Cost of a Booth

motherstouchdoula · 09-28-2006, 10:27 AM

One of our local hospitals is putting on a baby fair (Baby Grand) stinking booth/table is $500.00 - It is from 8 am to 1pm For $200.00 they can put our flyers in the "gift bags". Guess I am going to have to sell my blood or give up a kidney to get there..LOL

~Tranquility~Doula · 09-28-2006, 10:30 AM

Are there any other doulas/CBE's that you can get together with to get a booth?

motherstouchdoula · 09-28-2006, 10:33 AM

No..That is the bummer part..These ppl are bleeding this poor doula to death..

tlcdoula · 09-28-2006, 10:42 AM

Honestly I haven't heard from too many people who have done booths and ended up with lots of clients to make it worth the money. I know that probably doesn't help

doulaamber · 09-28-2006, 10:54 AM

I wanted to get a booth at the womens expo and it is also $500

Acacia · 09-28-2006, 11:05 AM

That is crazy...Are they just wanting to bring in "big" name people or what? Would it be more beneficial to see if you can get a few other doulas together and produce a flyer to go in the bags announcing a get to know the doulas night? You could list everyones info on the sheet etc and then hopefully have a good turnout for your doula night. Just a suggestion!

ctowndoula · 09-28-2006, 11:37 AM

If it helps, I have only gotten one client (a private class actually) from a free class, table or event that I have ever done in the past six years.

There might be some that have come b/c I stood out there and talked up doulas and that whole six degrees of separation thing...but I only do it when it is cheap or free anymore.

My web site is where I get half my business. Word of mouth is the other half.

BeautyBirth · 09-28-2006, 01:23 PM

I am doing a show this weekend and the table was $35.

surrodoula · 09-28-2006, 05:09 PM

I personally wouldn't pay that much - chances are, the return won't be worth the investment!

motherstouchdoula · 09-28-2006, 06:23 PM

Yeah, I (we) aren't I wanted to do it to get the word out about the LCC (La Childbirth Collective) but we are a non-profit and I even asked what was their non-profit price and that was it..so IMO that are out to make coin not really out to help moms. I would be happy if this hospital would become baby friendly. Which I also, don't ever seeing happening in my lifetime.

They have a baby grand 2xs a year I may get in on the goodie bags at the next one but, I don't ever see getting a booth...and ROSS (no not the clothes store..LOL) is one of their BIG Donators $5,000.00

AussieDoula · 09-28-2006, 09:52 PM

Have your tried approaching companies to sponser your booth? If they're small local businesses, you can get two or three to pitch in.
They don't even have to be baby-related.

You'd be surprised how willing people may be to sponser you for a little free advertising.

Try planning in advance for things like this with your LCC where you hold various fundraisers and secure donations/financial support and sponsering from other companies through the year to have enough cash in your group/club account to enable you to buy tables at annual fairs and other promotional expenses.