I was a new dietitian working at a local hospital and one thing was clear, clinical wasn’t for me. Although I knew from the start it wouldn’t be my forever job, I didn’t expect it to be the catalyst that inspired me to get started as a nutrition writer.
Long story short, I no longer work at the hospital and have shifted my focus to writing for other health professionals, supplement companies, and wellness brands.
So, you want to get started as a nutrition writer too? Having done this myself, I’m excited to share 5 key steps I took to catapult myself into the world of nutrition writing as a dietitian.
These steps helped me land 3 clients and make over $1.2K in my first month while working only 10-12 hours a week.
1. Learn SEO Basics
Ever wondered why certain articles or blog posts pop up on the first page of a google search? The answer is search engine optimization (SEO). This is what gets content seen and not buried on page five, where no one will ever click on it.
You don’t need to be an SEO expert to start writing quality content, but it’s helpful to know some basics. Clients look for writers who will create content that drives targeted viewers to their business page.
Not only is this skill valuable to clients, but it also means your writing will be read by larger audiences. I don’t know about you personally, but if I’m spending hours crafting a well-researched article, I want people to actually read it, relate to it, and feel inspired by it!
There are plenty of free SEO resources available online. Do a quick google search, read blogs, and listen to podcasts. I found this podcast by The Unconventional RD super informative: Top 10 On-Page SEO Mistakes New Bloggers Make.
Keep in mind there are many layers to SEO that take time to learn. Learn the basics and keep moving forward in your new nutrition writing business. In other words, don’t get stuck here! Your SEO knowledge will improve as you write and work with clients.
2. Build a Portfolio
Starting a portfolio can feel like a daunting task, but it’s essential to get started as a nutrition writer. Why do you need a portfolio? Clients need to see that you can string words together into complete, coherent sentences. If you can do this, you’ve got a real shot at this thing.
The truth is, your starting portfolio isn’t going to be the most impressive work you will ever do, but it doesn’t need to be. Your work will improve as you continue to write, and then you can update your portfolio to reflect that growth.
I asked dietitians on a Facebook group if I could write a free guest post for their blogs to build my portfolio. Several dietitians messaged me for a guest post, and I narrowed it down to two. In addition to writing two free guest posts, I dug through my dietetic internship projects and used a couple for my portfolio.
Looking back, I realize that my guest posts were written more like academic papers than blog posts. Several articles later, I’m finding my authentic voice, which is way more engaging and relatable.
Chances are you already have written materials you can use for your portfolio. Consider using blog posts, internship projects, or newsletters you’ve written in the past. You may find that you don’t need to write for free and you already have two or three writing samples for your portfolio.
3. Create an Upwork Account
Initially, I was a little hesitant to start looking for writing gigs on Upwork. I’d heard that most jobs posted there don’t pay well and that Upwork takes a certain percentage of your pay.
While this is all true, Upwork is where I found my first three clients within a month of nutrition writing, and the pay was appropriate for a new writer.
To land clients on Upwork, you’ll need writing samples and a cover letter. I use the same cover letter for each job I apply for and then tweak it to fit the job description. I strongly believe that my cover letter is the reason I have had success using Upwork.
Take the time to craft an original cover letter that briefly explains your experience and how you can bring value to the client.
As I become more familiar with Upwork, I’m realizing there are ways to determine which jobs to apply for and which jobs are likely not worth my time. Last week, I landed my highest paying client yet off of Upwork.
4. Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Even if nutrition writing isn’t your full-time job, you still want to let your network know what services you are offering. Treat your nutrition writing service as a business from the start. Update your LinkedIn profile to explain what you do and how you benefit your clients.
LinkedIn is a professional platform where you can show off your work to potential clients. Share your published writing on your page and encourage conversation and engagement around the article topic.
Don’t be too shy to post testimonials from your clients here too! Remember, even if your posts aren’t getting tons of likes or comments, people are watching what you’re doing and may think of you for future jobs.
Additionally, be sure to genuinely engage in other professional’s posts too. Contributing to conversations and sharing valuable insights on others posts is a great way to establish connections and build trust.
The best part of LinkedIn is that this is where clients find you. I gained two clients from LinkedIn during my second month of nutrition writing. If I hadn’t announced my services and started sharing my work on LinkedIn, neither of these clients would have reached out.
5. Determine Your Rate
In all honesty, my first two clients told me what they would pay me, and I accepted it without negotiating. I believed their offer was fair and was thrilled that someone was willing to pay me to write for them! My third client asked me for my rate and actually ended up offering me a little more.
Be open to accepting lower offers in the beginning. If they are willing to offer ongoing work and are pleasant to work with, use this as an opportunity to get your foot in the door and improve your writing.
It seems like everywhere you look writers are asking for drastically different rates. Some writers charge per word and others charge by the hour. I chose to charge by the hour and determined a rate I felt was acceptable for a beginner knowing good and well that rate would increase with time and experience.
In my third month of writing, I am intentionally looking for better paying clients. Although I am a new nutrition writer, I have realized that many of these articles take longer to write than I initially expected, therefore I’ve adjusted my rate to accommodate that.
The good news is I’m finding that nutrition writing has the potential to be a lucrative source of income.
Key Takeaways
Getting started as a nutrition writer can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t get stuck on getting started. You’re probably not going to have the perfect portfolio or know SEO like the back of your hand and that’s fine.
What’s most important is that you are willing to put yourself out there and learn along the way. Take these simple steps to get started as a nutrition writer, and you’ll be getting paid to do what you love before you know it.