Tech Savvy Dietitian: Websites, Local SEO & Marketing for Dietitians in Private Practice

Mastering Local SEO for Dietitians with Sam Sarsten of Thencan DesignsIn this episode of the Tech Savvy Dietician, Courtney interviews Sam Sarsten from Thencan Designs to dive deep into local SEO tailored for dieticians. They cover essential strategies including the importance of service and location pages, Google business profiles, and tackling the challenge of being licensed in multiple states. Sam shares his journey and expertise, offering actionable tips and real-life success stories that highlight the impact of effective local SEO. This episode is packed with practical advice, from keyword research to leveraging Google tools, and emphasizes the value of showing up in local searches without compromising on professional integrity.SAM'S WEBSITEFREE LOCAL SEO LESSONSFREE LOCAL SEO STRATEGY VIDEODECLET DESIGNS90 DAY LOCAL SEO INTENSIVE WITH DECLET DESIGNS00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:35 Meet Sam Sarsten: Local SEO Expert00:56 Sam's Journey into Local SEO03:34 Success Stories and Client Results05:40 Local SEO Strategies for Dieticians10:34 Expanding Your Reach with Local SEO14:58 Telehealth and Google Business Profiles21:49 Keyword Research and Tools28:14 Navigating Terminology Challenges32:01 Medical Nutrition Therapy vs. GLP-132:22 Common Misconceptions in SEO33:23 Tracking Keywords Effectively34:57 Optimizing for 'Near Me' Searches39:40 Importance of Location Pages49:04 Google Business Profile and AI Search51:42 Rapid Fire Questions and SEO Tips56:42 Resources and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Megan Coulter, a copywriter and AI educator, joins us to discuss her journey from fearing AI to embracing it. Megan shares practical tips on how solopreneurs and entrepreneurs can leverage AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper AI, and others for better content creation, marketing, and productivity. She emphasizes the importance of interacting with AI in a conversational manner and using it for brainstorming and market research. Additionally, the episode explores various AI tools integrated into software like Canva and Descript, and offers reassuring advice for those hesitant to adopt AI. Megan advocates for starting with one AI tool and gradually integrating its capabilities into your workflow.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:17 Megan's Journey into AI00:52 First Impressions of AI01:17 Rediscovering AI's Potential02:47 Using AI for Copywriting04:32 Prompting AI Effectively06:04 Creating Custom GPTs07:39 Voice and Tone in AI15:25 Comparing AI Tools19:43 Exploring AI Tools for Entrepreneurs19:52 Canva's AI Features21:29 Descript and Cast Magic for Podcasting22:59 AI in Healthcare and Ethical Concerns25:06 Fathom AI and Meeting Summaries27:07 Using AI for Social Media Content33:53 Tips for Dietitians Using AI36:03 Overcoming AI Fears and Getting Started40:00 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWORK WITH DECLET DESIGNSMEGAN'S WEBSITE

GuestMichelle Bourbonniere, PhD — SEO strategist, researcher, and founder of Words on the Rise Freebie: Cheat Sheet to Showing Up Well in AI Answers → words on the rise.com/aiWhat we coverIs SEO dead because of AI? What’s still true, and what’s changingThe big shift: AI tools now have access to live search results (and why that matters for small businesses)How Google’s AI can personalize results based on what you’ve read vs. haven’t read (helpful… and creepy)Why AI Overviews and AI Mode are rewriting your message — and how that affects trust + conversionsThe difference between using AI for generating (emails, scripts) vs searching (recommendations, providers)Why being “a dietitian” isn’t enough: how AI personalization can reward specific audiences + specialtiesOff-page SEO is evolving: brand mentions can matter more than backlinks in AI searchReddit: how to show up without being salesy (and why etiquette + credibility matter)Michelle’s “3 R’s” framework for AI visibility:Recognition (does AI understand your brand?)Reputation (what does AI say when someone searches your name + reviews?)Results (do you appear when someone searches for a provider like you?)A practical starting point: test your visibility in an incognito windowThe “wait, WHAT?” moment: AI pulling info from your terms & conditions because it’s the clearest writingAre blog posts still worth it? When they do make sense, and when they’re not the best use of timeRecipe blogs and indexing reality: why Google may ignore “one more chocolate chip cookie recipe”Action steps mentionedOpen an incognito browser window and test prompts your ideal clients would askCheck whether AI gets your business basics right (services, specialties, location/licensure)Make your most important info clear + concise on the pages you actually want AI to citeBuild consistent brand mentions across platforms (podcasts, bios, socials, community spaces)Listen/learn moreDownload Michelle’s cheat sheet: https://wordsontherise.com/aiSubscribe to her newsletter for ongoing AI search updates (sent about every two weeks)

[00:00] IntroductionWhy follow-ups matter: It's not just lost income, it's broken trustThe reality of running a practice: sessions, sick kids, and things filed under "later"[02:00] Common Follow-Up Moments That Get ForgottenPotential client inquiriesDiscovery calls that went quietClients who ghosted mid-package (yes, even prepaid ones!)Unanswered portal messagesPeople who downloaded freebies but never heard from you againThese are relationship moments, not just admin tasks[04:00] Gmail & Google Workspace SolutionsUsing labels and folders (Courtney's an inbox zero + folder person!)Smart inboxes in Apple Mail desktop appCourtney's favorite folders: Meetings folder (automatically sorts all meeting invites)To-Do (using orange flag + orange heart emoji)Waiting on Reply (purple flag + purple heart emoji)Pro tip: Use emoji to remember which flag color = which folder[07:00] MailButler Game-ChangerCreates tasks directly from emailsIntegrates with Apple RemindersWhy Courtney switched from big project management tools to Apple Reminders for small tasks"It's the little things that slip through the cracks and cause the most risk"[09:00] Practice Better TipsUse tags to flag clients who haven't booked their second sessionCreate tasks within Practice BetterFilter clients who don't have recent bookings[10:00] The Natural Flow QuestionJust like habits with clients: if it doesn't come naturally, you won't use itLook at what you ALREADY use (email, calendar) and build on thatGoogle Tasks is right there in Google Calendar—use what's in your faceDon't create a Google Sheet tracker if you never open Google Sheets[12:00] What to Actually Say in Follow-UpsDon't overthink it—keep it short and warmFor inquiries: "Hey, I just wanted to follow up in case my last message got buried. I'm still happy to chat if you're interested."For ghosted clients: "I've been thinking about you and wanted to check in. There's no pressure, but I'm here if you're ready to reconnect."For missed questions: "Apologies for the delay. I missed your message earlier, but I wanted to circle back."Remember: We're connecting, not selling[14:00] The Power of Email TemplatesSave brain power by having templates readyReference to previous episode on email templatesThese feel-good follow-ups are perfect template candidates[15:00] Action Items Choose 2 of the following:Create a "Waiting For" label/folder in Gmail and assign to 3 emails NOWCalendar block: "Follow-Up Friday" (30 minutes weekly to sweep missed replies)Add a "Follow-Up Needed" custom field in Practice BetterCreate a follow-up tracking board (Notion/ClickUp/SmartSuite)Try MailButler (or similar email management extension)[17:00] Courtney's Current SetupApple Mail (never bothered before, but now loves it)MailButler extensionBusy Cal coordinationSmartSuite for big project boards"You won't know what works for you until you try something"[18:00] Final ThoughtsPick the EASIEST action item—we're not trying to be fancyFollowing up doesn't make you pushy, it makes you reliableStop leaving money, trust, and client progress on the tableAvailable services: Strategy sessions + system setup at Declet Designs, or join Clinician Crew[19:00] Next Episode Preview Digital boundaries: What to do when clients message you at 10 PM on SaturdayConnect with Courtney:Website: decletdesigns.comCommunity: cliniciancrew.comSchedule a strategy session for system setup helpLeave a Review: If this episode helped your practice feel a little lighter, follow the show and leave a review!

Highlights:00:02 – Why automating doesn’t mean losing your personal touch04:15 – What to automate: scheduling, reminders, forms, and payments09:40 – Tools that make automation easier (without adding another subscription)13:20 – How to set up automated post-session check-ins that actually help18:05 – What should never be automated — red flags, emotional follow-ups, and referrals25:10 – The concept of “hybrid automations” and how Courtney uses them28:50 – A mini-challenge: audit your weekly tasks and automate one thingMentioned Tools & Ideas:Practice BetterGoogle Workspace schedulerTidyCal & CalendlyStripe, Square, QuickBooksHybrid automation ideas (template-plus-personalization)Next Steps: ➡️ Audit your weekly tasks to find one thing to automate. ➡️ Create one new email or intake template to save future you some sanity. ➡️ Write your “never automate” list for clarity and boundaries.Connect with Courtney:💻 decletdesigns.com🧠 cliniciancrew.com✉️ Follow The Tech-Savvy Dietitian Podcast for more practical systems talk — minus the buzzwords.