What Is It Like to Work With a Freelance Nutrition Writer?

Having your own small business means there is a never-ending list of to-dos…amiright? 

But did you really start your private practice because you wanted to be working 24/7?

As a fellow registered dietitian and freelance nutrition writer, I am empowering you to get to the next level. My goal is to help you to work smarter, not harder. Your ideal client is looking for you online and I can help you two to connect!

Having optimized content lets your ideal client get to know you and get primed to hire you. Hiring a freelance nutrition writer frees up more of your time to do the work you actually want to do…or allows you to simply work less. Both are good options!

 

Your website is an incredibly personal space. You’ve invested countless hours – and possibly a good chunk of change – to make it what it is today. Working with a freelance nutrition writer is like inviting a professional to your home or taking your car to the mechanic –  you want to make sure you’re working with a professional you can trust. 

(Psst: here are the copywriter interview questions I recommend you ask any freelance nutrition writer you’re considering). 

While everyone has their own style and flow, here is my process for working with my writing clients.

Where do we begin?

I will begin by checking out your website (if you have one), LinkedIn and other social media feeds and scheduling a time for a phone call. This is kind of like getting ready for a first date or a job interview because you want to work with the freelance nutrition writer who is the best fit for you and your business goals.  

On our call, we will get to know each other. I’ll be excited to learn more about you and have you tell me about your amazing business. I want to learn about what your business is doing now and what your goals are for the future. I’ll ask you a lot of questions and you’ll get to ask me questions, too. If you decide to work with me, we’ll pick a trial project to do first.

Tell me about doing a trial project.

As a freelance nutrition writer, I start with a trial project for any new client. You and I might decide that I’ll work on a writing project for your website, such as a blog, a new email or the next newsletter to send to your list.

Once we have had our phone call, I understand where your business goals are and I’m excited to help the momentum. I provide high-quality content that moves your business forward. I do consumer research to see what your ideal clients are looking for online and write content that answers their questions. Your new content shows your expertise and lets your clients know that you can actually help them. 

After I finish the project, I hire my proofreader to make sure that there aren’t any typos or goof-ups – this is one way that I delegate!

The first and final draft

You’ll receive your new content draft in a Google Doc. You will be able to make changes and add comments. Working in the same version of the document helps to keep the workflow smooth by not tracking down different versions of the document. 

Once I address any feedback you have given me, the piece is ready for you to post on your website or plug into your email software system.

What is your turnaround time?

My turnaround time depends on my other client loads, but in general, once I’ve received your deposit, and project outline, I’ll have your first draft done in a week. 

How do you grab my reader’s attention?

The most important text to write for any blog post or email is the heading or subject line. If the title doesn’t grab your reader’s attention, they’re going to keep on scrolling. 

I typically start with a draft title and then finalize the title at the very end. I also use two free tools to make sure I get this right. 

Lastly, I often add a P.S. at the end of the blog. Most people skim text but will read every word of a P.S. – that is valuable real estate to use!

I don’t know anything about SEO – is that okay?

This is totally fine. SEO refers to search engine optimization and it’s a secret algorithm by which Google ranks websites. Working to optimize your SEO is one reason you might choose to hire a freelance nutrition writer – you want to make sure that your website is working hard to grow your awesome nutrition business! 

 

It’s really important to have stellar content that truly helps people. But if your posts are not popping up on the first page of Google then unfortunately no one is reading them. If no one is reading your content, it is not helping to drive your business forward. 

When I’m writing copy for your blogs and website I’m making sure it includes the right keywords, in the right places, so that your ideal client actually finds your posts on Google. 

If you’re curious, this post covers eight places to use your keywords in a blog post to improve your rankings. 

What kinds of writing can you help with?

Lots! I write copy for your website, blogs, emails to your list, and love creating an automatic email sequence that encourages your ideal clients to book with you as well as newsletters. 

I also help with social media posts for your private Facebook groups, posts to share your published content and get your work out there. 

What is the difference between copywriting and content writing?

The purpose of content writing is to inform. The purpose of copywriting is to persuade and encourage your ideal clients to take action. 

As dietitians, we looooooove to teach. We can wax poetic about fruits and veggies, hydration, blood sugar management and meal planning day after day, post after post. But if you’re trying to gain more clients, those amazing posts need to end with a call to action. 

Maybe you want your readers to book a call, sign up for a discovery call or join your Facebook group. Your writing needs to include the next action you want your readers to take. 

This is awkward, but…what if we’re not a good fit?

That’s ok! 

 

That’s why we start with a smaller project or two to get to know one another. Just like dietitians have different approaches to wellness and nutrition counseling, freelance nutrition writers have their own style and approach, too. 

Just like you want to be working with your ideal clients, I do too. The trial project is a chance to see if you’re a good fit for me, too. 

 

What I want is for registered dietitians to be the recognized and respected (and well-paid) experts for nutrition. If I have the opportunity to support your business, that would be marvelous. But if we are not the right fit for one another, I would encourage you to find the freelance nutrition writer that is! 

I’d love to meet you! If you’d like to learn more about how I can support your business, please book a call – it’s free. It is not a pushy sales call – ick – who wants that?

Click here to find a time for us to meet – I can’t wait to meet you!

 

P.S. See? We can’t help but read the P.S.!

 

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Hi! I’m Holly Larson – registered dietitian and nutrition copywriter and copywriting mentor.

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