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| Publication or Company |
Health Guru Media |
| Job Title |
Freelance Writer |
| Industry |
Internet/Online/New Media, Other Publishing |
| Salary |
Leave Blank |
| Benefits |
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| Job Duration |
Freelance/Project Basis |
| Job Location |
New York (Telecommuting OK), NY |
| Job Requirements |
JOB DESCRIPTION: We are looking for a writer that is capable of effectively researching a health topic, organizing the information, and presenting it in a manner thats both succinct and engaging.
The scripts need to be both credible and accurate, while keeping the tone light and engaging (making use of strong visuals, pop culture, and humor when appropriate). Its key that the writer understand the health sector well enough that he or she can take complex information on an illness from various sources, and condense it into a simple and complete presentation.
We are looking for a writer who has the capacity to create 20+ scripts for us each month. The topic focus will shift, but will center on whatever website we are currently creating. We will provide a list of topics that we want scripts for, which you will then research and write.
We will work closely with you, and give you feedback on the scripts as you send them in. Generally, we like to get scripts on a weekly basis, though there are times when we ramp up production, and may need more than usual number in a given timeframe.
JOB OPPORTUNITY: The key test for any potential writer is to see how well you can develop a script that fits with our formula.
To apply for this position, please write a script for our upcoming Baby Health site, on Tummy Time. We are only considering applicants that send a sample script on Tummy Time.
Tummy Time falls into the category of infant development, and is a crucial step for babies on the road to hitting key developmental milestones, such as crawling and walking. Your script should explain what tummy time is, why its important to your babys development, at what ages a baby should be doing it, and for how long/how frequently.
Please use reputable health sources for your research, and cite them in url format at the end of the script. If something is unclear, look it up on various sites and compare.
SCRIPT LENGTH: Each script should be 2-3 minutes (300 - 450 spoken words) long. Scripts longer than that tend to be longer than a consumer's attention span.
SCRIPT FORMAT:
Voiceover: Every video opens with a voiceover. This voiceover should be short (usually under 25 words) and pose the question that the video will answer, often with a contextualizing piece of info. Example: Migraine Headaches affect 28 million Americans each year, but what exactly makes a headache a migraine? (17 words).
Subsequent scenes: The first scene after the voiceover is usually the expert on screen, to establish credibility. The first sentence this expert says is usually a response to the question or comment posed in the voiceover.
General Pacing of Scripts: We cover certain segments with visual elements, and other segments will be our expert on camera. We try to keep each discrete segment to no more than 40 - 45 words, as this helps keep a steady flow of visual movement throughout the video, that helps keep viewers engaged. To help, we ask that you put a word count after each section (you can see how we do this in the sample script below)
SCRIPT BREAKDOWN: Our scripts are broken into pieces - alternating between a doctor on screen and a visual element. There can be several visual elements in a row, but we cant have the doctor on camera in 2 consecutive scenes (it just becomes one long scene with a weird cut in the middle).
The visual elements we most commonly intersperse with the doctor on screen are:
- B-Roll of something demonstrative (i.e. background film footage)
- An image that relates or demonstrates what is being said
- A typographical treatment for a list of symptoms or qualifications.
- An animation of an action being said by our expert.
It is important to note, however, that you need only put in a standing visual element, a gesture for our art director to consider. You do not need to overly concern yourself with art directing the script, just with the crafting of the language.
Each video should end with the doctor on screen, in a summation paragraph (no new info) culminating in a suggestion to see a doctor if you are concerned.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN OUR SCRIPTS: The following are the characteristics we are looking for in each script:
Straightforwardness Is the information presented in an intuitive fashion? Is the language used simple and easily understandable by a high school student?
Engaging Does the video hold the viewers attention? Is the video visually interesting and dynamic? Is the information presented from an interesting perspective?
Consumer-Driven Does the video approach the topic from a consumer perspective? Is the experts presentation easily understood without prior knowledge?
COMPENSATION:
We offer various rates for our scripts, which vary according to how research-intensive they are, with the range spanning from $25 to $75, and with most falling in the $40 to $50 range.
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
Here is a sample script, entitled: Making Weaning Work.
Intro Pregnancy Health Guru Graphic
Voiceover: How will you know when the time to stop breastfeeding has arrived? (25)
Doctor on camera
Weaning involves teaching your child to stop nursing. When your little one gets ALL nutrition from sources other than breast milk, this process is considered complete. (27)
B-roll of mother breastfeeding an older infant
The best time to wean your baby depends on many factors, including your childs continued desire to breastfeed and your own lifestyle choices. (23)
Graphic of the American Academy of Pediatrics logo, with labeled images reinforcing the stats below
If youre looking for a more concrete deadline, however, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding your baby ONLY breast milk for six months, then combining solid food with breast milk until your baby is AT LEAST one year old. (38)
Images of baby refusing a bottle and crying
When you do decide its time to wean your infant, undergo the process gradually, as abruptly withholding the breast can be both emotionally and physically traumatic. (26)
Doctor on camera
One such method is to simply skip a nursing session, and then another, until your baby eats only from a bottle or cup. (23)
B-roll of mom feeding an infant a bottle
With this approach, you can substitute your breast with pumped milk or formula, or, for an older infant, solid food. (20)
Image of mom setting a timer, then image of mom sitting down to breastfeed
You can also gradually shorten the time that your baby nurses. Cutting minutes slowly will help make the process easier for both of you. (24)
Images of moms playing with/reading to their infants
Another weaning method that can work is to postpone feedings and distract your infant with another activity, whether its reading a story or playing outside. (24)
Doctor on camera
Or, if your child is old enough to understand you, you can simply explain that youll feed him later, like at bedtime. (22)
Image of frustrated mom holding crying baby
But if all of your efforts to wean your baby are met with forceful resistance, its possible that the time is not yet right. (24)
Broll of mom dropping child off at daycare
Children who are adapting to changeslike starting daycareor those who have been sick may need more time to break the breast habit. (24)
Doctor on camera
Be patient, and know that weaning WILL happen in due time. Until then, enjoy the extra bonding with your baby! (20)
320 Total Words; About 2 minutes
References:
http:www.website.com\xxxxx
http:www.anotherwebsite.com\xxxx
http:www.websitewebsite.com\xxxx
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| About Our Company |
ABOUT HEALTH GURU MEDIA: Health Guru Media (HGM) has built the largest and most watched video health library online and leveraged it to create the fastest growing health website online. We are focused on providing health information to the 18-40 year old demographic in categories like pregnancy, STDs, and mental health extremely efficiently. In any given month more than 2 million people visit our website. You can see examples of our content at http://Pregnancy.Healthguru.com, http://College.Healthguru.com, and http://Sex.Healthguru.com.
Health Guru Library Stats:
-Over 1,200 health videos covering 75+ health conditions.
-50+ new videos per month
-160+ million video views in 2008
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