Which would be more helpful- having a booth, or wandering around networking?

Amelia · 09-04-2009, 08:13 PM

There is a birth and baby fair coming up and the booth rental is outrageously affordable. But I'm fairly new to the birthing community here (haven't met anyone in person yet) and I'm also fairly new to doula'ing. So, I have been going back and forth between which would be more beneficial-having a booth and talking to moms, or wandering around and networking with other birth folks from the area.

Does anyone have any opinions?

bellymamadoula · 09-04-2009, 08:21 PM

typically, you do both. I've been to lots of fairs but find the networking more fun then standing at a table waiting around. I've honeslty never had a good lead from a fair, certainly never broke even on booth rental and printing costs.

DoulaCBE · 09-04-2009, 08:50 PM

If you're not paying for advertising (aka booth rental) it's a bit unethical to show up at a fair and just hand out flyers, etc.

Now certain fair organizers will allow business to do this but they still usually charge a fee for it.

sheila · 09-04-2009, 09:06 PM

I have done a fair once and it cost a fortune. I don't think there is anything wrong with just showing up (you probably pay a small fee to get in) and introducing yourself to birth people. I'd probably bring some business cards just in case.

Amelia · 09-04-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaCBE

If you're not paying for advertising (aka booth rental) it's a bit unethical to show up at a fair and just hand out flyers, etc.

Oh, I absolutely would not be there to hand out fliers to families. I really would just like to meet other providers and get some connections in the area.

JessicaE · 09-06-2009, 07:47 AM

I've organized a Baby/Family expo before. Think about what your purpose is. If it's solely to network with other professionals, then yes, you can probably get away with just going to the event as a consumer. If you want to both network with other professionals AND educate the community about your business and what doulas do, then you need a booth.

I would say that if you go to network, rather than as an exhibitor, be sure to go at "off" hours, such as when the fair first opens, or the last hour before closing. Exhibitors want to network with their potential clients, so while they might also be interested to meet a doula, they may be irritated if your networking interferes with THEIR marketing. So I think you'll get the best results by going at a time that's likely to be quite slow.

We don't get a lot of business directly from the expo that I plan. However, it has been really helpful to raise awareness about what doulas do, and general awareness about our business, which does translate into clients down the line -- just not always directly.

AmandaB · 09-06-2009, 09:30 AM

I read your pst differently, I thought you were asking about renting a booth, as it is affordable and then wandering around now and again to introduce yourself to professional in the area. I am more than ok with that. I am an extreme extrovert and find it troubling to just stand at a booth, especially when no one stops, so I am often fliting around and I find it much easier to connect with people including the public. You can chat someone up and then bring them back to the booth for more information.

But if you are going to go and pay the entrance fee and just talk to professionals then yes definitely do it at slower times.

DoulaMegz · 09-06-2009, 09:53 AM

Amelia, I think if you're going to go to the expo, you really should just meet people there. :-) It's not worth it to get a booth yet for you. But no handing out stuff, just get to know other providers.

happydoula · 09-10-2009, 01:48 AM

If it's really that inexpensive, I'd get a booth. Getting more awareness out there as well as your name is a big step. Maybe you wouldn't get a lead directly from the fair, but someone you met might pass your name along somewhere down the line. You never know. Cheap, quality advertising is something I would never pass up :o)