As a newer doula, much of your early journey is networking. Every region varies in terms of the best way to get yourself out there. You might be wondering if vendor events are helpful for doulas. There is no clear right or wrong answer.
Let’s explore how a doula might be able to use a vendor event. Networking is a big part of your journey as a doula. Vendor events is one way to branch out.
What Are Your Goals For a Vendor Event?
Having a realistic goal for a vendor event is an important part of getting the most out of participating. In general, most vendor events will not lead to a ton of new families signing up for support. This is because many events are geared towards selling a specific take home item or simply networking.
However, if you make it a goal to get more followers on social media, connect with local businesses, and focus on brand awareness, you may have a very successful vendor event.
Consider an easy to scan QR code for people walking by. Provide an incentive such as candy, water bottles, etc., for scanning and following your social media. Be sure to have business cards or postcards attendees and fellow vendors can take.
Why Should Attendees Stop By Your Table?
It’s important to know what you can do to draw attendees to your table. Except for pregnancy specific events, your target audience will be much wider at vendor events. You are not focused just on reaching new families but getting your name out there.
Attendees will need a reason to stop by your spot. What can you do to entice visitors? Some people do:
- A raffle basket of various items
- Free mints, candy, or lip balm branded with their name or logo.
- During warm months, chilled water bottles
- A comfortable spot to sit.
- Place to change a baby, sit to feed, etc.
- Self-comfort items to test such as rolling massagers, hot stones, etc. (along with sanitizing wipes between uses)
- Display baby carriers to test.
If you sell any birth related items, have books and handouts, etc., make those available as well. The thing you use to draw people in will vary based on the event.
Be Mindful of Costs Associated With Vendor Events
As with any venture, it is important to look at your potential return on investment (ROI). Recognizing that vendor events are more networking related versus likely to lead directly to families needing support is important.
When we look at advertising which is more likely to lead to families booking, such as Google ads, the more we spend, the more we are likely to see a ROI. However, with vendor events, we may not see a financial ROI.
When thinking about participating in vendor events, be mindful of how much you spend. It can be a great investment in networking. This is important as over time, networking will eventually lead to families seeking support. However, you do not want to spend so much money that it becomes a stress in needing to get a new family asap to offset the investment.
If you do spend money on branded items, such as a tablecloth or banner, be sure it can be reused. Instead of bulk purchasing custom items, just order some branded stickers or a stamp. This way you can customize basic items yourself without spending a ton.
For example, buy a Box o’ Joe from a coffee shop, get some plain paper coffee cups, and simply place a sticker or stamp on them. This is a low-cost way to encourage attendees to stop by your stand and gain brand awareness.
Have Fun!
The most important part of a vendor event for doulas is to simply have fun. Keep realistic goals and low pressure. Stay in the mindset that you are simply there to meet people and let them know what you do. Be fun and engaging to encourage people to stop by.
Remember, you are there to get your name out there and make connections. If you land a new family, awesome! But focus on networking and connections and you will likely find the vendor events worth your time.
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification. She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report, Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...