How do you get clients?

Luv2bemommy · 01-08-2006, 11:09 PM

Another one of those "just curious" questions.. I am new to this, still doing my required reading so I have never attended a birth yet, other then my own of course.

Just wondering what you all do to get clients, fliers? Brochures? Business cards? Anything else?

Thanks!

Tashina Marker · 01-09-2006, 12:42 AM

Hello Again Candice,
I get my clients by passing out fliers to health food stores,pregnancy centers,hospitals,local midwives,women's center's,yoga shops,chiroprators,& women I see in the baby sections in stores & of course there's word of mouth.

I will admit I am working towards certification through ALACE & have only done 2 births as a doula.I witnessed 3 homebirths before my training.My births as a doula both came froma local midwife office,1 from her assistant & the other from the midwife herself.

Anyways that's what I do.Hope that helps you out.

wendoula · 01-09-2006, 09:32 AM

I typed up a letter and enclosed a couple of my brochures and cards and mailed them to all the local doctors,massage therapist, chirapractors, YWCA etc... Everywhere I go if there is a board for notices I tack a few business cards up.

Tiffany · 01-09-2006, 09:58 AM

For me lately it has been word of mouth. When I first started, my doula trainer who ran her own doula group would pass volunteer clients onto her trainees. I volunteered my services to lower-income or less fortunate mothers and I had a nice starting client base. I hung up fliers on any bulletin board I found (though I don't think I got any calls from the fliers themselves).

motherwise · 01-09-2006, 11:40 AM

When i was looking for my certifying births I posted an ad on Craigslist in the free section and the baby and kids stuff section. I got so many clients this way that I ended up re-posting after a few weeks (the listings are removed after 7 days, so you have to re-post) an ad charging $175. Now, i still post on craigslist from time to time (people who go there are generally looking for a good deal, so I only use it if things are slow and i want to do a little discount or something) and also doula listing sites online (this forum has one, also doulanetwork.com etc.) I try to give small stacks of business cards to family and friends and then if they know someone they can pass them on. i also offer a referral program to my clients.

DL · 01-09-2006, 01:38 PM

My first client (while pursuing cert.) was a friend of mine; she was seeing a couple of CNMs. Her birth was when I first met the Midwives. Since then, the majority of my other clients so far have been clients of those Midwives. They now refer me to their clients, and even place a flyer of mine in EVERY New OB Packet for their new clients! I feel really blessed to have this set-up! If you could make arrangements to meet Midwives and OBs in your area, you might find it helpful for you.

Another thing that has given me clients is through a website for Birthworkers of Central Ohio, a local birth workers organization (doulas, CBEs, Midwives, massage therapists, chiropractors, etc.). Members of this org. have the option to have their contact info and websites linked off of their site. It's a busy site, and so it's a great, extremely low-cost marketing opportunity!

If you have any similar orgs in your area, I HIGHLY recommend you joining! Networking is very helpful in getting your name out and for referrals!

I hand out my business cards any time I can to people that I meet (unless it seems highly inappropriate, considering the situation). To be perfectly honest, since I get some of my favorite Midwives' clients, I haven't pursued marketing as aggressively as I know I could.