The Dietitian Success Podcast | Business & Marketing for Dietitians

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, we talk about the real pros and cons of offering one-off sessions versus packages versus both, how to retrain your brain to think about business spending as investment rather than cost, and what to do when you realize a client is not the right fit, whether you are still in the discovery call or already three sessions in.

Inside, we cover:

• Why there is no single right model when it comes to one-offs versus packages, and the factors that should actually drive that decision for you
• The hidden challenge with offering both options at the same time
• The mindset shift that happens when you stop thinking about business spending as cost and start thinking about it as investment
• The two-part framework I use to evaluate any business purchase: likelihood and magnitude
• How I think about the ROI of investing in learning, coaching, and in-person events like the Dietitian Success Summit
• Why saying yes to the wrong client can actually cost you more than saying no
• How to screen clients before the discovery call even happens
• What to say when you realize mid-engagement that someone is not the right fit, in a way that is supportive, professional, and protects your boundaries

Whether you have been going back and forth on your service model, feeling guilty about business spending, or dreading sessions with a client you should not have taken on, this episode will help you think more clearly about all three.

Links:

• Check out the Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians
• Join the Dietitian Success Summit 2026: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/the-dietitian-success-summit-2026
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/
• Free Starter Kit: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I talk about how to market yourself consistently without burning out, why ManyChat has been one of the most impactful tools we have used in the last year for growing our email list, and the three principles that have shaped how we approach brand sponsorships and that I think every dietitian entrepreneur should know.

Inside, we cover:

• Why marketing is non-negotiable in your business and the excuses that are keeping you stuck
• The concept of micro marketing and why five to ten minutes a day beats a blocked-off half day you never actually do
• Specific micro marketing actions you can take in five minutes or less
• What ManyChat is and how it works with your Instagram account
• Why the old "link in bio" approach is no longer effective and what to do instead
• How we got a 79% conversion rate on our auto DM welcome message
• The three principles for landing brand sponsorships that apply regardless of your audience size
• Why one-off sponsored posts often underdeliver and what to offer brands instead
• How to follow up strategically with brands based on their budget cycles

Whether you have been avoiding marketing because it feels overwhelming, wondering whether automation tools are worth it, or curious about brand sponsorships as a revenue stream, this episode is packed with practical and actionable advice.

Links:

• Try Practice Better FREE for 14 days, then new users can save 20% off their first 4 months with code DIETITIANSUCCESS20 at checkout:
  https://sites.practicebetter.io/dsc?utm_source=sponsorship&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=dietitian-success-center&utm_content=podcast1&utm_term=ba
• Check out the Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians
• Join the Dietitian Success Summit 2026: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/the-dietitian-success-summit-2026
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/
• Free Starter Kit: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I'm answering three questions that come up constantly for dietitian entrepreneurs, and I'm giving you honest, practical answers.

We talk about what SEO actually is and why it is non-negotiable for any dietitian with a website, how to build a sales funnel that feels authentic and aligned instead of sales-y, and how to decide whether you should be managing your Instagram yourself, stepping back from it, or hiring someone to help.

Inside, we cover:

• What SEO actually is, explained simply, and why there is genuinely no point having a website without it
• How AI tools have made SEO easier than it has ever been before
• What AEO is and why AI engine optimization is becoming just as important as traditional SEO
• Why sales funnels have a bad reputation, and how to build one that feels nothing like the bro-marketing era
• The lead magnet, the nurture sequence, and the know, like, and trust factor explained in plain language
• Why selling is not something to feel icky about, and how to talk about your offer in a way that feels good
• The questions to ask yourself before deciding to outsource your Instagram
• Why outsourcing is not always the magic bullet we think it is
• How I personally use podcast transcripts and Claude to create consistent Instagram content without burning out

Whether you have been putting off dealing with your website SEO, trying to figure out how to grow your email list, or going back and forth on whether to hire a social media manager, this episode will help you think more clearly about all three.

And if you want ongoing support working through decisions like these in your own business, this is exactly the kind of work we do inside the DSC Entrepreneurship Membership.

Links:

• Check out the Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians
• Join the Dietitian Success Summit 2026: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/the-dietitian-success-summit-2026
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/
• Free Starter Kit: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I'm answering three questions that have been coming up a lot lately, and one of them is something I've been working through personally in my own business right now.

We talk about the very real fear that comes with putting yourself online as a dietitian, the difference between the DSC Entrepreneurship Membership and the Dietitian Success Summit Entrepreneur Pass, and how to think about Substack versus blogging on your own website in 2026.

Inside, we cover:

• Why the fear of posting online is real, valid, and not unique to you — and why it doesn't mean you should stop
• How perfectionism shows up as a response to online fear and how it keeps you stuck
• The framework I use personally to navigate this fear, including what my therapist told me that completely reframed it
• Why I ask myself what 85-year-old Krista would think when I'm too scared to post something
• The difference between the DSC Entrepreneurship Membership and the Summit Entrepreneur Pass, and how the two are designed to work together
• What Substack actually is, how it works, and who it makes sense for
• Why blogging on your own website and Substack serve fundamentally different purposes — and how to decide which one is right for you

Whether you've been paralyzed by the fear of saying the wrong thing online, trying to figure out which DSC offer makes sense for where you are right now, or wondering if Substack is worth your time in 2026, this episode has something for you.

And if you're looking for ongoing support as you build your business, the DSC Entrepreneurship Membership was built for exactly that. Strategy, coaching, community, and the practical tools to keep moving forward.

Links:

• Check out the Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians
• Join the Dietitian Success Summit 2026 Waitlist: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/the-dietitian-success-summit-2026
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/
• Free Starter Kit: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I'm finally spilling everything about the Dietitian Success Summit — the first ever in-person gathering of the DSC community, happening September 28-30, 2026 at the Toronto Beach Club in Toronto, Ontario.

If you've been waiting to hear the full picture before deciding whether to come, this is the episode. I'm walking through everything: the schedule, the sessions, the speakers, the swag, the vibe, the pricing, and how to get a discount if you're a DSC member.

Inside, we cover:

• Why we decided to do this and what makes it completely different from a traditional dietetics conference
• The day-by-day experience, from breakfast to cocktail hour to professional headshots (yes, really)
• The session topics, including communication and presence, coaching skills, navigating nutrition misinformation on social media, and personal branding
• The Entrepreneur Pass, what it includes, and why the Day 3 business planning session might be the most valuable thing DSC has ever offered
• The swag bag, including the very first Dietitian Success Planner
• How to attend even if you're introverted, coming alone, or based in the US
• Pricing, payment plans, and the DSC member discount
• The FAQ we've been getting over and over again, answered honestly

Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 2nd at 10 a.m. Eastern. With more than double the waitlist than available tickets, especially for the Entrepreneur Pass, you will want to move quickly.

Whether you're already sure you want to come or still on the fence, listen to this one. It was designed for you.

Links:

• Join the Dietitian Success Summit 2026 Waitlist: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/the-dietitian-success-summit-2026
• Check out the Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/
• Free Starter Kit: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I answer three questions that come up all the time for dietitian entrepreneurs: how to get clients as a dietitian, whether earning 100K as a dietitian is realistic, and whether you should be running paid ads.

We talk about why having a website and posting on Instagram isn't always enough, how to think about your income goals using real math instead of guesswork, and what I've learned from running ads across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google for Dietitian Success Center.

Update: The Entrepreneur Office Hours on Paid Ads with Olivia Hudock are on Wed, Jul 22, 2026 at 1PM EST / 12:00 PM CST

Inside, we cover:

• Why marketing is a learned skill and why we need to stop expecting to be great at it overnight
• The two questions to ask about your website before anything else
• Why Instagram may or may not be the right client acquisition channel depending on your geography and business model
• The most consistently effective way to get clients that comes up again and again when I talk to dietitians with full practices
• Why financial pressure on a new business can actually work against you
• The math exercise you need to do before deciding if 100K is realistic for your situation
• Why most dietitians earning six figures have more than one income stream
• The egg carton visual for thinking about multiple revenue streams
• When paid ads actually make sense and when they don't
• Why paid ads work best when you already have something working organically
• A real example of how strong SEO generated client inquiries without any ad spend

Whether you're just starting to build your practice, wondering if your income goals are achievable, or thinking about investing in paid advertising, this episode will help you think more clearly about where to focus your energy.

And if you're looking for support as you build your business, this is exactly the kind of work we do inside the Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center. It's designed to help dietitians with strategy, marketing, offers, and growth, with coaching, community, and practical tools to move forward with clarity.

Links:

• Check out the Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians
• Join the Dietitian Success Summit 2026 Waitlist: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/the-dietitian-success-summit-2026
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/
• Free Starter Kit: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I'm answering three questions that have been coming up often in our DSC community lately - and honestly, they're three of the most emotionally loaded topics in dietitian entrepreneurship.

We cover:

• Comparisonitis - what to do when you see another dietitian doing similar work and it sends you into a spiral of self-doubt (plus the mindset reframe that actually helps)
• Pivoting your niche or business model - how to tell the difference between a season of low motivation and a genuine sign that it's time to change direction
• How much to pay yourself in your business - a practical, beginner-friendly breakdown of the percentage approach and when it makes sense to use it

Plus, I'm sharing an insider look at what's happening behind the scenes with the Dietitian Success Summit coming to Toronto this September 28–30 and what it actually takes to plan an in-person event.

Links:

• Join the Dietitian Success Summit Waitlist: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/the-dietitian-success-summit-2026
• Check out the Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/
• Join the Free Dietitian Starter Kit — client handouts, PES statement & MI cheat sheets, and our RD community: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I answer three questions that come up all the time for dietitian entrepreneurs: how to stay focused when you have too many ideas, how to handle disappointment after a launch, and whether online courses are still worth it in the age of AI.

We talk about how to manage shiny object syndrome without losing creativity, how to evaluate your launch results using real data (instead of emotion), and how to rethink your offers so they stay relevant in a changing landscape.

Inside, we cover:

• Why entrepreneurs are naturally drawn to new ideas (and how that can derail your progress)
• A simple system to capture ideas without acting on them immediately
• How to tell the difference between a good idea vs. a distraction
• Why most launches aren’t actually failures—and how to evaluate them properly
• What realistic conversion rates look like for email lists and online offers
• Why audience size plays a bigger role than you think in launch success
• How to reframe disappointment so it actually helps you move forward
• What’s changing about online courses in the age of AI
• Why purely informational products are becoming less valuable
• What AI cannot replace (and how to build that into your offers)
• Simple ways to evolve your course to make it more impactful and sellable

Whether you’re feeling pulled in different directions, questioning your last launch, or wondering how to adapt your business in today’s world, this episode will help you refocus and move forward with clarity.

And if you’re looking for support as you build your business, this is exactly the kind of work we do inside the Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center.

It’s designed to help dietitians with strategy, marketing, offers, and growth, with coaching, community, and practical tools to move forward with clarity.

Links:

Check out the NEW Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center:
https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians

Join the waitlist for The Dietitian Success Summit:
https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/the-dietitian-success-summit-2026

Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/

Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/

Free Starter Kit for dietitians:
https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I answer three common questions that come up again and again for dietitian entrepreneurs. We talk about what to do when you feel overwhelmed by everything you could be doing in your business, how to know if you're ready to launch a group program, and how to rethink your business when life circumstances change.

Inside, we cover:

• Why business overwhelm happens for almost every entrepreneur (and why it’s not a personal failure)
• The PLATE Framework for prioritizing what actually matters in your business
• How to move from analysis paralysis to action
• The difference between priorities vs. tasks when planning business projects
• Why having a clear vision for your business makes decision-making easier
• When it actually makes sense to start a group program
• Why group programs require an audience first
• Creative ways dietitians have successfully filled group programs (even without an email list)
• How to start building an audience while you’re still working with clients one-on-one
• What to do when your business stops feeling aligned with your life
• Why life changes (like maternity leave) often require rethinking your business design
• Different business models dietitians can explore as their goals evolve
• How I redesigned parts of my own business after having kids

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything on your to-do list or wondering what the next stage of your business should look like, this episode will help you step back, get clear, and move forward.

Links: 

• Check out the *NEW* Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians 
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/
• If you're a dietitian looking for more tools to support your practice, we’ve created a Free Starter Kit with client handouts, PES statement & Motivational Interviewing cheat sheets, and our RD community: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/

In this episode of the Dietitian Success Podcast, I’m sharing a little personal update as I return from maternity leave and settle into a new season of life with two kids at home. I also introduce a new Q&A-style format for the podcast and walk through three topics that come up constantly in the world of dietitian entrepreneurship: raising your rates, my favorite business books, and what’s actually been driving our recent Instagram growth at Dietitian Success Center.

Inside, we cover:

• The question many dietitians struggle with: “What if raising my rates makes my services inaccessible?”
• Practical ways to maintain accessibility (like sliding scales) without undercharging for your expertise
• My three favorite business books and why they’ve shaped how I think about entrepreneurship
• The content shift that helped us go from 10K to 18K followers in a few months

Whether you’re navigating pricing decisions, looking for new business ideas, or trying to figure out social media growth, this episode offers a mix of personal reflections and practical insights for dietitian entrepreneurs.

Links:

• Check out the *NEW* Entrepreneurship Tier of Dietitian Success Center https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/entrepreneurshipfordietitians 
• Join the waitlist for The Dietitian Success Summit (2026): https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/the-dietitian-success-summit-2026 
• Follow @dietitiansuccesscenter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansuccesscenter/
• Connect with @kristako.rd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristako.rd/
• If you're a dietitian looking for more tools to support your practice, we’ve created a Free Starter Kit with client handouts, PES statement & Motivational Interviewing cheat sheets, and our RD community: https://www.dietitiansuccesscenter.com/