4 Ultimate Tips for Launching your Virtual Doula Business
Launching small? Read this first.
I’ve covered a lot of ground about how to build your virtual doula business, like the importance of identifying your ideal clients, finding your niche, and launching to a small — but targeted — audience. You might be nearing the point where you’re preparing to hit “publish”. If it feels like your business is your newest baby — you’re not alone. Been there. Here are four of my ultimate tips for launching your digital doula business online!
Don’t be intimidated and don’t fall into the comparison trap.
It’s so easy to see all the beautiful doula websites, popular social media profiles, perfectly curated Instagram feeds — and feel defeated before you even start. But viewing everyone as competition is a fear-based perspective! That way of thinking and being is so limiting, and it will stop you before you ever get a chance to start.
Remember, there are 140,000,000 births per year in the world — that’s an almost unlimited number of potential clients. Not everyone will be your *ideal* client, or vibe with you as a person. Choose to see each client you gain as your perfect person, and each client you lose to another practitioner as having found a doula that’s a better fit for them and their journey.
We all thrive when we lift each other up, so leave the competition at the door.
Focus on what no other doula in the market has: your personality, your experiences and your passion. Being YOU will make it easy for your ideal client to connect right away.
2. Launch just like you would to a big audience.
So, your audience is small. Maybe this is because you’re just starting out, you live in a smaller area, or you’ve chosen to niche down and target only your ideal customer — that’s great! You’re in the right place.
My advice? Just because you’re launching to a small audience, doesn’t mean you should treat your launch like it’s no big deal.
No matter the size of your existing business, your future clients want to feel like you have a handle on things. Besides, your offer IS a big deal to them. Treat your small business like it’s already a big deal, and you’ll have the attitude and confidence to match the change you’ll be making in their lives.
That means:
Show up with confidence in the services you offer
Believe and be 100% behind everything you do
Launching a reliable, well-designed website or landing page
Launching with complete information - everything your clients will need to want to jump on your offer. Clarity is key.
Being responsive to inquiries
3. Speak to one person.
Oftentimes, all it takes is one person to help us grow, feel good or learn something new. You’ve probably had some of those people in your life, the ones that make you feel safe in a scary situation, who give the best guidance, who make space for you to talk and vent and feel. You can be that person for a new or expecting parent. You don’t have to be that for ALL of them!
The first step in building your online doula business is to identify your dream client. Remember: not every pregnant person is your ideal client, and that’s okay. If you’ve already put in the work to identify who your ideal client is (written a description, asked yourself some questions about who they are and what they’re looking for, even written a letter to them) your messaging will become clear.
When this is working — it really works. Your ideal client should be able to come into your online space, read your content and think, “this is my person” before they ever click “contact.”
4. Create something free (and badass).
Okay. This is the big one. My fave.
If you’re planning on offering a paid course, program or service, the best way to build your email list, attract subscribers and convert clients — is to launch with something free of high service. And badass.
In marketing, this kind of product is called a “lead magnet” or a “freebie".” Start now and you’ll be building your birth business from day one.
Here’s how to create a lead magnet that converts:
Create a product that solves a real problem for your ideal client.
Make it simple.
Make it specific — something that only your ideal client is looking for.
Make it quick to digest. A checklist, for example.
Have it be instantly accessible, like a digital download delivered to their email when they sign up for your newsletter.
Demonstrate your expertise. This is key!
Here are a few ideas:
Hospital packing checklist
Birth plan template
The perfect birth playlists for various genres (send Spotify links in your welcome email!)
Baby registry checklist
There are loads of possibilities. Think up something creative and have it ready to go when you hit publish. Looking for additional inspo? Check out my own freebie library (and how I built that opt-in).
Did these tips resonate? As always, I’m rooting for you and your business. I know that living your purpose is the most joyful, beautiful thing and I can’t wait for you to launch this next phase of your journey! If you’re looking for more motivation, you may enjoy the Doulas Going Digital podcast.