Ladies, I'd like to get your feedback on this. I've been a doula for a long time now and have "womaned" booths at many birth/baby fairs over the years. I don't think I can recall EVER getting a new client as a result of these events!

I do believe it is effective as far as community education goes. (Lots of time spent explaining what a doula is.)

What is your experience? Do you get clients from these efforts?

Interesting. I have'nt done any, but have wondered if its worth it as well. Some of the fees can be quite a bit, so I don't know that I will ever do one.

I have experienced this also. LOTS and lots of opportunities for community education but never have had a client directly from one.

I have been to one baby expo and lost my tush. Never again!

I do better at local festivals (places families and dating couples go!!!) as a henna artist that offers a free pregnancy decal if you happen to have a "bump." The henna always pays for my booth space, sometimes with extra left over. I have a captive audience to tell about my pregnancy services. I have gotten business from it (not doula, but more belly art). At least I don't feel like I'm wasting my time by not getting anything in return. I feel like I'm getting paid to advertise.

Hope this helps you.

The henna idea is a good one. I have rented booths at fairs for various non-birth things in the past and found that services don't sell. What does work is to get a booth that sells cash and carry items to pay for your time and trouble (and to advertise). I would sell booklets, or breastfeeding bracelets, cloth diapers, birth art, jewelry...that kind of thing. People will drop 5-10 bucks easily and then go home with your card

When I do it, I do it with someone else and share the cost of the table. I do it more, not for the clients exactly, but people see me and think when they hear doula.....they will think me as they see my name every year! The DR's, the midwives and all....they see me too.
I did get a couple potential clients today when I did a baby fair.

Our group has had good luck with having a table at kids' consignment sales.

Our Doula agency has found, in the last 15 years, that our focus is on education and resources for the community, but we get the most clients at BABY events, no women events...
For instance, we just did a wellness expo and did not really get clients from that, but did a lot of promotion....