Finding and retaining clients for your holistic nutrition practice is not hard but it does take work and time to cultivate.
There are many factors, to consider, when establishing a growing holistic nutrition practice.
As a holistic nutrition school, Edison Institute provides you with the required training, to complete your diploma in holistic nutrition and become a holistic nutritionist.
Once you have established your practice, what is the next step?
Let’s take a look at some factors to consider, in order to run a successful practice.
Follow Up with Your Clients
As you focus on growing your business, a big part of your nutrition business plan includes seeking out and marketing to new clients. But, it is just as important not to forget about your existing clients. Retaining a client you already have saves you time, energy, and money, as you have already established that connection.
You can rely on existing customers for testimonials, referrals, and the customer base for your established practice.
- Follow up with clients after their appointments, reminding them that you are available to answer any of their questions.
- Send email reminders about appointments to your clients, and schedule a follow up email between visits.
- Check in with clients you have not seen in a while, to let them know that you are still available, if they need your services.
Build a Referral Network with Other Practitioners
Seek out neighbourhood practices that complement your own.
Fostering relationships with other practitioners, by referring clients their way, can mean that they will be more open to referring people to you.
If you are new to the area, this is a great way to take advantage of pre-existing local clientele.
Often, other allied practitioners like naturopathic doctors, massage therapists, homeopaths, acupuncturists, and others can be great sources of referrals.
Let the local clinics know that there is a registered holistic nutritionist in the area in case they have requests.
A local referral is far more likely to become a repeat client.
Take Your Clients Seriously at Your Holistic Nutrition Practice
A client, reaching out in an emergency, is an opportunity to build a relationship by being there for them when you’re most needed.
If you don’t take the opportunity, the client will likely seek help elsewhere, and may never return to you again.
Take the time to be available to your clients in their hour of need.
A client, who sees you going above and beyond, is much more likely to share their positive experience with friends.
Build A High Quality Website For Your Holistic Nutrition Practice
Your website is often the first point of contact for a new client, so make it a good one.
It pays to have the most up-to-date design features on your website. It suggests, to potential clients, that your practice is cutting edge and relevant.
Your website should be user friendly and easy to read, on any device, and should be a source of information for both current and potential clients.
If you have an online booking system, it should be compatible with the most recent technology and hassle free.
Write Blog Articles for Your Holistic Nutrition Practice
On the topic of staying relevant, be sure to keep your blog up to date by posting articles at least once per month. Nothing says out of date like a website with articles that haven’t been updated since 2016. Blogging also helps with SEO, which boosts your online presence, making you more visible to new clients.
Another way to grow your holistic nutritionist practice is to become a source for the latest and most accurate information, in your industry, for your readers.
Your online presence helps you connect to the community, in which your practice is located.
Share local events, engage with community pages, and use social media to promote your blog posts or make announcements about your practice.
Monitor your online presence, engaging with clients who leave you a review or ask questions through your sites.
Your efforts will reward you by showing the community that you are available, listening to their questions and concerns, and a vital source of information for them, in your field.
Build a New Client Pipeline for Your Holistic Nutrition Practice
Today, with social media, it doesn’t have to cost you thousands of dollars to market your services to your community. Also, when it comes to finding new clients, your greatest resource is your current clientele. Examine trends in the clients you already service and the area where you practise:
- Age, demographic, gender, or profession can suggest to you your target audience
- The area, in which you are located, may have a lot to do with who your clients will be
- Marketing: build a network in the community where you have built your business
- Host workshops, or seminars, for the community, in efforts to find new clients
- Find listing opportunities in local directories, especially online, and join local groups on social media.
Don’t miss any opportunity for media exposure, whether it’s a story about your new practice opening, offering advice as a registered holistic nutritionist for a news story, or simply doing your research into the media outlets available to you.
Print material is a more expensive advertising media, but if you focus your efforts, you may see good results. Create an informative flyer, introducing your practice to the reader, targeting areas where you may not be visible; such as, new builds in the neighbourhood, local businesses that have large numbers of employees in your demographic, or wider areas that you may service on their way into the city. Print business cards to give to existing clients so that they can promote you to their friends.
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Ask Clients For Referrals & Reviews For Your Holistic Nutrition Practice
One of the best ways to find new clients, and keep them, is by having them give you a personal testimonial. Let existing clients know that you are accepting new clientele, and encourage referrals with a rewards program. If a client thanks you for your service, encourage them to write an online review.
Dedicate a section of your website to customer reviews and check them regularly, responding if needed. Run a contest on social media in which you ask your clients to share a review or a post with their friends.
Have A Flexible Schedule In Your Holistic Nutrition Practice
Be available for appointments when your clients want them. This means that a nine to five day may not work for you. Offer appointment times that cater to those who need to visit after business hours.
This may involve building your staff, in order to cover a longer workday, or coming in, on the weekend, to service appointments. If you are not available when your clients need you, they will go elsewhere.
Above All, Deliver Excellent Service To All of Your Clients
A friendly and inviting practice will garner more interest and attract more clients. Post pictures of your staff on your website, so that your clients see the faces of the practitioners they will meet. Personalize your website with actual photos from your office rather than stock photography.
Train your team to be friendly and inviting, as they will often be the first point of contact a new client has with your business.
And finally, show your clients that you are the top choice by keeping up-to-date in your industry through Edison Institute of Nutrition.
Contact Edison Institute of Nutrition Today
Graduates, of Edison Institute, become Certified Holistic Nutritionists in private practice, corporate environments, or clinical settings. Our programs combine the latest scientific research with traditional practices, to provide you with a wide-ranging perspective on nutrition. We also provide continuing education courses for existing practitioners. Contact us today to explore the program that works best for you.
