Here are some examples:

• Cards and brochures: Add Speaker, Consultant, Media, Personal Trainer or any other field you would like to start or expand.

• Speaking engagements: When counseling clients who work for large companies they may ask you to talk at their company or for their association. Instead of a long list of facts and tables, base your talk on experiences with clients, what works and what doesn’t. This creates more interest and audience members will be introduced to you as a nutrition counselor.

• Consulting work: Many companies want nutrition experts to counsel participants at marathons or women’s wellness events, to sit on research panels or to be involved in projects that include counseling.

• Focus groups: List yourself on the Nutrition Network of www.eatright.org . You may receive calls to join a focus group. There are many types of focus groups such as the scenario where clients sit behind a one-way mirror as someone asks you questions.

• Spokesperson work: A private client may work for a PR agency and will recommend you as a spokesperson.

• Media work: Television, radio, magazine and newspaper work can come from clients in your practice. For example, when I had a practice in Johannesburg, one of my anorexia nervosa clients seemed to be doing quite well, and then disappeared. A year later, she brought a camera crew to interview me on eating disorders. She had become a producer and was doing very well. During media interviews, particularly radio call-in programs, using examples from your private practice helps people identify with your clients.

• Writing: When I had a weekly column, my clients gave me umpteen stories, which I used. In Toronto, because I was in private practice, the Canadian Dietetic Association asked me to give a talk to the media during Nutrition Month. Scouts from Macmillan publishing, Inc. were in the audience, and asked me to write a book based on the success of my private practice. My book, Feel Fantastic, contains all the questions clients ask me and the motivational answers. I was also asked to give a talk to The Kellogg’s Co. staff. Subsequently, my book appeared on one million cereal boxes.

• Interns: Contact internship directors in your area. When students do their elective rotation with you, from three to six weeks, you spend time teaching them, but you also learn quite a bit from them. After counseling each client, I ask the interns for their input. They will let you know if there’s anything new on a particular topic discussed during your session with that client. They can also help you make your PowerPoint slides more exciting, and handouts and brochures more attractive. They can also be a good spin-off. Examples: In Toronto, I had given a talk to interns on starting a private practice. When I moved to the U.S., one of the interns organized nine talks for me in Northern Ontario. Another time, in San Diego, I gave a talk to interns on how to run your own business; many years later, two of those interns booked me for talks to the Texas and Virginia Dietetic Associations.

• Refer work: If you are not an expert in cooking, chronic renal failure, HIV/AIDS, etc. pass the job on to colleagues. You will be surprised at how many people will remember you for future counseling or speaking clients.

• Fitness certifications: Many dietitians study hard for the ACSM, ACE or NASM personal training certification. They find business increases rapidly as the referrals spin-off either way.

• Website: Everyone is cruising the Internet these days looking for a nutrition counselor and may find that you supply other services. Be sure to setup a website for your practice.

If you only do counseling, you can burn out quickly. Taking on other opportunities brings you new challenges, a different way of thinking and increased income. In order to get this work, you may need to work on your image. Always look professional, help others, be pleasant and maintain a healthy weight. Enjoy the spin-offs.

Published in Ventures, Spring 2005