In order to grow your doula business, it’s important to devote some time each week to marketing. An important component to any print media marketing is client testimonials. Doulas should be collecting these from all clients served. Capture those glowing words of praise and gratitude shared by new families served.
The easiest way to get a testimonial is to ask. If you have a mechanism, such as an evaluation form, that you currently use to obtain written feedback, then just incorporate your request for a testimonial and permission to publish it in the form. On the other hand, if a client gives you a verbal rave review, you can capture their words in writing and send it to them, requesting permission to publish it and inviting them to make any edits they care to make. In many cases, when given this opportunity, clients are likely to embellish their original words and will be much more extravagant in their praise than you would ever be in promoting yourself.
Consider video recording testimonials if you can and uploading these to your website. And don’t forget to include the dads and other partners in your solicitation! Hearing a dad share about how grateful he was for the doula’s presence and support may translate into overcoming the objections of another dad who is reluctant to hire a doula.
Overall, testimonials are a great marketing tool because what others say about us is at least ten times more believable than any claims we make about ourselves. Use them on your website, brochures, flyers, and print ads.
The Doula Business Advisor blog is designed to support the establishment and long-term sustainability of private doula businesses. Patty Brennan is the author of The Doula Business Guide: Creating a Successful MotherBaby Business.
Posted by Patty Brennan on January 18, 2011 on her website The Center for the Childbearing Year (Ann Arbor).
The easiest way to get a testimonial is to ask. If you have a mechanism, such as an evaluation form, that you currently use to obtain written feedback, then just incorporate your request for a testimonial and permission to publish it in the form. On the other hand, if a client gives you a verbal rave review, you can capture their words in writing and send it to them, requesting permission to publish it and inviting them to make any edits they care to make. In many cases, when given this opportunity, clients are likely to embellish their original words and will be much more extravagant in their praise than you would ever be in promoting yourself.
Consider video recording testimonials if you can and uploading these to your website. And don’t forget to include the dads and other partners in your solicitation! Hearing a dad share about how grateful he was for the doula’s presence and support may translate into overcoming the objections of another dad who is reluctant to hire a doula.
Overall, testimonials are a great marketing tool because what others say about us is at least ten times more believable than any claims we make about ourselves. Use them on your website, brochures, flyers, and print ads.
The Doula Business Advisor blog is designed to support the establishment and long-term sustainability of private doula businesses. Patty Brennan is the author of The Doula Business Guide: Creating a Successful MotherBaby Business.
Posted by Patty Brennan on January 18, 2011 on her website The Center for the Childbearing Year (Ann Arbor).