Julia Walton, Director at healthcare communications recruiter, Media Contacts, weighs up the pros and cons of freelancing in medcomms, and gives tips on successful freelancing.

Recorded 2 August 2017 at a MedComms Networking event in Oxford. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv

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ABSTRACT:

Freelancing offers greater flexibility than most jobs, and these days more companies are open to flexible working. You can be your own boss, avoid office politics – and there are tax benefits. On the downside, you will be giving up a reliable monthly salary, paid holiday, paid sick leave and other employee benefits if you switch to freelancing, as well as the company of other people in the workplace. In addition, you will have to do your own administration, so consider a switch to freelancing carefully. If you are looking to reduce your hours, could you go part-time instead? Could you speak with your boss about flexible working?

If you decide to go freelance, do your preparation. You are setting up your own business: you need to know your market and build your network continuously. Before handing in your notice, set aside some money as a cushion, research the financial implications, and look at how you are going to market yourself online. Good preparation is key to successful freelancing. Plan your time carefully, and build your contacts. Each time you complete a job, ask for a recommendation – and ask clients to pass on your details to colleagues and friends if they think you have done a good job. Remember that you are only as good as your last project. The communications industry is close-knit and people talk to each other which is a blessing if your work is good!

Written by Penny Gray, Freelance Medical Writer

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We are building a library of free webcasts, like this one, for the global MedComms Community and others at http://www.networkpharma.tv and we’d welcome your suggestions for new topics and speakers.

Full details of this MedComms Networking event are at http://www.medcommsnetworking.com/event_020817.html

Julia’s presentation (PDF format) is at http://medcommsnetworking.com/presentations/walton_020817_02.pdf

Julia’s Linkedin page is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliawalton/

More about Media Contacts can be found at http://www.media-contacts.co.uk

Filming and technical direction by Mario Crispino, Freelance Cameraman & Editor

[For the avoidance of doubt: this video is intended to be freely accessible to all. Please feel free to share and use however you like. Cheers Peter Llewellyn, Director NetworkPharma Ltd and Founder of the MedComms Networking Community activity at http://www.medcommsnetworking.com]