How To Get Referrals For Your Nutrition Business
There are a variety of ways to spread the word about your nutrition business— some of my favourites include growing a community on social media, running local events or workshops, being a guest on someone else’s podcast, collaborating with others, and getting referrals from other practitioners.
Referrals can be a great way to grow your nutrition business and sign more clients, as people usually seek out a good referral from a friend, family member or another trusted practitioner when they are deciding if they should make an investment in their health.
Why Nutrition Referrals Are Important In Your Business
When I first started my own nutrition business, I connected with a busy nutritionist in my city who referred their overflow of clients to me. We had a referral partnership where I would pay her 20% of my earnings on any client she sent my way. This referral partnership helped me to grow my practice tremendously!
These nutrition referrals allowed me to build a more consistent income, which was essential when I was first getting started in my business.
According to this article, 64% of marketing executives agree that word-of-mouth, aka referrals, is the most effective form of marketing, bringing in 5x more sales than paid media.
Word of mouth marketing is an effective way to market organically, saving you time and money!
Since referrals are based on hearing a positive experience from someone you know, it can be easier to trust someone from a referral vs. someone you found on your own doing a Google search.
Trust and credibility are crucial for growing your nutrition business!
As much as we try to do everything and be everywhere all at once, it’s just not possible. Referrals put your business in front of new audiences and gets your name out there in places you might not have thought of or had access to.
On the flip side, you can also refer out, meaning you can refer a lead or client to another practitioner or health professional. Referring out can be a powerful tool when you don’t quite feel like you’re the right fit to work with that potential client, and know that there is another practitioner who might be a better fit for their needs.
Having a network of nutrition professionals you can refer people to still ensures you’re supporting the client’s healing journey by pointing them in the right direction and parting on a positive note.
Click here to learn about other ways to get clients through your doors!
How To Get Nutrition Referrals From Clients
Thankfully, it can be pretty easy and seamless to set up a referral program in your nutrition business.
The first step is to go to the people who know your services best—past clients!
Incentivize your clients when they write a testimonial for your services or share about you and your business with their friends, family and colleagues.
Common options for client incentives include:
Free consultations, meal plans, supplements, etc.
Discounts to your services
Gift cards to your favourite local wellness spots
You don’t have to spend a lot of money or be extravagant when implementing a client incentive program. A simple incentive to show your appreciation goes a long way!
However, as nice as rewards and discounts can be, nothing beats genuine connection and gratitude. That’s where a thank you note can come in.
Sending a Thank You Email for Referrals
Thank you notes add a personal touch to let your clients know they’re essential to your business’ success! Thank your notes feel more intimate, keeping you on their mind the next time they get asked, “Do you know anyone that could help me with ____?”
The next step is to promote your incentive program. If you actively tell your clients about your referral program, they’re more likely to talk about your services when they know they’re being compensated for their time and energy in referring to you.
Also, don’t forget to ask new clients where they heard about your services when they first contact you. This will help you track where your leads are coming from, so you can market your nutrition business accordingly.
Marketing to Doctors for Referrals
A key component of marketing your nutrition business is ensuring you show up in the places your clients are spending time in.
Unfortunately, many clients might be spending their time in doctors' offices looking for answers to chronic issues that could be improved with proper nutrition.
Setting up a nutrition referral program with doctors and fellow health practitioners can be a win for everyone!
The first step is to establish yourself as an expert in your field or niche.
Clearly state how you can benefit the health practitioner and their practice - what special skills or credentials do you have that could support their clients? Express your credentials or background in a way they’re familiar with.
Over-explaining what you do can lead to confusion in the relationship before it even begins. Identify any barriers they might have when it comes to referring clients to nutrition professionals and address them compassionately.
This reaffirms to other practitioners how their practice and their clients will benefit from your nutrition services.
I recommend trying to stay away from “cold calling or DM’ing” if you can. A positive first impression is easier to make in person, through email or over Zoom.
In order to continue to feel good about your referral program, nurture genuine relationships with your referral practitioners. It’s important to work with people you can trust and depend upon.
You’re working together to achieve a common goal: to support your client and help them feel better. If they’re referring clients to you, you should feel comfortable referring clients to them!
Regarding an incentive with this type of partnership, a referral commission is quite common. You and the referral partner can set up a percentage or fixed dollar amount per client that feels right to you both.
Lastly, don’t forget to send them a thank you note to convey how much you appreciate your referral partnership!
Ready To Expand The Reach of Your Nutrition Business?
At the end of the day, all health professionals want to help their clients feel better while growing their practice. With solid referral programs and a genuine, supportive community, we can achieve those goals together!
