i got my first client through word of mouth (my sister's accountant) and my second (client to be - not preggo yet) is my best friend.
i plan to leave my business cards with my midwives that delivered my kids. their co-operative asked me to so i figure they'll be a good way. i'm also planning on leaving cards (and possibly brochures) in local shops and other places that pregnancy women frequent.
but i'd love to hear what has been successful for other women.
website, website, website!
The two biggest way my clients find me are:
Through my web site.
Word of mouth from satisfied clients, who probably found me on my web site.
Other than maintaining my web site, I don't do any other marketing, and I am as busy as I want to be - I do about 10 births a year. (Keep in mind I've been doing this work for 8 years, too, and the first few years were not so busy.)
website, website, website!
The two biggest way my clients find me are:
Through my web site.
Word of mouth from satisfied clients, who probably found me on my web site.
Other than maintaining my web site, I don't do any other marketing, and I am as busy as I want to be - I do about 10 births a year. (Keep in mind I've been doing this work for 8 years, too, and the first few years were not so busy.)
So how, then do you market your website? Do you post flyers with your website? How do you get traffic to your website to get the calls?
Your web address should be on every printed thing you give to anybody and on your voicemail message.
Your website needs to be coded correctly so that search engines will index it and you should submit yourself for search engine review about every six weeks.
You can get really cheap online advertising (10cents per click or so) through Google Adwords.
Yep website, Dona site and I am a Firm Believer in Networking with other Doulas in your area. They will make you or break you, if you don't play nice with them they won't give out your information when they are booked up or when a client just doesn't "Click" with them.
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Serving Baton Rouge, Hammond, Covington, New Orleans and even your own bedroom.
** I ain't your mama's Doula**
Website, referrals from happy past clients, referrals from care providers who were happy with the care I provided past clients, referrals from other doulas, and I am a member of several local groups (two different mommy groups, homebirth support group, playgroup, doula group, etc.) and my website is in my signature line...
I just got my second client (yay) and she found me from a flyer I had up in Earthfare.
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"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals". ~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I have been finding clients through word of mouth, but mostly through FREE advertising on local advertising websites, and some of the Doula websites like Doulanetwork and Find A Doula. I also pass out business cards wherever I go and leave some behind if I go to the midwives office, etc. A few other DOulas and myself also try to schedul 'talks' for different moms groups etc. We also plan on having a "meet the doula' event as well. We are also organizing our own Family Health Fair in September which will be very exciting!
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MOM to 2 beautiful little girls - Sidney (March 21/07) and Olivia (April 10/04) Both were awesome home births!!
Spring has sprung! 
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