How I Would Start My Online Nutrition Business (If I Could Start Over).
I'll be totally honest with you, If I could start over from day one of starting my online business - there's a lot that I would do differently!
Now of course, hind-sight is 20/20... but I want to pass on some of the tips and bits of advice I wish I could have had back when I started. If you follow these tips, strategies and bits of advice - I can guarantee this will save you time, energy, stress and indecision when you start your journey today.
Disclaimer - this is from the perspective of a Dietitian Nutritionist - but these tips also apply if you're a health coach, personal trainer, yoga teacher, or anyone in the nutrition/fitness space that is growing an online business.
I'll start with some PRACTICAL tips, and then get into some MINDSET shifts. I know some of you probably struggle with one more than the other, so I wanted to include both. Plus, I think BOTH are equally important, and can be equally hindering if they're lacking in your own journey.
So let's begin.
PRACTICAL strategies I would implement if
I could start over from scratch...
This one is one that took me a while to get on the bandwagon with, and dang, do I wish I would have started on this sooner! Honestly, if I could go back in time... I venture to say this would be my TOP priority beyond creating free content online (whether it be through a blog, YouTube, Instagram, a Podcast, etc). Online courses are LIFE changing. Here's why:
Think of creating a course like creating a nutrition program that can run without you. Where you're actually LESS stressed and pressed by feeling like you have to take on a ton of clients to make an income, and yet you have no cap on the amount of clients who can work with you, and benefit from your guidance. That's pretty amazing right?
While I LOVE 1:1 coaching - I find that there are some caveouts to it at times. Sometimes, it's tough to retain clients due to cost or time to commit to weekly/biweekly coaching calls. Life is busy! - With a course... they can do the lessons/work on their OWN time. And as for cost, while I don't recommend having a "cheap" course - it will likely be a lot more affordable than 6-12 months of coaching with you. (If it's not, you may want to re-evaluate your prices and charge a price that makes you and the client excited to show up!!)
I could not recommend Amie's Online Course Academy more if you need more guidance on building an online course of your own. I'm happy to share my experience with you if you have any questions (Follow me on the Dark Blue Nutrition YouTube channel - and let me know if you'd like me to do a full review!). But honestly - her course speaks for itself. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny in my humble opinion. It's a must if you want to be an online creator/nutrition entrepreneur.
Also - if you want to see the online course I created after completing OCA - you can check it out right here!
2. Tell Everyone I Knew I'm Accepting Clients.
Maybe this sounds like a "well duh" moment for some. I mean, typically when we think dietitian entrepreneur, we think "private practice", aka taking 1:1 clients. But hey, not ALL dietitian entrepreneurs go this route.
I also say this because often it can be intimidating to get the word out there about "taking clients" if you're brand new to business, or just starting out. Listen, I get it! The first few calls you may be uncomfortable - but once you realize you're talking to another human being who needs YOUR help - your worries and anxiety will wash away.
But here's the thing, you can't get clients if no one knows you're taking them. Promote it loud and proud! Tell everyone you know!
3. Prioritize recognize what skills you lack (marketing, online business basics, coaching, learning online software - and take a course or get a. coach to help you!)
If you're a dietitian, or even another type of nutrition or fitness professional, chances are you took some college, or at least got a certification! The problem is, often times, school doesn't set us up fully for being a business-minded entrepreneur. It sucks, I know. You don't necessarily jump for joy thinking about spending more money on your education AFTER college, but hear me out. You don't have to go back to school to get an MBA in order to know how to run a business. Courses can take you from point A to point B quickly - and while they can vary in price point, you don't have to enroll in school again to get access to them (I promise!). I think one of the most valuable things you can do as a future business owner - is recognize your weak areas and/or the skills you want to improve upon and take a course on the topic!
Here's some examples of courses I took:
How to Create a Successful Online Business (without being sales!)
Precision Nutrition's Coaching Certification (16 CEUs + great tool to learn the art of behavior change & coaching!)
This isn't to say YOU have to take all of these courses to be successful - but I do think it's important to reflect on where you could use help. No, you don't have to hire a business coach for 10k/month. No, you shouldn't spend ALL your time educating yourself. You should take action too! But honestly - taking these online courses really accelerated my journey, and my confidence when learning the ins and outs of online business.
MINDSET shifts I would implement
if I could start over from scratch...
1. Get Over The Imposter Syndrome Trap.
Did you know the more intelligent you are, the more likely you are to experience imposter syndrome. Funny how that works right?
Don't let the fear of not knowing enough hold you back from being a successful business owner. You can do this!! Trust me, if you made it through college, passed the RD Exam, and managed to muster through with only a few mental breakdowns (or, a lot... I'm not too proud to admit to it - haha!) - Then you can DEFINITELY do this. You only "fail" yourself if you give up. Don't give up.
2. Stop thinking "this has to be perfect before I start" - Start before you're ready!
Any other perfectionists out there? Yep - I see you! You're in dietetics so I know you've got a perfectionist bone it you. Done is better than perfect. It's harder to steer a parked car than one in motion. Take action, and course correct as needed. Don't sit and ponder an online business forever without doing ANYTHING to move the needle towards your dream.
I know from experience just how much time I wasted spinning my tires and overthinking everything. Don't let perfectionism stop you from just DOING the dang thing.
Just trust me on this one - You'll be better off for it.
3. Remember EVERYTHING Is Figureoutable!
If you haven't ready Marie Forleo's Book, "Everything is Figureoutable" - you need to! She really drives this concept home. You DO NOT need to have everything figured out at any given moment to be successful at what you do. Just like the last tip. In fact, having a flexible mindset is absolutely vital when you're in the ever-changing world on online business.
Remember that even if you don't know how to do x or y now, it doesn't mean it's possible for you to figure it out. You are a problem solver. You are a rockstar! Don't give up just because it's intimidating or outside your skillset right now.
So what's your #1 takeaway from this? I'd love to hear from you!!
If you want to dive deeper into this topic - download my Online Nutrition Entrepreneurs Resource Guide where I share my favorite courses, books, strategies and software to make your first $1000 online.
You can also follow me on YouTube where I share nutrition tips and do some diet myth busting!
Trust me, I am still learning too! But I hope some of these tips helps you. If you have any further questions - you can reach out to me at darkbluenutrition@gmail.com.
xo
Katie
**Disclaimer - some links are affiliate! All are products and course I have taken, and absolutely LOVE!
