[00:00:00] If you're looking to grow your business as a registered dietitian, you've come to the right place. If you're not sure what to do or what steps to take next so that you can create flexibility and freedom in your life, then you're going to learn a lot from tuning into our podcast here at Dietitian Boss.
[00:00:17] I'm Libby Rothschild, the founder of Dietitian Boss, a fellow [00:00:20] registered dietitian and business owner. And in our podcast, I share the highs and the lows, and I talk all about how to grow your business. Get it started and I interview our clients to date. We've had over 200 interviews from clients who share their journey on our podcast dietitian boss.
[00:00:37] Libby: Welcome to the dietitian boss podcast. [00:00:40] I'm Libby Rothschild. And today we're diving into a topic that every dietitian needs, how to attract new business and manage clients effectively. Let me ask you, are you tired of relying solely on referrals or spending hours on social media to find new clients?
[00:00:56] Libby: Imagine having a steady stream of clients who value [00:01:00] your expertise and trust you even before their first session. By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with an actionable plan to grow your client base and retain them without expensive ads or overwhelming tech. Plus, I'll share how our library membership can help you make these strategies.
[00:01:18] Libby: Can help you take these strategies [00:01:20] even further. Let's get started. First, let's clarify what client management really means and why it's crucial for your success. So maybe you're wondering, what exactly is client management? And why is it the foundation of a thriving dietitian business? At its core, client management is about building strong relationships, [00:01:40] delivering high quality service and staying top of mind, even after the session ends.
[00:01:45] Libby: You might be wondering, why does this matter? Well, when clients feel supported, they're more likely to stick with you and refer others. In fact, studies show satisfied clients are over 70 percent more likely to refer someone [00:02:00] they know. So you want to start simple. The actionable step is you can use a client management system, even using Google Sheets to start to track session notes.
[00:02:11] Libby: Follow up notes and personal preferences, right? So just having a simple system using spreadsheets can help you with small [00:02:20] touches to make clients feel valued and increased loyalty and also help you stay organized. Now that we understand the importance of client management, I want to discuss how to build your initial client base.
[00:02:32] Libby: So you're starting from scratch, or maybe you're rebranding. Building your client base might feel overwhelming, but [00:02:40] trust me, it doesn't have to be. You want to leverage networking and partnerships. Offering free nutrition talks at local gyms, coworking spaces, or even wellness centers. And this helps you showcase your expertise and connect with potential clients.
[00:02:56] Libby: You want to partner with other health professionals, like physical [00:03:00] therapists or mental health counselors to create mutual referral pipelines. And you also want to set a clear goal. So, for example, this month aim for 1 new partnership. So, you might reach out to nearby wellness centers and promote a short ask the dietitian Q and a session.
[00:03:19] Libby: [00:03:20] For example, have you done any of these activities before? So I want you to have an actionable tip from this conversation. I want you to create a referral program. Offer current clients a discount or bonus for each new client they refer. It's a win win that builds trust and expands your reach. So now [00:03:40] that you know how to build your client base, let's talk about leveraging social media to amplify your visibility.
[00:03:46] Libby: So social media is a fantastic tool for reaching more people. And if you've been following me for a while or listening for a while, you know, you're a dietitian boss. We teach and recommend social media, but it's important to use it strategically so it doesn't [00:04:00] take over your day. Initially, you want to choose the right platform and identify where your target clients are most active.
[00:04:06] Libby: Instagram and Facebook are great starting points. You want to share consistent, targeted content. If you specialize in prenatal nutrition, you want to post tips like what to eat during your first trimester, and [00:04:20] that's going to build trust and show your expertise. I want you to commit to posting 2 to 3 times per week and actively engage with your audience by responding to comments and DMS.
[00:04:30] Libby: The social media is powerful. We talk about it a lot on this podcast, but let's not overlook the impact of live or virtual events like workshops or [00:04:40] webinars. Offering free workshops and webinars are great opportunities to get your name out there and start building trust so you can also provide immediate value while showcasing your expertise.
[00:04:52] Libby: You can host an educational event, like run a webinar titled meal planning made simple, where you share actionable tips. And then you can [00:05:00] capture leads, meaning people who might be interested in your products or services. You can use a simple signup form like Google Forms or Eventbrite to gather names and emails for follow up from this event.
[00:05:12] Libby: So during the workshop that you're going to run, you can offer limited time discounts. For your 1 on 1 sessions or for a group [00:05:20] program, and you could put a time on it. So for the next 48 hours, you'll offer 50 off or something like that. I just made that up and this creates urgency and can encourage signups to help you get the ball roll.
[00:05:30] Libby: Now, you don't have to do that long term, but that strategy can help you get the ball rolling and feel more confident about how you position your services and products. So you might be [00:05:40] wondering. Do I need a website for all this? So let's talk about that next. So considering a website when you're ready is important, but I emphasis on when you're ready.
[00:05:51] Libby: So here's the truth. You don't need a website to start attracting clients. Many successful dietitians grow their business through social media and [00:06:00] networking alone. Some of our successful clients start with networking and use social media later, where other clients of ours have been able to use social media alone to attract a full client base and reach all of their goals.
[00:06:13] Libby: You want to keep it simple. When you're ready, create a basic site with your services, pricing, testimonials, and a [00:06:20] contact form. You don't need the website to be fancy. You can always improve the website with time and as you grow your business. So, start with a landing page if a full site feels overwhelming.
[00:06:31] Libby: And as you grow and earn more revenues and profits, you can build out your website further. So the first version is going to be fairly [00:06:40] bare bones and that's okay. With the foundational strategies covered, let's now discuss some common mistakes to avoid. The common pitfalls that hold you back would be over reliance on ads.
[00:06:53] Libby: So too many dietitians that I've worked with jump into ads that paid advertisement before they maximize free [00:07:00] strategies like referrals and social proof. The worst thing you can do is use ads when you don't even have any success stories, because ads are going to work after you've already had successful clients and you have a good retention rate in your business, meaning most of your clients continue working with you long term.
[00:07:17] Libby: So it's really hard to make ads work if you're very new in [00:07:20] business and you still need to get the initial strategies of business rolling. For example, you need to understand how long the average customer stays with you. Another big mistake includes neglecting followups. So a quick email or DM to check in after a session can spark ongoing engagement or prompt a referral.
[00:07:38] Libby: So the actionable tip here would be to set [00:07:40] reminders to follow up with new clients a week after their session. Ask how they're doing. You can even offer a next step. Now that we've recapped everything we've covered. I want to map out your next steps.
[00:07:53] Libby: So here's a quick recap. Client management builds relationships, and you can track follow ups even using a [00:08:00] simple Google Sheet. Networking. You can form a referral pipeline, meaning using the network of people that you know in your local community. That's really powerful. Social media. You can share consistent, targeted tips to help grow your brand awareness.
[00:08:15] Libby: Workshops provide value and capture leads, build your brand [00:08:20] reputation. Websites are optional at the start and you can add them later and they grow with time. Avoiding pitfalls. So focus on free strategies. Uh, and then finally, we have a lot of great support from clients, like networking and consistent follow ups after sessions and working with clients and potential clients.
[00:08:36] Libby: So are you ready for more support at this point? Do you want to take these [00:08:40] actions, take these ideas and put them into action? I want to invite you to join our library membership for exclusive tools, templates, and a community of dietitians refining their marketing systems. Go to dietitianboss. com to learn more.
[00:08:53] Libby: And if you found this helpful, please share and email us or tag us on social media at [00:09:00] dietitianboss and let us know that this episode resonated until next time, keep growing. Driving and showing your face.
[00:09:07] Looking for support to grow your dietitian business or even get started. I invite you to join the library, our monthly affordable membership that shows you exactly what to do every step of the way so that you can create [00:09:20] the business of your dreams. Not sure if it's the right time. The membership gives you an option to.
[00:09:26] Go at your own pace. We have modules, a roadmap to show you exactly what to do, and monthly live calls, as well as new content that we release every single month based on requests. Inside of the library, we have four stages of business. So [00:09:40] whether you come in getting started or you want to enter the membership and grow or scale your business, we have the appropriate resources for you and our team, including myself, available to answer your questions.
[00:09:50] Head on over to dietitianboss. com and check out the library today. We'd love to see you there.
