In This Issue

Yes, You Need A Contract

NICOLE RODRIGUEZ RDN, NASM-CPT

CHAIR

My fellow NE-RDs: have you read They Call Me Supermensch, the memoir and business guide by music-manager extraordinaire Shep Gordon? I highly recommend adding it to your 2021 book list (OK, maybe I’m a little biased toward all the Teddy Pendergrass content) and taking to heart some of his lessons on successfully conducting business guided by compassion� And while he somehow managed the aforementioned artist and Alice Cooper for 30+ years sans contract, the same can’t be managed in dietetics when your expertise and likeness are on the line� As the kids these days might say, I don’t know who needs to hear this, but yes, you DO need a contract�

Because we are often guided by compassion (that’s why you studied dietetics in the first place, right?), we sometimes fall into the trap of lending our credentials, likeness and time without protecting our own best interests� And when we’re just starting out, discerning the potential benefits of exposure from flat-out being taken advantage of presents another set of challenges�

Surely I’m not the only one who’s been burnt by offering my likeness in good faith, but I’ll share the cautionary tale of a dietitian and fitness trainer� For argument’s sake, let’s call her Nicole Rodriguez� With her heart in the right place and wanting to spread the word about an up-and-coming fitness equipment manufacturer, she enthusiastically posted positive Amazon reviews, a blog post and tagged the brand on social media� Feeling small, she was thrilled when the brand reached out to her about improving the product, offering prototypes, asking to share her videos and eventually asking for more paid content pending approval� While fitness-related content was her jam anyway, she was pretty disappointed to see photos of her butt (I mean covered in spandex obviously, but still) as the brand’s promotional materials on Amazon, and to be denied the agreedupon price for workout videos� Silly Nicole – sounds like she should have protected her LIKENESS with a contract�

Because we are often guided by compassion, we sometimes fall into the trap of lending our credentials, likeness and time without protecting our own best interests�

So, before you get into the nitty-gritty of lawyer-speak and fine-tuning contracts, please be reminded that no matter how small a brand you feel you are at the moment, you don’t know where you’ll be in six months, let alone six years, and a handshake or verbal agreement, whether dealing with a stranger, fellow influencer or family “friend,” isn’t going to cut it� One more time for the folks in the back: GET IT IN WRITING!

Nicole Rodriguez, RDN, NASM-CPT, resides in the metro New York area, where she offers in-home meal prep, small-group training and nutrition coaching� Additionally, Nicole serves as a communications consultant and as the in-house dietitian for NavaFit (an app that connects workout buddies across the country)� A passionate Master of Beef Advocacy, she’s on an eternal quest for the best burger and sharing facts about the animal agriculture industry along the way � Eager to make a positive impact on the next generation, Nicole recently took on the role as leader of her daughter’s Daisy Girl Scout Troop�