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If you have published articles in professional journals, you have probably learned that, although prestigious in nature, they do not result in many new patients or referrals. Unfortunately, all that hard work does not do much for your practice. However, writing for a local newspaper or a national or local magazine can do wonders for increasing your patient base.

You can become a local paper's medical resource after just one article. Once you have written for the newspaper and they like your style, they will continue to contact you as an expert source on future articles about medical topics.

Writing that first article can be tough. You must choose a topic that will appeal to the audience of the publication without being controversial. For example, writing an article about euthanasia may not go over big in a senior citizen's magazine. Your topic must also be timely. Discussing the harmful effects of sun exposure is of no interest to people during colder climates. Finally, make sure that your article is informative. Do not tell people what to do; provide recent studies, research and examples that prove your point.

Once you have selected your topic and have written your article, you must pitch it to an editor. Do this with a short letter called a query. A query is your sales pitch. This is where you must dazzle the editor with your article. Provide a brief overview of your article without giving too much away. Use the beginning of the letter to discuss the most important aspects of your article. Then, explain why you wrote this article and how it will benefit the editor's readers. Mention your qualifications and provide a number where you can be reached. After sending the query letter, you should find out in a few weeks whether or not your article has been selected.

Writing articles for such publications gets your name out to a large sector of the public. Doctors have gotten many referrals from writing just one article in a local newspaper. These published articles can be displayed through the office in addition to your diplomas and certifications.

But don't assume anything you write will be published. It often takes a few tries before a publication will accept your article. Most people will not get published on their first shot. If you do, however, look at it as a blessing and make the most of its referral powers.