After more than a year of not paying much attention to what’s happening on Twitter, I began dedicating more time in an effort to connect with others. In doing so, I remembered how interacting with Twitter is so much more instantaneous than Facebook, and how it’s a great way to find new resources and content.

In the past, I’ve participated in a few chats where I have “met” new people to follow, and I’ve learned a lot about the chat topic. About a week ago, I discovered @DoulaParty, a twitter chat that’s run by Desirre Andrews of @Preparing4Birth. It was a lot of fun, talking about all things doula-ish. Questions were asked and answered, support was offered, links and stories were shared.

It helps to be really clear about who you want to serve with your birth business. If you are just starting out, you may have to take a guess for now and adjust your ideal client profile as you gain experience. What’s wonderful, though, about having your own practice is that you make changes at any time!

Set an intention today that you will attract more clients by preparing several interview packets. By having a few packets that are ready to go, you will be sending a message out to the Universe that you’re ready and willing to receive more clients into your practice.

What should you include in your interview packets? Here are some suggestions:

So what’s the number one rule? Your potential customers are really not that interested in what you do and how you do it. What they really want to know is, what’s in it for them?

When designing your website or marketing materials, what should you be focusing on? What does everyone want to know when looking for a new product or service?

Do you wear other hats? Are you a childbirth educator, a postpartum doula, a photographer, a massage therapist, or any hold any other title in addition to being a birth doula? You should package your services.

A simple way to set yourself apart from your competitors is to effectively describe your services.

A question I hear often is, “Should I put my prices on my brochures and website?” There are different opinions on this topic. I’ll offer you some practical information to consider, and you can choose what works best for you.

I’d like to offer a few questions you can ask yourself when determining your prices. In addition to considering the going rates in your local market, your experience, and what you need to make to cover expenses, I challenge you to set aside some time and write out why you are an expert at what [...]

You don’t have to be a highly trained salesperson to do well in an interview. You should be well-prepared, have a professional presence, and most of all, you should be authentic and true to yourself.