How To Grow Your Private Practice in Dietetics
When you decided to get into the field of dietetics, I’m sure you had big dreams and wanted to make a big impact. Registered Dietitians have an unmatched passion for changing people’s lives by investing SO MUCH in not just a client’s eating habits, but their overall wellness. Nutrition has the power to bring so much into this world, and your expertise, perspective, and vitality are exactly the vessels needed to make a HUGE difference.
Though all your goals and dreams for your career in dietetics are rooted in offering something to the world that makes an IMPACT, if you’re like many RDs, you don’t feel like that’s what you’re doing. Whether you work in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility, often dietitians are overworked, underpaid, and disrespected despite their extensive education and unparalleled focus and passion. This is why starting a nutrition private practice is essential for you to thrive in your dietetics career
You probably already know this and are pursuing your own private online practice. First of all, know that what you’re doing is amazing and the perfect way for you to bring joy, ambition, and impact back to your career! However, I know all too well the challenges of growing your RD practice. So many questions swirl through your head like Am I charging enough? Do I need liability insurance? And, most of all, How do I get more clients?
I struggled for years to get my practice off the ground, but along the way, I learned a lot that I want to pass on to YOU. Because you’re deserving of all the success you desire! So, I’m dedicating this post to how to grow your own thriving private practice:
How To Grow Your Private Practice in Dietetics
Know your audience intimately.
Before you do any research on your audience, do some soul-searching. What branch of nutrition are you passionate about? Who do you want to help more than anyone? Is your focus on gut health, intuitive eating, hormone disorders, weight loss, or something else? Niching down is actually really important to your private practice’s success. So, don’t think casting the widest net possible is the best way to gain clientele. You need to find the people that you are uniquely qualified to help!
Once you know who you want to serve, do more research on that audience. Dig deep into their lives, setbacks, and goals. Once you feel like you know them really well, determine how you can tailor your services to better accommodate that group. Becoming known as the RD for a specialized community will completely elevate your nutrition business and boost your chances of success.
Curate focused service offerings.
Once you know your target audience, you need to consider what that client base really needs. You may offer virtual consultations now, but think about what else you can do to solve their specific wellness challenges. Many RDs feel led to provide personalized meal plans, nutrition counseling, nutrition coaching, medical nutrition therapy, weight management programs, dietary education, nutrition analysis, and more. What are you passionate about? And, most important, what does your target audience NEED?
Build out those service offerings you think will be most beneficial to your clientele. This will help you niche down, establish credibility, hone your craft, and curate a private practice that’s MEANINGFUL and PROFITABLE.
Create and refine your website.
As I’ve mentioned before, you don’t need a big social media following to have a successful online practice, and when you’re just starting your practice you also don’t need a website right away. However, in order to grow your private practice over the long haul you will eventually need a website! The website is going to be the bridge between you and your clients. It’s your storefront! Whether you’re scheduling client sessions or selling digital product, a well-designed website will help you establish credibility and GROW.
Yes, there are lots of free website makers out there, but I highly recommend getting a professional who understands the nuances of the dietetics field. Hire someone like Lawson House who will take the time to understand your goals and unique service offerings. Your website needs to be user-friendly, representative of you, and targeted at your niche.
Set clear goals and expectations.
Next, you need to determine exactly where you want to see growth. That could mean different things for every RD! Plus, there are probably areas where you want to grow RIGHT NOW and other areas that would be great to get to in the future. So, before you continue with a plan, consider your business and your target audience and write out your short-term and long-term goals.
Maybe your biggest goals have to do with client volume or maybe it’s expanding monetization opportunities through digital products and online programs. Or, maybe it has to do with client retention and charging more! (Which is okay!) Whatever those objectives are, lay them all out and determine which goals are short-term and which are long-term. If you can, even break down some of these goals in smaller chunks.
Decide on your marketing strategy.
I think anyone starting a business in this day and age gets told they need an elaborate and time-consuming social media strategy or they can’t succeed. I tell all my colleagues (and I am telling you) that this is NOT the case. There are lots of ways to generate leads and find new clients that don’t involve being on Instagram every day if that’s not your thing. An online presence is 100% not essential to your business plan.
Don’t hear me incorrectly. Social media platforms can absolutely be an effective form of marketing; however, it’s not the only way. At the end of the day, you need to do something to reach your audience. You can focus on content marketing, community engagement, referrals, public speaking, collaborations, or even traditional local advertising. There are a lot of routes to take, so just pick the one that best aligns with your passions and skills.
Network with others in your industry.
Networking is huge. When you can connect with other professionals in your industry, you can create valuable relationships that can lead to steady referrals, consistent support, or eye-opening inspiration. Research industry events, conferences, and local meet-ups and decide if they’d be a good fit for you. Many are a great resource for all types of growth!
Don’t only look for events that fit your niche. This isn’t wise, because your goal isn’t to find competition but to find others in your industry who aren’t in your niche and can guide your target audience right to you. That makes sense, right? At these encounters, you’ll meet healthcare professionals, nutrition researchers, food industry representatives, educators, public health officials, nutrition entrepreneurs, keynote speakers, and, of course, other private practice dietitians. All can make valuable industry allies that help you elevate your business!
Seek mentorship and support.
Finding your way as a private practice Registered Dietitian isn’t easy. What we do is incredibly personal and there’s no other profession quite like it. That’s why I think so many of us RDs struggle at first. The one-size-fits-all small business programs just don’t work for us. There is no ONE way to do this! You really need a mentor who’s been through it and’s willing to help you develop a CUSTOM strategy. That’s how you go from a messy startup to a fully booked enterprise!
I led my own successful private practice for years before realizing I had a passion for showing other RDs how to do what I did. So, I offer two programs that’ll give you all the insights, education, support, and planning you need to grow your practice. The Foundation™ program is for those of you who are just getting started with your private practice and The Rise™ is for those of you who have been grinding for a while, but are having trouble taking your business to the next level.
You won’t find community and coaching like this. We’re high-touch and high-support and completely committed to helping you create a true legacy! You want a meaningful private practice, and that’s what I want for you too! No matter where you are in the process of establishing or growing your practice, I am here to help!
Invest in continuing education.
I believe strongly in the peerless value of registered dietitians, and that value comes from the extensive education RDs pursue. There’s a reason I don’t take on nutrition coaches. What sets you apart is your PASSION and COMMITMENT to wellness and nutrition research, training, and education. The more you invest in your education, the better suited you’ll be to serve the needs of your clients.
This could mean pursuing your master’s, or it could simply mean staying up to date on important workshops, conferences, and online courses. You could also invest time and money in reference materials, research books, and more! It looks different for every niche and private practice, so take time to consider how you can continually invest in your education, not only to boost your qualifications but to boost your confidence! Both will help you build a business!
Keep up with client engagement and follow-ups.
Your community is everything, and that’s extremely important to remember when you work with clients. You’ll experience some of the biggest gains when you can cultivate a client base that knows you care about them and believes in your unique process to improve their lives. They’ll refer more people, help you establish credibility, support your new offerings, and more. These relationships are invaluable!
You can curate this type of atmosphere by regularly interacting with potential clients, checking in on current clients, and following up with past clients. It shows them what I already know about all Registered Dietitians—that you care above all else about the health and wellness of your audience! A reputation like this will help you gain clients, maintain clients, and draw past clients back.
Collect and showcase success stories.
You are AMAZING at what you do. You impact people in a way that positively affects their entire lives. When people feel better and understand nutrition, they can see day-to-day relief from so much that’s hurting them, whether that be mental or physical. But, I don’t need to tell you this. You already know this! What you need to do is tell the world that your program is TRANSFORMATIVE. No matter how flowery your website copy is, nothing will motivate clients to sign up more than a truly inspiring story.
You have plenty of people who have been changed by your remarkable work, so reach out to them! Ask them for reviews and testimonials and ensure you’re showcasing those all over your website and anywhere else you market your work. There is nothing more persuasive than true life change when it comes to sales and growth!
Grow your practice and change lives with me!
It’s time to finally realize your dreams of having a thriving private practice in nutrition and dietetics. This isn’t just a wish that some RDs get lucky enough to stumble upon. You can create a business for yourself that serves your passions, makes an impact, and earns a profit. You just need the right plan and strategy.
It is my life’s mission to help other RDs find the success I have. As a dietitian business coach, I have the specialized know-how that’ll help you design and carry out a customized plan to take your practice to the next level. Together, we’ll work to reach any goals on your list!
I drive my RD family with kindness, empowerment, compassion, empathy, and SO MUCH SUPPORT! If this sounds like something you need, contact me today! I can’t wait to see how your mission changes the nutrition space forever!