you can actually follow