Ideas?? Non profet events.

christineknapp · 08-09-2008, 01:35 PM

I am preparing for a booth at a Non profet event & am very excited to promote my doula services! I am not however, the best sales person in the market. I am proud of what we are doing & I truely believe that there is a doula for every mom who wants one but I have a problem with the approchment phase. I can talk to people no problem but I have this anxiety & always have had a tough time just walking up to people and throwing it all out there, I guess it's whats called "fear of rejection" I for somereason can't get past the point that they aren't going to listen and I know once they heard me they would be facinated about doulas! So I guess what I'm asking is, does anybody have any advice on how I can turn this around? I want to see an expectant mom or anyone for that matter & just have the urge & confidence to walk up to them and lay it out rather than saying to myself "Oh, look she could benefit from what I do, but... I don't want to bug her" Any other ideas for my booth would be helpful to, I'm kinda just wingin it.
Thank you,
Christine
LMP/Birth Doula
Spokane,WA
509/362-2093

1stimestar · 08-09-2008, 02:17 PM

Well then you are in luck with having a booth. You wont have to walk up to them, they will walk up to you! Just smile and say hi. They can start the conversation then you will be in your element. Good luck.

Tiffany Hensley-Cummings · 08-09-2008, 02:25 PM

I always try to put info on my table that makes people ask questions so I don't have to do all the talking. I put out my hypnobirthing book on a little stand and sure enough people will say "what's hypnobirthing".

christineknapp · 08-10-2008, 12:35 AM

Well I know some people will walk up to me with interest but there are those who wont & I'd still like to share with them too, I guess I need to learn to step out of my bubble! Putting stuff out on the table that makes people ask questions sounds like a great idea i think I'll definately be brain storming what I can do with that!

PostDoula · 08-15-2008, 08:26 PM

What type of non-profit event is it? Maybe you'll find a tie-in that way....
I always have samples and giveaways. I was at an event with a Labor Doula who put free chocolate in a bowl--some people came to screeching hault! Have something on the table that might pique interest--even if its not related to being a Doula. People will ask what the widget is for. A midwife who also does events always asks "Do you know anyone who's expecting?" (Clever way around guessing whether a belly contains a baby or not!)
Being calm and friendly goes a looong way! These events are a great way to increase awareness about Doulas--whether you directly get a client from it or not. HAVE FUN!