The Doula Darcy Podcast: Episode Summary
Title: What to Put on Your Table at a Baby Expo (So You Actually Get Leads)
Host: Darcy Sauers
Release Date: July 2, 2025
Introduction
In this enlightening episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast, host Darcy Sauers delves into the essential strategies doulas need to effectively present themselves at baby expos and community events. Combining her extensive background in both advertising and doula services, Darcy offers actionable insights to help doulas maximize their presence, attract more clients, and build a thriving business.
Darcy’s Background and Experience with Baby Expos
Darcy begins by sharing her personal journey in producing mom and baby expos in the New England area. Drawing from years of hands-on experience, she emphasizes the importance of these events in connecting with potential clients and expanding one’s professional network. Darcy recounts how she and her husband transformed a local wellness sampler into the highly successful Seacoast Mom and Baby Expo, expanding to multiple cities before the unfortunate halt caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quote:
"I produced mom and Baby Expos in the New England area and I'll share more about that in a minute." [00:00:45]
A Tale of Two Exhibitors: Engagement Makes the Difference
To illustrate the impact of proactive engagement, Darcy narrates a compelling story from the Portland Mom and Baby Expo. She contrasts two financial planners: one who actively engaged attendees with interactive elements like a prize wheel and genuine conversations, and another who remained passive with minimal effort. The result was stark—the proactive planner secured numerous leads and return deposits, while the passive one left empty-handed and dissatisfied.
Quote:
"The only thing different was that second guy sat in the back and he came up to me and he's, yeah, this event wasn't very good." [00:14:30]
10 Essential Tips for Exhibiting at Baby Expos
Darcy outlines ten crucial tips to ensure doulas make the most of their presence at baby expos:
-
Keep It Simple
- Avoid cluttering your table with excessive materials. Instead, opt for white space and focus on key items like rack cards.
- Quote:
"People are just strolling by and they're not going to stop and read all your worksheets." [00:17:45]
-
Build Your Email List
- Use the event as an opportunity to gather email addresses for ongoing communication.
-
Value Exchange for Email Collection
- Offer incentives like raffles or discount codes in exchange for contact information.
- Quote:
"Sign up here to enter to win something." [00:19:10]
-
Be Proactive and Open
- Engage with attendees by smiling, initiating conversations, and maintaining an inviting posture.
- Quote:
"Say hi. Be friendly, be open." [00:23:05]
-
Make It About Them
- Focus on the needs and experiences of the attendees rather than solely promoting your services.
- Quote:
"Lead with how you can help them. Lead with making it clear that you know what they're going through." [00:26:15]
-
Practice Your Elevator Pitch
- Develop a concise and compelling description of your services to quickly capture interest.
- Quote:
"Polish up your 1 minute spiel about what it is that you do." [00:28:50]
-
Network with Other Exhibitors
- Build relationships with fellow vendors to expand your referral network and gain mutual support.
-
Ditch the Traditional Table
- Create interactive and unique spaces, such as a ball pit for toddlers, to attract parents and engage them effectively.
- Quote:
"You are a toddler magnet. And while the kids play in the ball pit, you get to talk to the parents." [00:35:20]
-
Entertain Toddlers
- Incorporate activities for children to keep parents engaged and present at your booth.
-
Prioritize Self-Care
- Ensure personal comfort and energy levels by dressing appropriately, staying hydrated, and having healthy snacks on hand.
- Quote:
"This is not a day to wear high heels because you're going to be standing for a long period of time." [00:40:10]
Additional Preparation Strategies
Beyond the ten tips, Darcy advises doulas to prepare well in advance by creating visually appealing materials. Utilizing services like Vistaprint for high-quality postcards, business cards, and branded tablecloths can enhance the professional appearance of your booth. Early preparation ensures a smooth and effective presence at the event.
Quote:
"Do a little shopping locally or Vistaprint. Find out areas where you can print up the postcards that you'll need." [00:43:00]
Conclusion and Call to Action
Darcy wraps up the episode by emphasizing the value of human connections made at events, both with attendees and other exhibitors. She encourages doulas to actively participate in their communities to support and grow their businesses. Listeners are invited to join her Birth Worker Retreat, engage with her on social media, and become part of her free Facebook community, Doula Marketing Group, for deeper insights and ongoing support.
Final Quote:
"The human connections that you can make... will go really far in your doula business." [00:46:30]
Join the Conversation
To continue building your doula business with Darcy’s expert guidance, join her community on Instagram @doula_darcy, participate in the Doula Marketing Group on Facebook, and stay tuned for future episodes packed with valuable tips and strategies.
Feedback and Support
Darcy invites listeners to rate and review the podcast on their preferred platforms, highlighting that their feedback helps more doulas discover the show and, consequently, more families find the support they need.
Quote:
"Your feedback will help more doulas discover the show, which in turn helps more families find the doula support that they need." [00:47:45]
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for doulas aiming to enhance their marketing efforts at baby expos, providing practical tips grounded in real-world experience. By following Darcy’s advice, doulas can create engaging and effective booths that not only attract leads but also foster meaningful connections within their community.