Is this a good idea?

jessadoula · 02-18-2008, 11:59 AM

Hi all,
Some context: I am still at the very early stages of my doula & CBE training (i.e. still working on the CBI courses, not yet completed the material). I will be going on paid parental leave in about 5 weeks, when my partner has our 2nd baby!

And I am planning to get going on my training & certificaiton in earnest during this time.
My partner is a cloth diapering & sewing genius, and one of my friends (who is 7 months pg) has asked her to give a mini-workshop at her house this week for 3 pregnant couples. I will likely go along & take care of our daughter during the presentation. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to take along some business cards (that I would need to get made between now & then, lol) and mention that I am a trainee doula & CBE who is looking for experience, certification births etc.
I have to confess that it`s this part of the whole doula business that is the most difficult for me--promoting my services to friends. Strangers, no biggie, but friends for some reason...
Anyway, does this sound like a good idea to anyone? I'm still really early in my training so I'm wondering if it's too early to start getting my name out there, yk?

Thanks in advance, wise doulas!

MamaMichelle · 02-18-2008, 12:18 PM

I think it's a great idea. I am also with CBI and trying to get my name out there. My first mama asked if she could pass my name to her friends and I said absolutely, I am working on a website, I am putting my names on doula listing sites, etc. I WISH I had real LIVE people to give cards to.

How else are you going to get your cert births? Also, I quickly came to realize that either people will take it or leave it. With info they can make a choice but without it they have nothing to choose from. HTH Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DL · 02-18-2008, 12:22 PM

I think that it is a great opportunity to introduce to them to what it is that you're doing! They can maybe not only learn what a doula is (if they don't already know), but also learn that you could be available to them if they so choose. Worst case scenario? Even if they don't need a doula for themselves, they will at least have your name to share with others if the opportunity arises. I think it's a win-win situation either way as far as getting your name out there goes. As I always say, "You can't win if you don't enter!"

amymaew · 02-18-2008, 01:13 PM

Sure can't hurt

chloe2326 · 02-18-2008, 02:00 PM

Go for it! You can't get the experience if you don't get your name out there!

And congratulations!

missilla · 02-20-2008, 09:57 AM

I think that is a wonderful idea!!!!!

and I think others will too.

jaxdoula · 02-20-2008, 10:57 AM

DO IT!

It can't hurt.

Sounds like a great idea...and a great way to market yourself.

IslandDoula · 02-20-2008, 01:24 PM

I think it's a great idea also!

jessadoula · 02-20-2008, 06:04 PM

Thanks everyone! I picked up some business card stuff last night & started designing them...I guess I should also figure out my availability which I think is likely September at this point (new baby, moving house, want to finish a bit more of my training...). But I'm so pleased to be actually doing something!

onyxravnos · 02-20-2008, 06:36 PM

i do similer classes and i just make a littke packet to give to everyone with cloth diaper info / local baby biz cards (mine included) etc etc

bcarrera · 02-20-2008, 06:42 PM

Sounds like a great idea!

earthgirl · 02-20-2008, 06:45 PM

ABSOLUTELY!