How To Get Your First 5 Birth Doula Clients - Even With No Experience
How to Get Your First 5 Birth Doula Clients (Even with No Experience!)
Booking your first doula clients can feel like a big hurdle and overwhelming to say the least. You’re eager and excited to support expecting moms but just starting out can be tough when trying to get those first few clients to trust you. The good news? Every experienced doula started exactly where you are now – including me! With some consistent effort and the right approach, you can confidently attract and serve your first five clients. By the end of this blog post you’ll have clear, actionable steps to get started!
If you’re a new doula and need support in getting started, check out my FREE guide, ‘From Passion to Profession – A Guide for New Birth Doulas’!
1. Tap Into Your Existing Network
👉 Who you know matters!
Your first clients are possibly closer than you think. Many people in your community know someone who is pregnant—you just need to let them know what you do (that you are a doula) and that you’re available.
Share your new business with family, friends, church and community groups.
Post in local Facebook mom groups, community pages, online business networking groups.
Reach out to people you do everyday life with. Share your excitement about your new career with people you already do business or life with right now. People at your gym, your local florist, your dentist, your favorite bakery.
🔹 Pro Tip: Instead of simply saying, “I’m a doula,” share why you’re passionate about birth work and how you help moms feel supported and empowered. Personal storytelling builds trust!
And…when telling people what you do, who clearly have never really heard of a doula, use words a 12-year-old could understand – keep it simple and describe what you do in a relatable way.
2. Offer a Special ‘First Five’ Client Special
👉 Build experience while gaining testimonials.
Since you’re just starting, offering an introductory rate or adding some extra value can help you gain experience without undervaluing your services.
Offer a small, limited-time pricing for your first five clients OR add on a couple of hours of postpartum help when they get home with baby as an introductory bonus.
Frame it as a ‘first five’ special (instead of “free” work).
Ask for a testimonial in exchange to help build credibility with social proof. Make it easy for them and send them a direct link to post a review.
🔹 Pro Tip: “Never call it ‘free’ or ‘discount’—instead, say you’re offering a special introductory rate for your first five clients or call it a Doula business launch special.”
3. Get Listed in Doula & Mom-Focused Directories
👉 Be where expecting parents are searching.
Many new moms turn to online directories when looking for birth support. Make sure you’re visible!
List yourself on:
· BeHerVillage (for gift registry doula funding)
· Google Business Profile (to appear in local searches)
· Birth centers and midwifery practice directories
🔹 Pro Tip: Optimize your profile with warm, engaging language. Speak directly to the needs of your ideal client and how you can help them, not just about your credentials. List your dates of availability and the location you serve everywhere you can.
4. Collaborate with Other Birth Professionals
👉 Midwives, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, chiropractors, prenatal yoga instructors and other birth doulas are your referral goldmine.
Building relationships with other birth professionals helps create a steady stream of referrals.
Offer to guest speak at a childbirth class about how doulas support families.
Connect with midwives and birth centers—ask to be added to their referral list.
Build relationships with postpartum doulas & lactation consultants for cross-referrals.
Have coffee with other local birth doulas, get to know them – you may end up working together as back-up one day or will need to refer out to them when you are over booked.
🔹 Pro Tip: Instead of just asking for referrals, offer value first—share their business, follow them on social and share their posts, collaborate on a project, or support their events. Give more than you take.
5. Create Engaging Social Media Content
👉 Your ideal clients are scrolling daily—meet them where they are.
Social media can be one of the most powerful ways to attract clients – if that is where your ideal client hangs out. Consistent, heartfelt content builds trust.
Post personal, story-based content (why you became a doula, behind-the-scenes moments, client testimonials).
Share educational posts (“3 Comfort Measures for Labor” or “Why Every Mom Deserves a Doula”).
Use Instagram Reels & Stories to show up consistently and connect with your audience.
🔹 Pro Tip: Don’t just say “I’m a doula!”—instead, show how you support moms and why it makes a difference.
Final Thoughts
Building a client base takes persistence and visibility. Keep showing up – be consistent!
Take action today with at least one of these strategies. You don’t have to do them all at once to get started.
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If you’re a new doula and need support in getting started, check out my FREE guide, ‘From Passion to Profession – A Guide for New Birth Doulas’!
For one-on-one mentoring and support book a Clarity Call with me or choose one of my Mentorship Packages.
