Frustration

[Tiffany Hensley-Cummings]

I'm frustrated and need some encouragement. I haven't recieved any responses to my buisness cards or other outreach attempts. I really feel like I have something to offer but this area is soooo hard to break through to. I've been to one birth and I have one client but she's only 9weeks. I just really want to be doing the work and I'm not seeing any result from the effort I'm putting out.

[nocomparta]

Must Have Labor Doula Marketing Manual

I've been told if you do everything in this book, you'll be beating the clients off with a stick. I haven't done ALL of it, and I stay pretty booked up, as much as I can handle for now! Wouldn't hurt to try it.

V

[MothertheMother]

I've heard many great ideas here on alldoulas and I think they are all covered in this book. It is definitely worth the price.

[AussieDoula]

I would say one of my biggest client-bookers in the early part of my Doula business was to go to them. What I mean is that I couldn't just hand out all my brochures and business cards and then sit at home waiting for clients to contact me. I had to get out and become an active voice in my community and make my presence known in birthing circles.

I started by going to all the prenatal, breastfeeding, pregnancy/baby-related workshops and classes that I could. Even sitting in on a class and saying "Hi, I'm a birth Doula and am more than happy to answer anyone's questions at break or the end of the class" let families and birth professionals know I was in the area and got me exposure without pressuring anyone. I was lucky enough that my local CBEs and LCs invited me back to talk in their classes about Doulas and what we do. I spent a lot of time "marketing" myself this way, by meeting people and plugging myself into the birthing community. Much of your time will be volunteered at the beginning, but a few hours spent networking at an event here and there proved to be much more effective and a lot less draining for me (emotionally and financially) than if I had've spent that time trying to find a handful of clients to volunteer services for and hoping that they would give good word of mouth referrals to kickstart my business for me.

I haven't read the "Must Have Labor Doula Marketing Manual" so I can't comment on it's content or effectiveness, but if you start putting yourself out there, earn a reputation as a knowledgable and friendly Doula, and become known in your area for what you do, clients will follow.

[1stimestar]

It takes an average of 2 years for a doula business to be established. Do be proactive and get your face and your name out there like Aussie said, then be patient. It's just like we tell our clients. Do every thing you can to prepare yourself for a healthy labor and birth, then get a load of patience and let the baby decide which day to come.

[tlcdoula]

I am sorry that you are feeling discouraged, but sometimes it takes time to get a business going. The key is to not give up and to keep moving forward. I know when I first started someone told me that it takes two years for the average business to really get going and to know if you will make it in the business - I found that to be very true!!!

Keep doing what you are doing and find more avenues for advertising and then be patient.

[Doula Network of LI]

As someone stated in the above replies, One of THE most effective things is to visit with any CBE's in your area. Meet them for lunch, get to know them, give them your information. Once they start handing out your info, ask to come to their class and speak about doula's. I find that clients trust their CBE's and will use the service of someone they recommend.
It does take a little volunteering but once you start a clientelle base, word of mouth is the best advertising.
Good luck to you

[doula Michele]

Yup..sounds pretty normal to me.
I have been at this 3 years, and just getting to the point where all my work is really paying off.