June 16, 2013

During my webinar last week, one attendee asked if I thought it is feasible to make a living through virtual practice.

It was a fantastic question.

My first instinct: yes, absolutely.  Although I was quick to say so, I have been wondering if I should have given more explanation.

Private practice – whether virtual or face to face – is not easy, especially when you’re getting started. Technology is not a magic cure-all to revitalize your business.  Instead, it’s a tool that may make your life easier if you leverage it properly. To get started you’ll need to invest time, energy and/or money; the learning curve can be frustrating and time consuming.

If your practice isn’t working well in a traditional setting, it’s unlikely that taking it online will work any better.

Although you’ll have lower overhead and more potential clients, you’ll need to overcome technological challenges and it can be difficult to build rapport.  You’ll still have to market yourself and get those potential clients turned into actual clients.

So I’d like to modify my original answer. You can certainly make a living with a virtual practice. But it won’t be any easier than making a living with an “on ground” practice.

It’s important to go with a model of practice that builds on your strengths. Virtual isn’t the answer for everyone, just like offering individual consults isn’t necessarily the best option for everyone.  If you need help figuring out an optimal model for your practice, be sure to check out my Business Kick Starter course.

About Camille Freeman, LDN, RH (she/her)

Hi there! I'm a clinical herbalist and licensed nutritionist specializing in fertility and menstrual health. I run the Monday Mentoring community of practice and also offer continuing education programs for highly-trained herbalists and nutritionists (Check out this year's Deep Dive!). I'm also a professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Maryland University of Integrative Health, where I teach physiology, pathophysiology, and mindful eating.

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