Healthcare content writing tips for meaningful engagement

Messaging

Effective healthcare content isn’t just about writing a blog; it’s about building trust, increasing visibility, and solving real problems for real people. When done right, it helps your audience feel informed, supported, and confident in your expertise.

In this article, we’re sharing seven actionable healthcare content writing tips to help you create accurate, engaging, and brand-aligned content that drives results.

To learn more about engaging your audience with effective content writing, contact Best Friend Jack today.

Tip 1: Understand Your Audience in Healthcare Marketing

Audience Segments: Patients, Providers, and Payers

In healthcare and health tech, your audience usually falls into one of three main categories, patients, providers (such as doctors and clinicians), and payers (these include health plans, health systems, and large self-insured employers)

Each group has its own values, challenges, and priorities. Knowing which group you’re speaking to will guide both your message and where you share it.

Finding Out Where Your Audience Gets Information

Start by identifying your audience’s trusted sources.

  • For patients, look at patient advocacy groups they rely on.
  • For enterprise audiences, research what conferences or associations they attend.
  • Explore online communities and conversations they participate in.

Get Insights from Sales Teams and Analytics

Your sales team is often on the front line, talking to customers daily. Their insights are invaluable for understanding customer needs and concerns.

In addition, look at your website or app analytics to see:

  • What content people engage with
  • Where they drop off
  • Which topics generate the most interest

Using Market Research to Guide Content Strategy

When in doubt, ask. Surveys, interviews, and other market research tools can help you uncover what your audience values most and the kind of content they want from you.

Tip 2: Write Accurate and Engaging Content to Build Trust with Your Audience

Leveraging Internal Experts and Thought Leaders

In healthcare marketing, accuracy is everything. Lean on your internal team of salespeople, product specialists, and medical providers who can serve as credible voices. Share their expertise consistently on LinkedIn, YouTube, or other platforms to build trust.

Avoiding Over-Reliance on Generic AI Tools

While generative AI can produce a lot of content quickly, it often creates generic, lowest-common-denominator material. In high-stakes topics like healthcare, people want their questions answered by a human being, not just a search engine.

Making Your Content Actionable

Always ask: What’s in it for the audience? Avoid turning your content into a sales pitch. For example, if you’re writing for patients, an effective headline could be Seven Ways to Take Control of Your Chronic Condition Today.

For the enterprise space, you could use something like Your Roadmap to Reducing Readmissions with Predictive Analytics,

Actionable content makes your advice relevant and immediately useful.

Creating Headlines and Hooks That Add Value

Your headline should promise a clear benefit. The hook—your opening lines—should pull readers in by showing them exactly what they’ll gain.

Tip 3: Write with Clear, Accessible Language

Use the Fry Test for Readability

The Fry Test measures sentence length and complexity to make sure your content is simple enough for any patient to understand. Writing at a sixth-grade reading level maximizes accessibility.

Simplify Medical Jargon

People are busy. They don't have time to read paragraphs upon paragraphs of information. Never reach for a ten-cent word when a five-cent word will do. For example, replace “utilize” with “use,” or “hypertension” with “high blood pressure” when appropriate.

Use AI to Improve Accessibility

AI tools can help you rewrite complex content into friendlier, more accessible language while keeping it accurate.

Tip 4: Avoid Generic AI Content

When you’re writing, think like a designer: make your content scannable with clear subheadings, bullet points, and concise sections. For long-form pieces, consider adding a table of contents.

Refresh your key content periodically to ensure accuracy and relevance. You don’t have to publish something new every week, but regular updates keep you in the conversation.

Tip 5: Keep Yourself In The Conversation with Relevant Blogs

A blog is a great way to monitor and engage with your industry or therapeutic area. Regular posts allow you to contribute to ongoing discussions and position your brand as a thought leader.

Tip 6: Boost Your Content’s Visibility Without Sacrificing Value Through SEO

SEO helps you get found, but the quality of your content keeps people engaged. Avoid keyword stuffing and focus on creating value.

Use long-tail keywords for specificity, such as:

  • Mental health care for teenagers with anxiety
  • Health IT systems for small practices

Structure your content with clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points, so search engines (and readers) can easily understand it.

Tip 7: Align Your Content with Your Brand Voice and Positioning

Consistency in tone, personality, and messaging builds recognition and trust with your audience. Whether your voice is clinical or lighthearted, make sure it’s uniform across platforms.

Effective Formats for Your Content

Use these three content formats to elevate your healthcare marketing:

  • Interactive infographics: Great for data-heavy topics like healthcare cost savings. Let users plug in their own data for personalized insights.
  • Short-form videos: Perfect for explainer videos or tutorials that quickly tell your story.
  • Case studies: Showcase real-world results like cost savings, employee retention improvements, or increased satisfaction.

Redefine Your Healthcare Content Strategy with Best Friend Jack

At Best Friend Jack, we help healthcare brands like yours create content that connects, informs, and inspires action. It’s not about more content, it’s about better content.

Get in touch with us today. Let’s refine your healthcare content, engage your audience, and get you found by the right patients.

Reed Perkins
Creative Director, Best Friend Jack
As a creative leader in healthcare and health-tech marketing for nearly two decades, I help companies build meaningful brands that drive growth.

Ready to grow your
health-tech brand?

Best Friend Jack understands the challenges and opportunities confronting health-tech clients at every stage of the funnel. Get in touch for a complimentary brand audit today.