How to Become a Media Dietitian
Have you ever thought that you might want to work with magazines, publishers, television, video, or work with brands? Or have you been dreaming about becoming a celebrity dietitian (yes!)? Then you might be interested in becoming a Media Dietitian.
Here's an article about how to get in the media nutrition business and other resources on becoming a media dietitian.
What is a Media Dietitian?
There are a lot of definitions, but essentially a Media Dietitian is a registered dietitian nutritionist, with a degree from a program accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, that is a nutrition and food communications expert who gets the word out via television, social media, magazines, and more.
Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, of Master The Media Coaching Program* says, "Working in the media as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is a ton of fun, plus it can help grow your career, your income, and your flexibility! When you’re a nutrition expert with influence, you share health information through mass communications in meaningful ways that can earn you a lot of money."
Amy is a well known leader in the industry as a Media Dietitian Coach. She often offers free introductory Masterclasses* on how she generates over $200,000 annually from brand partnerships alone as a Media Dietitian.
How to become a Media Dietitian
The path to becoming a Media Dietitian is different for everyone, but generally you want to develop the following skills and steps:
- develop your niche
- create a media kit
- learn how to speak to the media
- learn how to pitch the media
- develop relationships with publishers, reporters, editors, or producers
- and then repeat.
There are a lot of steps in between. If you have a nutrition private practice or a niche you like to work in then you can have a voice to contribute to that business, as well.
Using LinkedIn to promote your services as a Media Dietitian
Positioning yourself on social media as a media dietitian and using LinkedIn to showcase your services is a great way to attract clients and opportunities. Here's an article on Using LinkedIn for Media Dietitian Opportunities.
Working with a media coach or a dietitian who already works with the media can move your success along a lot faster.
Jobs as a Media Dietitian
When I started out as a dietitian, I was in awe of other dietitians getting on broadcast television, featured in health magazines, or becoming spokespersons for food companies.
Today there are so many opportunities for dietitians as Media Dietitians working with food and nutrition communications. There are also so many ways to learn how to make money as a Media Dietitian, taught by other dietitians who have paved the way for the rest of us, and by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Examples of jobs as a Media Dietitian
- Brand ambassador
- Broadcast TV media appearances - local
- Broadcast TV media appearances - national
- Cookbook author
- Digital media appearances
- Freelance food communicator
- Freelance nutrition writer
- Magazine health and nutrition writer
- Recipe developer showing up online as a food vlogger or food blogger
- Social media nutrition influencer
- Social media food influencer
- Spokesperson for product or food company
- YouTube video food vlogger
Here's a list of Media Dietitian jobs from Master The Media Coaching Program* (affiliate link)
🌟 Magazine or website writer
🌟 On-air talent for TV, radio, or podcasts
🌟 Brand spokesperson or ambassador
🌟 Host for local media events
🌟 Talent at trade show booths
🌟 Recipe developer or food photographer
🌟 Social media content creator
🌟 Video creator
🌟 Book author
🌟 Podcast host
🌟 Nutrition or health consultant
Perks of being a Media Dietitian
You might already have an interest in working with the media but let me offer some additional perks that you may not have though about:
- Reach a Larger Audience with Your Nutrition Message: Leverage media platforms to share and amplify your insights on healthy eating and wellness to a broader audience.
- Lucrative Brand Partnerships: Partner with health and wellness brands for sponsorships and endorsements, providing a significant income boost.
- Land Book Deals: Establish yourself as an expert in your field and attract offers from publishers to write books that share your expertise on a larger scale.
- Name in Print Media: Gain recognition and credibility by featuring in reputable magazines and journals, enhancing your professional reputation.
- Participate in Labeling Messaging: Contribute your expertise to the development of nutritional labeling, influencing consumer choices and food industry standards.
- Opportunity to Attract More Clients for Your Private Practice: Use media exposure to increase visibility and credibility, attracting more clients to your private practice.
- Work Options: Choose from various roles, either behind the scenes or in front of larger national audiences, allowing for career flexibility and diversity.
- Try Innovative Products Ahead of the Public: Get exclusive access to the latest health and nutrition products before they reach the market, allowing you to provide informed recommendations.
- Serve on Product Advisory Boards: Offer your nutritional expertise to influence product development and marketing strategies, shaping how products are presented to consumers.
- Professional Credibility: Being featured in media solidifies your status as an authority in nutrition, opening doors to new professional opportunities.
- Networking Opportunities: Meet and collaborate with a variety of professionals across different industries, expanding your professional network.
- Increased Influence in Public Health Policy: Use your platform to advocate for healthier public policies and initiatives.
- Skill Development: Enhance your abilities in public speaking, digital marketing, and media production, skills that are highly valued in many career paths.
- Personal Brand Growth: Build and expand your personal brand, potentially leading to your own product lines, wellness programs, or consulting services.
- Creative Expression: Utilize media to creatively express your passion for nutrition, engaging audiences through various formats such as cooking demonstrations or educational videos.
- Access to Cutting-Edge Research and Trends: Stay updated with the latest developments in your field, ensuring your advice always reflects current best practices.
- Impact on Community Health: Make a tangible difference in public health by influencing dietary habits and lifestyle choices on a large scale.
- Higher Income: Media Dietitians usually earn significantly more income compared with traditional dietitian jobs, such as a Clinical Dietitian. However, you likely will be a independent contractor and responsible for your own benefits, such as healthcare.
This list show you the dynamic and influential career path of a media dietitian and how media engagement can significantly enhance your professional opportunities as a dietitian.
How to become a Media Dietitian faster
There are several media dietitians who help other dietitians learn the ropes to become a media dietitian more successfully and quicker. The investment is well worth the return!
Media Dietitian programs and trainings
Master The Media Coaching Program* (affiliate link) - Dietitian Amy Gorin, MS, RDN has a 6 month intensive coaching program with lifetime access to the educational modules.
- She will "show you how to get your name in the news and use that media attention to skyrocket your income!"
- The course includes 24 hours of LIVE group coaching directly with Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, 12 modules, 70-plus videos, and 30-plus workbooks and cheat sheets that reveal all the industry secrets you need to master the media, land brand partnerships, writing gigs, and grow your business in ways you never knew possible.
- This course is ideal for any health professional—including registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), nurses, doctors, personal trainers, health coaches, healthy chefs, and more. RDNs will have the opportunity to earn CPEUS.
- Includes:
- Weekly Coaching Calls
- Pitch Scripts, Cheat Sheets, Workbooks, Facebook Group
- Media Kit Creation
- Freelance Writing Training
- Sound Bite Training
- Broadcast Interview Training
- Contacts to pitch most media outlets
- Community Support
- 65 CPEU Credits
- Lifetime access to the 6-month program
- 100% money-back guarantee
Alissa Rumsey, MS, RD - Alissa has a course to teach you how to pitch (and who to pitch) with confidence.
Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN - Bonnie is a media personality, media trainer for dietitians and wellness professionals, spokesperson, motivational speaker, journalist, and corporate and brand consultant. She is a Health & Wellness Contributor for TODAY.com, US News & World Report and Livestrong and her stories and interviews have appeared on thousands of media platforms including television, radio and podcast shows and print and online outlets. She has a successful Media Training Master Course with tons of training and insights to get you on the path to success quickly. It's an affordable option that offers the following content:
- Who to contact to get into the media so you end up center stage instead of chasing dead ends
- What to say to reporters to be their go-to expert and get booked over and over again
- How to create different interviews on the same subject based upon the platform for TV, print, radio or online
- What you should never say in an interview
- What to wear to stand out on video for socials or TV
- How to pivot off of tough questions and be calm while rising up to be a standout voice in your industry
- How to paint pictures with words for podcasts and radio
- How to get paid for interviews by working with brands
- How to create magnetic sound bites that sell
Abbey Sharpe, RD - Abbey has the Sharper Edge Media Training module.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokesperson Program - AND has a spokesperson program.
Media Dietitians You Might Know
Melissa Joy Dobbins, MS, RDN, CDE
Current and Previous Academy Spokespeople
Ellen R. Shanley, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND
Jennifer Bruning, MS, RDN, LDN
Kevin L. Sauer PhD, RDN, LD, FAND
Lauri Wright, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND
Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN
Sandra Arévalo, MPH, RDN, CDN, CLC, CDCES, FAND
Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RDN, CDCES, LDN, NASM-WFS CPT
3 Simple tips to make the news as a Media Dietitian
You have ideas, stories, and recommendations. Now you want to get those concepts heard by the masses. What better way to spread your ideas than through the media? However, your topic needs to be recognized by the reporters as news-worthy. Here's how.
Tip #1: Pick a Topic - According to Bill & Steve Harrison, owners of Quantum Leap Publicity and Marketing Program, make sure the topic either ties into current news, such as soda tax, or has controversy, such as good fats versus bad fats.
The topic can also be timely, such as discussing holiday weight gain or healthy summer travel tips. Another topic style can be a trend-setting topic, such as a popular fad diet. Look at a current trends and see how you can put a twist or spin on it.
Tip #2: Make A Hook - A hook is one line for the reporter to use to attract the audience. A sound bite.
For example, a powerful hook could be: 10 foods you must eat to stay young forever. This hook could lead into the story of different foods which have anti-aging properties and how to incorporate those foods into one’s weekly diet.
The hook needs to be eye-catching. PR Hacker has great ideas for developing an attention-grabbing hook.
Tip #3: Promote Your Pitch - You have the topic, you have the hook, now it’s time to promote. According to the Small Business Association, you can join sites like PR.com, PRLog.org, Free Press Release, ProfNet, or Help A Reporter Out (HARO) to distribute your press releases, find reporters, or find reporters looking for experts in particular topics.
Also try promoting your topic through bloggers. Some bloggers have millions of readers, so promoting your story on their blog can build traffic to your website and establish you as an expert to the masses.
Remember that you are the expert in your field. Keep your messages “clear, concise, and compelling,” advises Melissa Joy Dobbins, MS, RDN, CDE, owner/founder of Sound Bites, Inc. – Sound Science, Smart Nutrition, Good Food. and media expert. Your messages will get noticed and you will get publicity.
Get Out There!
Working as a Media Dietitian can be exciting and you can really make an impact. Start now by working with another media dietitian who has paved the way to help you get into the business successfully. And have fun!
* This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase a product using my affiliate link, I may receive a small commission or bonus. This will in no way impact the price you pay. Affiliate links on this page are denoted with an asterisk (*).
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About the Author
Stacey Dunn-Emke, MS, RDN, is the Founder Owner of NutritionJobs and an established dietetic career expert. She helps steer dietetic and nutrition professionals to a successful job search process with the top-ranked dietetic job board platform, NUTRITIONJOBS. Stacey is the author of The Dietetic Resume Guide and numerous dietetic career action-ables. She gives the tools to create a modern standout dietetic resume to land that job interview, help with job interview prep, and with creating All-Star LinkedIn profiles. Stacey has interviewed and hired many dietitians and in running NutritionJobs since 2000, she has reviewed thousands of dietetic resumes. She works closely with dietetic hiring managers and recruiters to know what standout resume elements land a job interview.
