One amazing benefit of being a dietitian is the plethora of brand opportunities you have available to you. Food and health brands are searching for dietitians like you to partner with! Today we are sharing 15 brand partnership examples for dietitians like you.
But how can you partner with these brands, and in what capacity? Having different brand partnership ideas in mind is essential so you can properly pitch to brands you want to work with.
This blog post will explore why dietitians should consider partnering with brands and showcase 15 brand partnership examples. We will also provide tips on finding and securing partnerships and actionable advice for making these collaborations successful.
Let’s get started!
Why Should RDs Partner With Brands?
In 2024, more dietitians are looking to partner with their favorite food and health brands. Brand partnerships offer many key benefits for dietitians to consider.
First off, brand partnerships help you expand your reach and impact by allowing you to share evidence-based information with a broader and more diverse audience through the brand’s platform.
These collaborations can also enhance your credibility, authority, and professional image, especially when you partner with reputable brands (which we recommend).
Additionally, brand partnerships provide financial benefits through sponsored content, product endorsements, and collaborative projects. Because who doesn’t love a bit of extra cash in your pocket?!
Lastly, working with brands keeps you updated with the latest industry trends and innovations. You’ll see firsthand what brands are creating and what your audience wants to buy from you.
15 Brand Partnership Examples for Dietitians
Here are 15 actionable ideas for how dietitians can collaborate with brands in a way that is both practical and impactful for both you and the brand!
1. Sponsored Social Media Content
You can partner with a brand to create engaging and informative social media posts that highlight a brand’s products or services.
Share your personal experiences, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, or educational information about the brand’s products and how they align with your values as a dietitian.
You can create many different types of sponsored deliverables, including:
- Story posts
- Feed posts
- Reels/TikTok videos
Bonus tip: make sure you charge more if a brand requests “usage rights” which means they’re allowed to use your curated content across other platforms or websites.
2. Recipe Development
Develop unique and nutritious recipes featuring a brand’s products. Try to showcase the product’s versatility and the different ways it can be used.
These recipes can be shared on your blog, social media, newsletter, or the brand’s website.
3. Webinars and Online Workshops
Another way to partner with brands is by hosting webinars or online workshops sponsored by a brand.
These sessions can cover various topics such as meal planning, nutrition for specific health conditions, or cooking demonstrations. You may include the brand’s logo on your marketing materials and presentation slides.
Additionally, a brand may give you an exclusive discount code you can give to your audience at the webinar.
4. Branded Challenges
Organize a health or fitness challenge sponsored by a brand. These challenges can focus on specific health goals, and you can partner with relevant brands to provide incentives, such as branded prizes or discounts on their products.
Participants can use the brand’s products or discounts as part of the challenge, and you can share progress updates, tips, and success stories.
For example, if you’re a sports dietitian, you can run a hydration challenge and partner with relevant sports nutrition brands that sell hydration products.
5. Podcast Sponsorship
Another popular brand partnership example is to collaborate with brands to sponsor episodes of your nutrition-focused podcast. Depending on the brand’s needs, there are many ways to include sponsored ads throughout your episode.
You can also utilize affiliate partnerships and discount codes that you share with your podcast audience.
For more information on podcasting for dietitians, check out our full blog post here!
6. E-Books and Guides
Many dietitians are creating different eBooks and guides related to various nutrition topics in their niche. You can partner with brands on these eBooks by including relevant product recommendations and links within the content.
For example, if you’re creating a gluten-free guide, you can have a product recommendation list with links to your favorite gluten-free products. Then, you can pitch to brands to be included in this list for a specific price.
Bonus tip: lots of RDs are even self-publishing their work on Amazon! That’s right, you don’t need to have a publisher to publish your own eBook.
7. Branded Newsletters
Email lists are extremely great marketing funnels! Partner with your favorite food and health brands to incorporate sponsored content or product features in your regular email newsletters to your list.
Share tips, recipes, or special promotions from the partnering brand. You can also do a round-up of monthly favorites using affiliate links every month!
8. Cooking Classes
Host virtual or in-person cooking classes in partnership with a brand. Use the brand’s products in your recipes and provide participants with samples or discounts.
Many dietitians use media opportunities, such as news segments, to partner with food brands on sponsored segments that involve cooking demos with the brand’s product.
If you have an upcoming cooking class or demo, list it as an opportunity within our dashboard, and you’ll get notified if any brands want to work with you on it!
9. Guest Blogging
Blogging is continuing to grow in popularity among dietitians and health food brands. It’s a great way to increase brand exposure and generate website traffic through curated content and search engine optimization (SEO).
You can write sponsored blog posts on your own website or as guest blogs for the brand you want to partner with!
As a dietitian, ensure you provide valuable nutrition insights, recipes, or health tips that align with the brand’s audience and products. Don’t forget to cite relevant research studies throughout your blog that support you and the product’s claims.
10. Meal Planning
Develop meal plans or recipe collections that incorporate specific products, highlighting their use and nutritional benefits for clients.
Look for brands that fit your niche client population, such as low-FODMAP, gluten-free, or plant-based.
Piggy-backing on the eBook section, you can also turn any meal plans you have into a recipe book to sell on Amazon or through your website!
11. Event Sponsorship
Partner with brands to sponsor health and wellness events, such as conferences, health fairs, or community workshops.
The brand may provide you with free samples to hand out at the event and include in a take-away bag. You can also include the brand’s information in marketing materials such as brochures or pamphlets.
12. Branded Merchandise
While branded merchandise may not be as popular of a brand partnership example, it’s still great to mention!
As a dietitian, you can collaborate with a brand to create co-branded merchandise, such as meal prep kits, t-shirts, water bottles, or cooking utensils.
Then, promote these items through your platforms and offer them to your audience. This can be beneficial if you already have a working relationship with a brand and a decent-sized audience who may want to buy your merch.
14. Educational Video Series or Online Course
Another way to partner with brands is through the brand sponsoring an educational video series or online course.
When recording your videos, you can mention the brand’s products in relevant topic areas. For example, if the brand sells kitchen prep equipment, you can demonstrate the product in your video on meal planning.
A brand could also offer to pay you to record educational videos using their products. The brand may then put these videos on its website or use them throughout content, such as presentations or on social media.
15. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is an excellent way to partner with your favorite brands as a dietitian. You can include affiliate marketing in many of the examples we listed above.
With affiliate marketing, you’ll generally get a unique link or discount code to share with your audience. Then, you can earn a small commission on sales generated through your referrals.
Affiliate marketing can be a nice stream of additional income, especially if you already use and recommend the product frequently.
For best success with affiliate marketing, diversify your link or code by posting it across multiple channels, including your blog, newsletter, and social media content.
How to Find Brand Partnerships
Let’s say you’re ready to work with brands, but you aren’t sure how to find them. It’s okay, you aren’t alone!
Many dietitians aren’t sure where to start to find quality brand partnerships.
Here are a few ways we recommend:
Network
Attend industry conferences, workshops, and networking events to connect with potential brand partners. Building relationships with key industry players can open doors to partnership opportunities.
When you attend conferences or events, bring business cards with you and your contact information to hand out. You can also consider bringing copies of your media kit!
Leverage Social Media
Use social media platforms to showcase your expertise, engage with brands, and identify potential partnership opportunities.
Follow brands that align with your values and interact with their content. Comment, like, and engage with recent posts. Both LinkedIn and Instagram are great for connecting with your favorite brands through social media.
Bonus tip: create content and posts about products you use and love and tag the brands in the posts. This will make you stand out to that brand and other brands, too!
Join Professional Associations and Communities
Membership in professional associations can provide access to partnership opportunities and resources. Associations often have partnerships with brands looking for expert collaborators.
You should also stay active in professional communities either online or in your area. You never know what brand owners or managers may be active, too.
Reach Out Directly (Cold Call!)
Don’t hesitate to contact brands directly aka cold call. Craft a compelling pitch that highlights your expertise, audience, and how a partnership can benefit both parties. You can reach out through Instagram, LinkedIn, email, etc.
Utilize Online Platforms: The RD Link!
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of cold calling or pitching via social media or email- that’s where we come in! The RD Link is the only access network for brands and dietitians to connect.
Our platform makes connecting with brand representatives and exploring collaboration possibilities extremely easy. We’ve helped hundreds of dietitians land partnerships with their favorite brands!
Tips for Landing a Brand Partnership
In this last section, we want to briefly touch on some of our best tips for partnering with brands.
We have tons of content and resources on The RD Link that includes our advice for successful brand partnerships. If you’re looking for pitch templates and how to stand out to brands, we highly encourage you to scroll through our platform and check them out!
Here are a few key tips to get started:
- Showcase Expertise: When reaching out to brands, showcase your expertise not only as a dietitian, but beyond that, too. Are you skilled in media work? Are you amazing on video? Include these in your pitch to make you stand out!
- Propose a Win-Win: What value can you bring to the table that benefits both you and the brand? Brands are more likely to partner with you if they see a clear value proposition. Propose a win-win scenario in your pitch that shows the brand the value you bring.
- Be Professional: Maintain a professional demeanor in all communications with brands. Present yourself as a reliable and knowledgeable expert in your area of expertise. Professionalism goes a long way!
- Deliver Quality: Once you secure a partnership, deliver high-quality work that exceeds the brand’s expectations. Building a reputation for excellence can lead to long-term collaborations and additional opportunities with the brand (and other brands, too!).
Brand Partnership Examples: The Takeaway
Brand partnerships offer dietitians many opportunities to expand their reach, enhance their credibility, and grow their practice.
By strategically aligning with brands that share your values, you can amplify your impact and make a significant difference in what matters to you!
With the practical tips and real-life examples we’ve shared, we hope you can confidently navigate the world of brand partnerships.
Brand partnerships can truly open up new avenues for professional growth and success, making you stand out in the competitive landscape of the health industry.
Are you utilizing all of our amazing resources for brand partnerships here at The RD Link?
Here’s what we recommend for best success:
- Frequently update your RD Link profile
- Keep an eye out for our emails- they generally introduce new campaigns and opportunities first!
- Follow our Instagram page for more valuable content and info on brand opportunities
- Apply to any active campaigns you haven’t yet
- In the meantime, login to browse through our free resources and other blog posts
And that’s it- we are confident that you have what it takes to land your favorite brand partnerships!