Top 10 business questions from new doulas
The 10 most common Business questions I get asked by new doulas…
1) How do I choose a name for my business?
What business name strikes your fancy? Do you have a logo in mind? What will resonate with your market? And do yourself a favor…
Don’t try to be like someone else. Be YOU. There is only one you and YES! You have a market that is attracted to you!
When you come up with an idea, check the trademark. Then check to see if the URL domain is available. I can not stress this enough. Imagine buying a domain, getting a website up, making tee shirts and paying for marketing materials and then - THEN - find out you are are in a trademark violation. Yikes. Save yourself trouble and money and do a FREE trademark search. I would also purchase your own name as a URL. For example, I have emilywannenburg.com which redirects to my doula page, which is www.memmysmommas.com .
Also, don’t make professional enemies before you even get started. If there is an existing company called “Jax Birth Doula”, don’t call your biz “Jacksonville Birth Doula” or the like… you get the picture. It’s confusing, feels sneaky, and just not a good way to start your business off.
Lastly, consider if you can take your business name with you if you should move. “Jax Birth Doula” probably won’t work well in Dallas, Texas. This means that you would need to change your LLC, Social Media accounts, your email, your domain… It’s just a thought. So, if it’s likely that you will move, consider not using a geographical locator in your business name.
2) How do I find my first clients?
Let your friends and family know that you are training to certify as a doula but DO NOT STALK PREGNANT WOMEN AT THE SUPERMARKET. No! I am not kidding. Read that again!
Open a Business Social Media accounts. Join community Facebook groups for moms (Do NOT cold message those moms, either ). Be patient, and on their “Small Biz Monday” posts, let folks know that you are offering doula services. Respect that this is THEIR page and the followers are THEIR followers. Reach out to the care providers in your community. Start with the Home Birth midwives, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists and other doulas in your area. Let your own care provider know that you are taking clients. Ask to leave your marketing materials at those places.
3) I have a client!! EEK! What do I wear to appointments?
This might go with out saying but…Always present yourself as a professional when you first meet a family or care provider. (When you go to a birth, wear something comfortable! I’m a yoga pants-logo top-sneakers kind of birth worker.) Consider that a first impression is important and it is often made with in seconds. This may go without saying but I will say it anyway…Sit up tall and stand up straight, speak clearly, look others in the eye, and smile!! A smiling face relays confidence.
4) Do I need a contract?
ABSOLUTELY! (Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout that at you!) This is your business. Treat it as such! A contract is a legally binding Agreement between you and your client. A great contract sets clear expectations and boundaries, and makes for a happy experience for both parties. It protects your client and YOU! You can find our contract offered here. It’s the same one that I use.
And, please, please, please - know this - That family that you are sharing valuable information with, spending your time and energy on, is only your client IF they have signed a contract. Only then.
Read that again. No contract? You are not hired.
I hear time and again about disappointed doulas who think they are hired but never had a contract and then find out that the family had their baby and never contacted them. Once you have met with a family, tell them that you will hold their due date for 2 days and then release it if you haven’t received a contract. Say it nicely, but do say it. It allows them to know the parameters of the meeting. If you haven’t heard back in 2 days, send them ONE message to say that you will be releasing the date. If they don’t respond, that’s your answer. Do Not Chase Clients Down. They are grownups and will sign and return if that is what they are really wanting to do.
5) How do I decide what I should charge?
Take a look at the going rate in your community based on doulas who have similar experience. Yes! Experience is a consideration. Imagine paying the same fee for a brand new hair stylist vs. a stylist with 20 years of experience! So, expect to start at the lower end. Once you are fully booked (however many clients per month that means to you) for 2-3 months, then bump your fees.
Here is something to remember though… What you choose to charge is YOUR business not anyone else’s. If you want to do a donation based doula service, that’s fine. If you you want to charge $2000 for your service, that ‘s fine. But a word of wisdom from my mom…
“CHARGE what you are WORTH but be WORTH what you CHARGE”
6) How do I take payment?
Your Contract should be tied to the payment of the “retainer'“. The first payment should be called a “retainer” not a “deposit” and should be 50% of the total fee. When it is tied to the contract, this is a great way to automatically confirm the service. All of my forms, including the contract, are via Jotforms and I take payment with the contract. The Balance is due at 37 weeks and lack of payment of the balance cancels the contract. THAT is also in my contract! I haven’t had a client pay by cash or check in years. All pay electronically.
I only recommend Jotforms because I use them! Use my affiliate link here to get started!
7) Are testimonials really that important?
Absolutely!! Word-of-Mouth referrals are KING. People want to read true stories and see pix of real people. Ask for testimonials right away with in that first week when your client is still on that birth high.
Make it very easy for them:
Send them the direct link to where you want that testimonial to go.
Take a pix of them after the birth. ASK permission and have them sign a photo release to use the pix or have them send you a pix of their choice via text or email to be placed on your website. The copy of the text or email will serve as permission.
8) How do I find a BUD?
Whether you do one birth per month or 8 you NEED a BUD, and finding the right Back Up Doula is crucial to your business. By the way, the conversation about a BUD should be in your contract and you should discuss this at your client intake. Needing a BUD can be for many reasons, not just for being at another birth. It could be something as crazy as Jury Duty! True Story! It happened to me! Look in your community for another doula who has about the same experience as you have, has a similar style and philosophy of support, and charges about the same amount. Agree ahead of time as to how you will compensate each other for BUD work. In my group (not an agency) of 15 doulas, we pay each other $50/hour for IN person care and $25/hour for text, phone, FaceTime care (meaning we didn't have to leave our home). We don’t pay each other to “be available just in case”, we simply assume that we are available for each other if we can be. You don't have to do things this way but it has worked very well for us.
9) How should I schedule my clients that I don't have a Birth Collision?
Okay - Here is what I have found to work for me. I hope it works for you, too. I will usually book 2 EDD’s on the same day or 2 in the same week. Up to 8-9 per month. You can’t predict when clients will birth, and only 5 % birth on the EDD, but this seems to work out. But it also has to be what is your comfort level. My kids are grown so finding child care is not an issue but that is a big deal, I realize. But consider that if you are on call for 3-4 clients in a month, you really may as well be on call for 6. At least, that is my opinion.
10) What additional certifications should I get?
When I combined birth services with the classes we now offer as a company, no one else was doing that. There was prenatal yoga class, but nothing like what we offered. It set me apart from other doulas in my community and brought in new clients each time I taught a class. So, look for something unique. This will help you to grow your doula biz when you have additional streams of revenue.
TIP: I have these as a part of my boutique doula services. All of my doula clients take Birth Ball Basics and Postpartum Recovery, if they wish. I simply added the cost into the contract. I do not prorate the fee if they choose to not take the classes or hire me too late to take Birth Ball Basics
Postpartum Recovery® Fitness
As you add on certifications, AGAIN - look for ones that no one else in your community is offering. Some ideas: Lactation services, Childbirth education (find one that is not currently offered), sleep training, fitness… Loads of choices!
Consider joining our Birth Pro Community. These topics and so many other topics are exactly what you will get more help with. As a 4TFM Birth Pro you also get access to the Boost Your Knowledge sessions and continuing education credits that go along with them. I hope this was helpful! We would love to see you succeed!