Client Binders

PeacefulBeginnings · 05-29-2008, 02:05 AM

So, I have noticed a lot of thread where you talk about binders. I'm gathering from your posts that a lot of you have some sort of binder with info in it? Pregnancy/childbirth related stuff I'd assume?

What do you have in YOUR binder? What types of things to you like to see included? And is this something you loan out, or how does that work?

I have been thinking about doing this for a while, but didn't know where to start!

amymaew · 05-29-2008, 08:33 AM

There are a lot of great threads about binders and what's in them here. I have two - a pregnancy one and a postpartum one. The pregnancy one has, er, pregnancy stuff in it, including birth plan info, cesarean info, stages of labor, breech info, l&d info, and the postpartum one has stuff about newborns, newborn procedures, sex after childbirth, vaccines, stuff like that. hth!

vickie_f · 05-29-2008, 09:24 AM

I have collected so much information in just the last few months that I am in need of separating my binders too. I will probably do just as Amy has done and divide as pregnancy/birth and postpartum/baby care. I have originals and a few copies of each.

I take my binder(s) to my childbirth class and display it for my students to look through. If they want a copy of anything, they are free to take one.

I am considering starting yet another binder with just "Comfort Techniques in Labor" stuff in it as there is an INCREDIBLE amount of information about that out there. Also, I am planning to have "Comfort Techniques" seminars later this year. I am working on getting a class developed right now. I think "Comfort Technique" binders will help me with this venture.

I may, as others have suggested here, put my binders on DVDs to hand out in class if someone wants one. It would be cheaper than making all the copies before each class.

Vickie

amymaew · 05-29-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vickie_f

I have originals and a few copies of each.

I take my binder(s) to my childbirth class and display it for my students to look through. If they want a copy of anything, they are free to take one.
It would be cheaper than making all the copies before each class.

I lend mine out - they're part of my lending library (and if I could find the darn pegs for the shelves I could get that organized!

) and they're more than welcome to make copies, but I don't make extras. I figure they can spend their 5 cents a page or whatever if they really want something.

DoulaCBE · 05-29-2008, 10:17 AM

Every client who hires me is loaned a prenatal binder containing information from staying hydrated during pregnancy through birth and breastfeeding and newborn care.

Everything is in page protectors and if they really want to keep a handout they're free to make a copy or take one of the handouts.

If they want more than one they can purchase a CD with everything on it from me for a small fee to cover the CD, label and case.

helpinghands · 05-29-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaCBE

Every client who hires me is loaned a prenatal binder containing information from staying hydrated during pregnancy through birth and breastfeeding and newborn care.

Everything is in page protectors and if they really want to keep a handout they're free to make a copy or take one of the handouts.

If they want more than one they can purchase a CD with everything on it from me for a small fee to cover the CD, label and case.

I am LOVIN' all the great ideas in this thread. It definately makes me think about how to keep my binders accessible and inviting to my clients..I think the CD idea is fab for a small fee in addition to the binders.

vickie_f · 05-29-2008, 06:48 PM

I just had a thought here. Does putting our binders on CD's and charging a small fee for them violate any copyright laws? Wouldn't it be considered selling someone else's work. My binders contain quite a lot of my own work but I do have a bunch of stuff I collected over the last few months.

helpinghands · 05-29-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vickie_f

I just had a thought here. Does putting our binders on CD's and charging a small fee for them violate any copyright laws? Wouldn't it be considered selling someone else's work. My binders contain quite a lot of my own work but I do have a bunch of stuff I collected over the last few months.

I didn't think about that

but if you are just charging for the cd, the case.. I don't see why that would be a problem.

DoulaCBE · 05-29-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vickie_f

I just had a thought here. Does putting our binders on CD's and charging a small fee for them violate any copyright laws? Wouldn't it be considered selling someone else's work. My binders contain quite a lot of my own work but I do have a bunch of stuff I collected over the last few months.

I haven't consulted a lawyer or copyright specialist on it, but I'm not selling the contents of the CD, I'm simply charging a few bucks to cover the actual CD, cover and label and ink that I use to print the labels.

Would it be viewed any differently if I say added $15 to my fee and gave each client a binder to keep, but it wasn't stated that $15 of my fee went to provide the binder it was just lumped into the total cost for services.

AussieDoula · 05-30-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vickie_f

I just had a thought here. Does putting our binders on CD's and charging a small fee for them violate any copyright laws? Wouldn't it be considered selling someone else's work. My binders contain quite a lot of my own work but I do have a bunch of stuff I collected over the last few months.

As far as I'm aware, you can charge for the cost of the CD and the time it took you to compile everything on it; you just can't charge for the contents. You can always consult a lawyer in your area who is familiar with copyright laws for specific advice.