Respect and Revenue: Unlocking Your Worth!

You’re armed with the skills, knowledge, and experience to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to your clients. But the challenge lies in conveying this to your potential clients. Do they understand the value of your work? If you’ve been grappling with this question, you’re not alone. Many doulas face similar challenges in communicating their worth and finding ways to get paid. Before we get into the strategies to overcome this, I think it’s fair to get some things off your chest!

I can imagine how many prospects you’ve come across who claim to want your services but are not willing to pay your price. They are letting the dollar amount overshadow the value you bring to their family. Families should not minimize your value just because your cost may be outside of their comfort zone. After all, your pricing is a reflection of your own need to keep your lights on and provide for your own family as well.

Whooosaaahhh. With all that said, let’s dive into some strategies that might help you win.

Firstly, education is key. Many people don’t know about the amazing benefits a doula can provide - things like reduced risk of cesarean section, shorter labor duration, improved breastfeeding outcomes, and more. You also tailor your services to individual needs and preferences. If you haven’t already, find different ways to elaborate on these benefits. Share stories that are captivating and compelling with your past clients. If you’re new, share the stories of your friends who are doulas. Make sure you are connecting the right benefit to their specific situation. This will help them to visualize and feel what hiring you could do for them and their family.

Since the cost is a barrier for many people, consider offering flexible payment plans. This could make your services more accessible to a wider range of clients. The payment plans need to still make sense for your personal and business lifestyle. Also, make sure you set the appropriate timeframe in which the payments need to be paid in full. Preferably, that should be before the birth. I’m just saying.

Networking with other doulas and organizations could also be beneficial. It’s a great way to expand your knowledge and increase your skill set. They can help you leverage resources, share best practices, and create impactful partnerships. Learn how they conduct consultations, overcome objections and close their clients.

Communicating your value effectively is crucial in attracting more clients and enhancing your reputation. Always remember to follow ethical business practices. This not only communicates your core values such as integrity, honesty, respect, and professionalism but also helps avoid legal, financial, or reputational risks. This will go a long way in building trust!

In conclusion, by taking these steps - further educating your clients about the benefits of doula services, offering flexible payment plans, networking with other doulas and organizations, communicating your value effectively and following ethical business practices - you can unlock the true value of your services. This will not only make a positive impact on your prospective clients but also increase your satisfaction as a doula by being paid fairly for your work. In this industry, it’s very difficult emotionally to talk about money and your worth, when someone is telling you what they can’t afford. They may even ask for significant discounts or flexible terms that are not ideal for you. Just remember that you are not only a birth worker, you are an entrepreneur, a business owner and a BOSS! Learn when to put yourself and your business first. You deserve all the success in the world…you just have to ask for it!