Hello Doulas!
During my training, we discussed ways to market ourselves and get clients. One of the ways suggested was to send a short letter to CBE teachers, along with a card and brochure, and volunteer to come and speak about different topics pertaining to Doulas.
This sounds like something I'd love to do, and definitely can do since there are so many Classes and teachers here! I am just curious to hear what you ladies have to say about it!
I'm wondering how many of you have done this, how you approached the Teacher, how effective your "talk" was, and who plans to do this in the near future?

Ouf, forgot to mention that I'd be interested in hearing about people who have taken this approach with other classes, such as Prenatal Yoga, any kind of Prenatal exercise class, and so on. Thanx!

I did this when I first started out (at prenatal yoga classes).

I have to say it was a total bust and I didn't get a single client because of it. I think women viewed it as a sales pitch, can easily see through the "info session" aspect of it. You'd have much better luck simply going in and talking with the teacher about yourself, leaving some pamphlets and hoping that she refers you.

good luck!

Thank you, Megan.
Have you not tried it since, with a different Class or Group?

I did a few actually, over the course of a couple of months. So I can say pretty confidently that it didn't work for me. But, maybe it's my city, or the way I speak, so you should give it a try, it might be super successful for you.

Thank you for responding, Megan. Was it only Prenatal Yoga classes you spoke at?
Y
ou know what? I think I'll give it a go, just to do something a bit more proactive, you never know! I may not do Yoga studios to begin with, maybe CBE classes.

Has anyone else done this or have any ideas?

I've been speaking at a CBE class since January, so, I think three times now. I have had a long standing relationship with the CBE instructor (since prior to my becoming a doula) so it was an easy "in". I have yet to gain any clients directly from my speaking at the class, although she's been great about passing my name along to those who ask her directly about a doula.

I created an info sheet that just discusses what a doula does that I give everybody, and it does have my name on it. However, I look at my speaking as more about raising general doula-awareness. If I get a client out of it, fabulous, but where in my area, most are unfamiliar with doulas. I think by going in and speaking about it, it just plants a seed. I also think that by seeing me personally and that I'm a normal, next-door-kinda-gal, it removes some of the back to earth, hippiness from it, KWIM?