Podcast Summary: The Doula Darcy Podcast – "How to Promote Your Doula Business Without Spending a Fortune"
Episode Details
- Title: How to Promote Your Doula Business Without Spending a Fortune
- Host: Darcy Sauers
- Release Date: August 9, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast, host Darcy Sauers delves into effective strategies for promoting a doula business without incurring significant expenses. Combining her extensive background in advertising and her 14 years of experience as a doula, Darcy provides actionable insights aimed at helping doulas attract more clients and build sustainable careers.
Key Topics Covered
- The Possibility of Free Promotion
- Investing in a Professional Website
- The Power of SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Community Networking
- Leveraging Social Media
- Providing Excellent Client Service
1. The Possibility of Free Promotion
Darcy emphasizes that promoting a doula business without a hefty budget is not only possible but also highly effective in the modern digital landscape.
"You can promote your business without spending any money." – Darcy Sauers ([00:45])
She contrasts this with pre-internet days, where costly advertising mediums like radio, TV, and newspapers were the only options. Today, the internet offers a plethora of free tools and platforms that can significantly reduce marketing expenses.
2. Investing in a Professional Website
Despite advocating for minimal spending, Darcy highlights the importance of investing in a quality website as a foundational tool for any doula business.
"The first thing I'm going to do is tell you to spend some money on a website. This is truly the only money that I think you need to spend to have a successful doula business." – Darcy Sauers ([01:45])
She likens a website to an employee that works around the clock to attract clients, asserting that the investment in a website pays for itself through continuous client inquiries without additional advertising costs.
3. The Power of SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Darcy underscores SEO as a critical component that maximizes the effectiveness of a doula’s website.
"A good website actually pays for itself. [...] You have good SEO, good search engine optimization, which means your website shows up when someone in your town Googles 'doula near me,' you're in the top three results." – Darcy Sauers ([02:30])
She advises doulas to either learn SEO principles themselves or invest in professional SEO services, emphasizing that this investment yields long-term benefits by consistently bringing in clients.
4. Community Networking
Networking within the local community is presented as a free yet powerful method to promote doula services.
"The biggest thing you can do to promote your doula services is to network in your community. And that is free." – Darcy Sauers ([04:00])
Darcy recommends connecting with other maternity-related service providers such as chiropractors, prenatal yoga instructors, and maternity photographers. These relationships can lead to valuable referrals and collaborative opportunities, enhancing the doula’s visibility and reputation within the community.
5. Leveraging Social Media
While acknowledging the common reluctance towards social media, Darcy advocates for its use as a vital, no-cost promotional tool.
"Social media is a free platform to educate your community about your amazing services." – Darcy Sauers ([10:15])
She encourages doulas to actively post and engage on social media to reach potential clients who are researching doula services online. Darcy also shares her own practice of minimal social media activity, relying primarily on SEO and networking, but emphasizes that active participation is necessary for those who lack an established network.
6. Providing Excellent Client Service
Darcy concludes by highlighting that exceptional service is the most effective form of marketing, as satisfied clients become vocal advocates for the doula’s business.
"Provide excellent service to your doula clients. That is the best form of marketing when you have happy clients that are singing your praises out in the community." – Darcy Sauers ([15:30])
By ensuring client satisfaction, doulas can benefit from word-of-mouth referrals, which are invaluable and cost nothing.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Darcy wraps up the episode by reinforcing the simplicity and effectiveness of the strategies discussed. She encourages doulas to prioritize building a robust website and mastering SEO while leveraging free networking and social media tools. Additionally, she promotes her Doula Village community, offering resources such as website templates, SEO audits, and training sessions to further support doulas in their business growth.
"Please stop wasting time spinning your wheels on how to get the best website and just go get one of my doula website templates." – Darcy Sauers ([16:45])
She invites listeners to join her free Facebook community, the Doula Marketing Group, and to engage with her on Instagram for ongoing support and updates.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- [00:45] "You can promote your business without spending any money."
- [01:45] "The first thing I'm going to do is tell you to spend some money on a website."
- [02:30] "You have good SEO, good search engine optimization, which means your website shows up when someone in your town Googles 'doula near me,' you're in the top three results."
- [04:00] "The biggest thing you can do to promote your doula services is to network in your community."
- [10:15] "Social media is a free platform to educate your community about your amazing services."
- [15:30] "Provide excellent service to your doula clients. That is the best form of marketing when you have happy clients that are singing your praises out in the community."
- [16:45] "Please stop wasting time spinning your wheels on how to get the best website and just go get one of my doula website templates."
Final Thoughts
Darcy Sauers effectively outlines a comprehensive, budget-friendly approach to marketing a doula business. By focusing on essential investments like a professional website and SEO, coupled with free strategies such as community networking and social media engagement, doulas can build a thriving practice without financial strain. Her emphasis on excellent client service further ensures sustained growth through organic referrals.
For doulas seeking to elevate their businesses, this episode serves as a valuable guide filled with practical advice and inspirational motivation to leverage available resources efficiently.