5 Reasons Speech-Language Pathologists Make the Best Medical Copywriters
Why do Speech and Language Pathologists stand out from the pack of freelance healthcare copywriters? Read on to discover how an SLP’s skill set makes us uniquely suited to be the best medical copywriters you can find.
We’re Communication Specialists
When you’re a Speech and Language Pathologist, it’s literally your job to have a deep, scientific understanding of language and communication. In order to become an SLP, you not only attain your Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders, but (in order to practice) you must also earn your Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Qualifying for this certification requires an SLP to complete hundreds of hands-on clinical hours with a variety of client populations (including kids in schools, adults in nursing homes, patients in acute care hospitals), followed by a clinical residency, supervised by an experienced clinician.
So, by the time an SLP is fully licensed, we’re well-versed in the theory and practice of language and communication. These skills are quickly sharpened and honed by the fast-paced world of treating real people with a wide variety of communication and language issues in the real world.
Copywriters in the medical and health and wellness niches also benefit from a strong background in communication science, as this knowledge is crucial in crafting content that cuts to the heart of what people really look for when researching healthcare and medical providers.
There’s an art and a science to standing out from the crowd in a busy online marketplace, and who better to help you rise above the competition than a medical copywriter with a background in the science of communication? We not only understand what you do, we know how to communicate your value and knowledge to your ideal clients.
2. We understand the brain (and how it processes language)
SLPs know a ton about the brain and how it functions to learn, store, and produce verbal and written language. Most of us readily self-identify as proud neuroscience nerds.
Medical SLPs learn quickly which strategies work best to communicate effectively with a wide variety of patients and their families. This can mean finding common ground, establishing rapport and selecting and training patients and families in communication tactics and devices to support verbal and written communication skills. It’s our ultimate goal as therapists to help people communicate the best they can.
We know that statements are easier for the brain to process than questions, that “yes” and ‘no” are some of the most powerful words we possess. We know there is an area of the brain responsible for understanding language and, if this area is damaged, a person can lose the ability to comprehend what is being said to them. And we know how to help.
Copywriting also relies heavily on the science of language and how our brains work. A good copywriter understands how our brains process written language and applies this knowledge to their writing in order to inspire a desired action.
Copywriters with a communication sciences background have an even deeper awareness of how to choose the perfect words. SLP copywriters working in the health and wellness niche already possess a deep knowledge base of medical and healthcare concepts and strategies. We know medical terminology and have experience in breaking down complex scientific information and concepts so that they can be easily understood by anyone. We’ve invested ourselves in higher education and training to promote effective communication in any situation we encounter.
It’s not difficult to see why these skills come in handy in copywriting, and why a medical SLP is more than just your average freelance health and wellness copywriter.
3. We’re excellent at sales and marketing
Any SLP worth our expensive professional initials is highly skilled at sales and marketing. If I had a nickel for every time I had to explain not only my job title but the variety of therapy services I provided, the benefits of those services, and to otherwise convince a patient why they needed to work with me, I’d be like Scrooge McDuck with a gigantic, shiny pile of loose change to dive into.
Working in long term care for a decade as an SLP, I developed ninja-level skills in my ability to get past a patient’s initial protestations of “but there’s nothing wrong with my speech” and “I’ve been swallowing just fine for 85 years” or “I don’t need to know what year it is. I’m RETIRED!”
Because I fully believed in the services I was championing, knowing that I could help people if I could find a way to overcome their initial reluctance to participate in therapy with me, I never had qualms about marketing myself and my services. When you’re selling something you know is valuable and can truly help someone, it’s a win-win situation.
With my past experience in high-end retail, I know which sales strategies are effective and which are not. I learned long ago that hard sell tactics were not for me. I also came to realize that the best salespeople truly believe in what they’re selling. This is why, as a medical copywriter, I make it my practice to only work with clients whose mission and ethics I believe in and support.
4. We value the power of words
As a medical SLP, I’ve treated many patients who have had their language taken away from them. Whether by a severe stroke or a traumatic brain injury. I’ve witnessed firsthand how such an event can impact a person’s life and the lives of their loved ones.
It’s been my mission as a therapist to work with people to help them communicate effectively because I know that language is what connects us to others in this world. It’s also how we get our needs met, state our preferences, and interact meaningfully with the world around us.
As a copywriter, I harness the power of words to connect people with the help and assistance they need in order to thrive. My goal as a copywriter is always to communicate with my audience effectively. My copywriting is infused with my knowledge of psychology, neurology and communication science, which inform everything from word choice to formatting.
5. We love helping people
Being a medical SLP is less a profession and more of a calling. It’s often a tough job--but we do it because we feel called to help others.
In my time as a medical SLP, that sometimes meant singing a patient’s favorite hymn to them, other times it meant feeding them if they weren’t able to feed themselves. What I loved most about my SLP career was that I felt honored to be able to help others, and to help them help themselves.
Copywriting is also a powerful tool for helping others. As an ethical, conscious copywriter, I only work with people and businesses I support and believe in, in order to help them amplify their mission to reach more people. I facilitate connections between those who provide help and those who need it. I use writing to inform, inspire, and motivate.
BONUS!! 6. We work well under pressure (and deadlines)
Delivering at a high level under constant pressure is a hallmark of those of us in healthcare professions. Uncertain hours, high caseloads, mountains of paperwork, sudden admits and discharges, and dealing with patients, families, nursing, and administration are all part of the daily grind of a medical SLP.
When you work in healthcare, you get really good at juggling. If you can’t find balance and grace under pressure, you won’t last very long in the medical field. Being a medical SLP involves tons of on-the-fly problem solving, the ability to keep cool under pressure and to always, ALWAYS complete your documentation when it’s due.
When you’re looking for a copywriter, don’t you want someone on your team who understands what it’s like to work in healthcare first-hand? Someone who can empathize with the unique issues and struggles you face and who can provide necessary assistance with lightening your load?
Not all freelance copywriters have such a uniquely complimentary background to their chosen niche. When you work with an SLP as your expert medical and healthcare copywriter, you can rest assured you’re getting a ton of bang for your buck because of the skills and knowledge we bring to the table.
Are you ready to see the proof in the pudding? Working with me as your expert healthcare copywriter is simple, fun and effective. Let’s get started! Claim your free 15 minute consult with me today!