Getting Started as a Nutritional Practitioner
If you are reading this, it is because you may be considering the opportunity of working as a Nutritional Practitioner. As a practitioner, who has been, in both the traditional health care system and natural health industry, for over 10 years, I know first-hand how hard it can be to get started and stay going strong. The following 5 tips will ensure you immediate success, within your new practice.
1) Complete your Education. Edison offers the finest nutritional courses around. I personally took this course and finished with a great base of knowledge and experience. You must complete the Diploma in Holistic Nutrition program in order to offer the best possible advice to your clients. The more you know, the better you are able to help others! I highly encourage you to always be learning and upgrading. Edison has a variety of programs and courses for those ready and eager to continue their education. I personally have not been without a course on the go for over 7 years and I truly believe this adds to my success as a practitioner.
2) Obtain your Registration and Insurance
Nothing says you’re a professional, more than obtaining a professional designation, with a reputable governing body. This will also allow you to obtain appropriate insurance coverage as a practitioner, which is one the most important things each nutritional practitioner should have in place before they begin consulting.
3) Take a Business Course
The Business of Wellness Consulting Course, offered through Edison Institute of Nutrition, has been carefully designed to teach you how to effectively run your nutritional practice. This course covers:
- Understanding what your clients want, program and service development
- How to increase program compliance
- How to market yourself
- How to run corporate programs and how to write and use a business plan.
There is no other program out there that compares to this program through Edison!
4) Be specific
When you are looking to build your practice, I encourage you to understand who you intend to work with (specific demographic) and how you are going to specifically gain their attention. As practitioners, we often, me included, get wrapped up in all the things we can offer our potential clients. The problem lies in offering too much and over explaining what we can do. Keep it simple. Know your demographic and be specific in your marketing.
5) Establish and maintain a professional Image
How others see you will impact whether or not you become a busy nutritional practitioner. I often have a waiting list for programs and I say to those who may have to wait, “If you were to get work done on your home would you want the contractor who is booked a month in advanced or the contractor who can start today?” I can tell you which one is the better contractor! The same is true for a good practitioner.
Although it is never my goal to make anyone wait an extended period of time for a program, the fact that I have a waiting list, ensures my clients that I just might be worth the wait. I carefully manage my professional image on a regular basis! I make sure my website, emails, blog, and social media sites all relate the appearance I intend for others to see. This takes a great deal of time and effort, but, can go a long way in ensuring you are putting forth the best possible image of yourself, as a professional. If you are not tech savvy, I encourage you to work with a professional, such as a marketing specialist.
Becoming the best practitioner you can be takes a great deal of time and effort. The more you know, the better your chances. If you wish for long term success, I highly encourage you to consider the Business of Wellness Consulting Course. It will help you lay a solid foundation for success, increasing your chances of long term survival and a rewarding career in Nutrition.
Yours in good heath
Alisa Herriman RNCP ROHP CPCC
