Marketing/business tips for Doulas??

[SarahEiley]

Hi ladies,

Can we start a thread for midwifery practices, doulas and CBE's etc. that where we can share "marketing" ideas? I knwo not many of us enter this kind of birth work with business degrees, but there are some pretty business savvy ladies out there who know how to do things right! Let's share ideas....

* I'm wondering, how successful are Doulas with having their own websites? Is it worth the cost of web design and hosting? Do you get more clients that way?

* I love surfing through midwives and doulas websites and seeing everyone's personal logos.... where do ya'll get them designed??? I have lots of inspired and creative ideas for my own design, but definetly don't have the artistic ability to make it come to life....

* Has anyone tried joining small business networking groups to get word out there about your services?

*How else do you get the word out, meet clients and get your name known in your community?

Let's discuss....... Share your creative and successful ideas here!

[happyartmama]

I was fortunate in that I hit it off and formed a friendship with the childbirth teacher that taught the class my husband and I took; after I became a doula, she invited me to speak at her classes, which is obviously a great place to meet potential clients. I think overall though,it can be a challenge--you dobn't want to come across forward, aggressive, etc. with every pregnant mom you see at the grocery.

As for logos. brochures, business cards, etc., my husband is in marketing and graphic design. He did all my stuff and is now working on other birth professionals' business literature as well--it seems there were a lot of us out there just trying to "wing it" on our own, and when someone has access to libraries of images (pregnancy, birth, newborms, etc.) it's a lot easier! If you need help in that area, let me know, and I'll be excited to see everyone else's responses.

[tlcdoula]

* I'm wondering, how successful are Doulas with having their own websites? Is it worth the cost of web design and hosting? Do you get more clients that way? I have found that many clients like to see the information printed online prior to scheduling an appointment with me. I have had many people tell me they hired me over another doula because of my website. I designed my own site, so other then the hosting it costs me nothing to create it.

* I love surfing through midwives and doulas websites and seeing everyone's personal logos.... where do ya'll get them designed??? I have lots of inspired and creative ideas for my own design, but definetly don't have the artistic ability to make it come to life....I was very lucky because my daughter created the major part of my logo when she was 15 yrs old, so again I didn't have to pay anyone to create it.

* Has anyone tried joining small business networking groups to get word out there about your services?I have not.

*How else do you get the word out, meet clients and get your name known in your community? Word of mouth is the best advertisement. Get out there and start introducing yourself to people and giving out your cards and once you start getting satisfied clients they can start referring their friends and family members your way.

[SarahEiley]

bump!

[Eli's_mommy]

You can get a host name and free website through microsoft office online. I know that I am the sort of person that prefers that someone have a website (regardless of their business) just because it gives you an easy idea of what you can expect before you commit to actually going out and meeting a stranger. I could be weird though

[iemaja]

What a great thread! I just finished my doula training and I've been brainstorming ideas for the business side of this wonderful work. I work full time at a university, so I intend to seek graphic design students and technology students who would like to earn some experience and a little cash. You may want contact the departments at a nearby community college or university to find these types of people.