The Doula Darcy Podcast: Episode Summary
Title: The Biggest Mistake Sleep Consultants Make and How to Fix It
Host: Darcy Sauers
Release Date: June 16, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast, host Darcy Sauers delves into a critical topic affecting sleep consultants and doulas alike. Building on the previous discussion about the robust niche market of sleep consultants, Darcy identifies and dissects the most significant mistake professionals in this field are making. She offers actionable strategies to rectify these errors, aiming to empower listeners to enhance their marketing efforts and grow their businesses effectively.

Identifying the Core Mistake

Darcy opens the discussion by highlighting a prevalent misconception among sleep consultants and doulas: the belief that creating a stellar service package, listing prices on a website, and routinely posting educational content on Instagram will automatically attract a steady stream of clients.

“Creating a really great service package and put the prices on your website and a link to book a call and then you start to post some cute educational content on Instagram, that the clients will just come rolling in. But this is not that Field of Dreams movie where if you build it, they will come. It just, it doesn't work that way.”
— Darcy Sauers [00:55]

She asserts that relying solely on social media content creation is akin to being stuck on a "content hamster wheel," leading to exhaustion without yielding the desired client influx. This approach often results in consultants questioning their abilities, leading to burnout and potential abandonment of their business ventures.

The Importance of a Solid Marketing Foundation

Darcy emphasizes that the root of the problem lies in the lack of a structured marketing foundation. She explains that without an organized system to funnel leads—from strangers to followers, and ultimately to paying clients—sleep consultants are missing a critical component of business growth.

“You don't have the strategy to move people through your business and into working with you as their sleep consultant.”
— Darcy Sauers [03:10]

She contrasts the chaotic nature of relying solely on Instagram posts with the stability offered by a well-designed marketing funnel. Successful consultants utilize lead magnets, automated systems, and nurture sequences to ensure a consistent flow of clients, even when they are not actively engaged in content creation.

Strategies for Effective Client Attraction

Darcy outlines the essential elements of a robust marketing system:

1. Lead Generation Funnel: Establishing a pathway that attracts and guides potential clients through various stages, ensuring they are sufficiently engaged and informed before making a purchasing decision.

2. Automations and Nurture Sequences: Implementing automated processes that maintain contact with leads, providing value and building trust over time.

3. Lead Magnets: Offering valuable resources or incentives that encourage potential clients to provide their contact information, facilitating further engagement.

“The most successful sleep coaches and sleep consultants out there, they're not chained to Canva every day... they have sleep systems, they have a funnel, they have automations, have a lead magnet, they have warm nurture sequences, and their business works for them.”
— Darcy Sauers [04:50]

Personal Passion and Business Growth

Darcy shares her personal journey and passion for helping families achieve better sleep, which underpins her dedication to supporting sleep consultants and doulas. She recounts her own experiences with sleep deprivation during her parenting years, which inspired her to become a postpartum doula focused on sleep education.

“When babies get more sleep, they're happier and healthier, they grow faster, they're in a better mood, which makes parenting them easier. And when parents get more sleep, their mental health is in a better place.”
— Darcy Sauers [06:30]

Her mission is not only to assist families but also to enable sleep consultants to reach financial milestones, such as achieving five-figure monthly incomes.

Introducing the 90-Day Accelerator Program

To address the identified mistakes, Darcy announces her new 90 Days to 10k Months Accelerator Program. This initiative is designed to work closely with a select group of sleep consultants over three months, equipping them with the necessary systems to transform their marketing efforts and scale their businesses effectively.

“In my 90 days to 10k months accelerator, I'm gonna teach you exactly how to build that kind of marketing engine for your sleep consulting business so you can stop guessing and throwing spaghetti at the wall and really start to scale.”
— Darcy Sauers [07:50]

The program promises to replace unreliable content creation with sustainable marketing strategies, ensuring a steady flow of qualified leads and clients.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Darcy identifies another common mistake: attempting to educate a broad audience about the role and benefits of a sleep consultant. Instead, she advises focusing on reaching individuals who are already seeking sleep consulting services.

“You're trying to reach and you're creating cute canva content to educate them about what a sleep consultant is and why they need one and that let's just skip all that and get you in front of the people who are already looking for a sleep consultant that already know they want to hire you.”
— Darcy Sauers [08:45]

By targeting an audience that is already aware of their need for sleep consulting, practitioners can streamline their marketing efforts and increase conversion rates.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Darcy concludes the episode by reiterating that the lack of a solid marketing foundation is not a personal failing but a fixable issue. She encourages listeners to take advantage of her accelerator program to transform their businesses.

“It's not you, it's your marketing... it's just your marketing and that's easy to fix and it happens to be my superpower.”
— Darcy Sauers [09:20]

Listeners interested in the program are invited to apply via Instagram, with further details provided in the show notes.

Key Takeaways

• Avoid Reliance on Single Platforms: Diversify marketing efforts beyond just social media to create a comprehensive client acquisition system.

• Build a Marketing Funnel: Implement structured pathways to guide potential clients from awareness to conversion.

• Automate and Nurture Leads: Use automation tools and nurture sequences to maintain engagement and build trust with leads.

• Target the Right Audience: Focus marketing efforts on individuals actively seeking sleep consulting services rather than broadly educating a general audience.

• Invest in Structured Programs: Consider enrolling in accelerator programs to gain expert guidance and streamline business growth.

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a crucial guide for sleep consultants and doulas striving to enhance their marketing strategies and achieve business success. By addressing common mistakes and providing actionable solutions, Darcy Sauers empowers her listeners to build sustainable and fulfilling careers.

Connect with Darcy Sauers:

• Instagram: The Doula Darcy
• Facebook Community: Doula Marketing Group

Support the Podcast:

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the podcast on your favorite platform. Your feedback helps more doulas discover the show and, in turn, assists more families in finding the doula support they need.

Remember, a strong marketing foundation is not just about attracting clients—it's about building a business that works for you, enabling you to focus on what you do best: supporting families.