An Advocacy Letter That Is Also Good Marketing

One of the best teachers I've learned from, Joshua Rosenthal of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, once said that you can make more progress when you aim for the middle ground with your actions and words. He was referring to the die-hard, my-way-or-the-highway, food police type wellness pros that tend to alienate rather than welcome people to their way of thinking. This can be off putting and often leaves the public thinking, "there goes another weird health nut ranting and raving about the doom and gloom of another evil food." So what's a wellness pro to do when you have a undeniable passion and strong opinion about health and wellness? It's all in how you say things. It's all in how you present yourself. And mostly, it's all in the energy that's behind the words and actions you choose. Alexandra Jamieson who is clearly passionate and a strong proponent of the vegan lifestyle. She takes a stand, talks about what she thinks and is able to speak with anyone about veganism. All without being abrasive, combative or sounding like another health food nut. I suspect this is a big reason she's a sought out speaker. For example, when she recently went to her new pediatrician's office for her son's check-up, she was dismayed by seeing a bowl of fructose-laden, artificially dyed candy being offered to kids. She could have handled this in many different ways. She could have made a comment to the receptionist (that might have only served to make him/her feel dumb for not knowing what was in that candy). She could have right then and there stomped out of the doctor's office and wrote a nasty blog about them, or demanded to speak with the doctor in-between appointments (probably catching the physician in a less than optimal moment). Nope. Instead, she wrote a warm, thoughtful letter about the possibility of upgrading that candy bowl and hand delivered it with a package of the natural, vegan friendly candy that could replace the junky kind in the office. Not only is this letter clearly taking a stand, but it's presented in such a way that was most likely to get through to her pediatrician, and delivered with a good dollop of kindness (read: not assuming this person is a ninny), patience and appreciation. I suspect Alex will get a whole lot back from this interaction, beyond a vegan friendly bowl of candy in the office. It may even help to grow her business in referrals, partnerships and more. The next time you're ready to fire off a comment about what's right and what's wrong about health and nutrition, consider that there may be a way to communicate what you do that not only will ensure it gets heard, but in a way that may be great for your business too.