Behind the Scenes: How Our Students Land Clients
By Elizabeth Hanes BSN RN
Freelance health journalist and founder of RN2writer
Elizabeth is a nurse turned six-figure freelance writer. Her work has appeared in WebMD, Verywell Health, Cardinal Health, and many other major healthcare brands and publications. She now helps nurses transition to freelance writing through RN2writer - an accredited provider of Continuing Nursing Education.
If you’re wondering whether real nurses can actually succeed in freelance writing, the answer is a resounding yes.
At RN2writer, we’ve watched hundreds of nurses move from 'I have no idea what I’m doing' to 'I just signed another client!'-without fancy degrees, prior experience, or a massive social media following.
So how do they do it?
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what actually helps nurse writers land paying clients—and how you can follow the same path.
It Starts with Clarity (Not a Website)
One of the biggest myths in freelance writing is that you need a polished website or perfect portfolio before you can start.
Our students learn quickly that what clients really want is clarity: What do you do? Who do you help? And why are you the right person for the job?
We guide students to describe their background and interests in a way that feels authentic and professional—no marketing jargon required. From there, they’re equipped to introduce themselves professionally and pitch with confidence—even without a fancy online presence.
They Learn to Speak the Client’s Language
Most nurses are used to speaking to patients or colleagues. Writing for clients? That’s a different skill—but totally learnable.
Successful students shift their mindset from 'nurse' to 'service provider.' They learn how to frame their experience in terms of value to the client:
- “I’m a nurse with 15 years of med-surg experience” becomes “I help health brands create accurate, trustworthy patient education content.”
That small shift makes a big difference when pitching or networking. It positions them as a solution—not just a hopeful applicant.
They Practice Simple, Effective Marketing Habits
Marketing doesn’t have to mean ads or hours on social media. Most of our students land clients by doing a few things consistently:
- Sending 1–2 emails per week to targeted contacts
- Sending an article query periodically to a magazine editor
- Following up on a schedule
- Posting once a week on LinkedIn to stay visible
- Blogging
This steady, low-pressure approach works far better than waiting for job boards to post the perfect gig.
They Focus on Relationships, Not Just Results
You don’t have to be the best writer in the world to land a client—but you do need to be professional, reliable, and easy to work with.
Our students are taught to treat every interaction—every email, every call, every follow-up—as part of a potential relationship.
Many have landed repeat work and referrals simply because they were friendly, prompt, and clear in their communication. That’s what builds trust—and trust leads to contracts.
They Embrace Progress Over Perfection
This might be the most important piece of all.
The students who succeed aren’t the ones who know everything. They’re the ones who take action before they feel ready.
They send the imperfect pitch. They talk about their new business before their portfolio is done. They accept their first assignment even if they’re nervous.
And every step builds confidence—and momentum.
What They Don’t Do
Just as important as what they do is what they don’t do:
- They don’t wait for permission
- They don’t spend months tweaking a logo or tagline
- They don’t obsess over whether they’re 'qualified enough'
- They don’t compare their beginning to someone else’s middle
They simply begin. And that makes all the difference.
Final Thoughts: This Is Possible for You, Too
If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, wondering if this whole freelance writing thing is legit—or if you could ever make it work—know this:
You don’t need to be special. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing to try.
Our students are living proof that with a little guidance and a lot of heart, nurses can build real, rewarding writing careers.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
Call to Action:
Ready to take your first step into freelance writing?
Download my ebook, *Design Your Dream Career as a Nurse Writer*, and learn how to start landing clients—with or without a portfolio.
