You finished your doula training - now what?!
Congratulations on completing your doula training! You’ve taken a huge step towards a rewarding career in birth and postpartum support. But what's next? The transition from training to establishing your practice can be overwhelming. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some essential steps to help you hit the ground running.
Build Your Confidence Through Experience
You might feel ready to jump into your practice, but real confidence comes from hands-on experience and experience truly is the best teacher. Many doulas start by offering services to friends, family, or through volunteer opportunities, but you can also join a local doula agency or collective or a doula matching service like ours. Each birth and postpartum experience will enhance your skills and boost your confidence. Remember, every client is a chance to learn and grow. The more experience you gain, the more confident you’ll become in both birth and postpartum settings.
Build Your Doula Network
Networking is key in the doula world. Connect with other doulas, midwives, and healthcare providers like chiropractors, OB-Gyns and acupuncturists in your area. Attend local childbirth education classes, workshops, and community events. Building relationships with these professionals can lead to referrals and help you establish a solid support system. If you’re looking for guidance on networking, we created a networking workshop based on decades of experience with our exact framework!
Set Up Your Doula Business
Start by naming your business and ensuring it reflects your values, services you provide, and the area you serve. Next, register your business to operate legally in your area and get yourself a business bank account. This will make things a whole lot easier as you grow! You’ll need a legally binding contract and to set reasonable rates for your services. And don’t forget to grab liability insurance. (Read more about why, here.)
Once those logistics are completed, get your doula business off the ground by setting up your website, social media profiles, and marketing materials. Make sure potential clients can easily find you and learn about your services. A professional and approachable online presence can make a huge difference!
Develop Your Doula Client Intake Process
A smooth and professional client intake process is essential. Create clear procedures for handling inquiries, consultations, contracts, and payments. Streamline your operations with email templates and an organized intake form. Having these systems in place will help you be organized and efficient and sets a professional tone for your client relationships.
Doula Shop & Resources
To support you as you start your doula journey, explore our Doula Shop and our Doula Blog for valuable resources:
A Doula's Guide to Prenatal Visits: Essential tips and strategies for effective prenatal care.
Email Templates for Doulas: Professional templates to streamline your communication with clients.
Doula Client Intake Form: A comprehensive form to collect important client information and help you customize your client’s care.
Business Consultations and Coaching: Personalized support to help you build and grow your doula business.
Free Resources: Access our Interview & Prenatal Checklist and 100 Free Blog Topics for Birth & Postpartum Doulas for more guidance and insight on growing your doula business.
Starting your doula business is a journey filled with excitement, growth, and learning. Be patient with yourself, seek support when needed, and keep pushing forward. You’ve got the skills and determination—now it’s time to turn your passion into a thriving practice. We’re here to help cheer you on!