Mastering the ‘Rule of Seven’ to Grow Your Doula Business

Marketing your doula business can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve put in the effort to build a website, post on social media, and even distribute business cards—yet clients aren't lining up.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. Many doulas face this challenge, often assuming it’s due to a lack of demand in their area. The reality, however, is usually something much simpler: people don’t know you exist yet.

What Is the Rule of Seven?

The Rule of Seven is a foundational marketing principle stating that a potential client needs to see or hear your message at least seven times before they act. This doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong—most likely, you just haven’t communicated enough. Posting about your services once or twice simply won’t cut it in today’s busy, information-overloaded world. Your target audience needs repeated exposure to your message before they remember you and decide to take action.

Why Posting Once Isn’t Enough

When you post on social media once or drop off business cards at an OB’s office, it’s easy to get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. However, this doesn't mean your services aren’t valuable—it means your potential clients haven’t had enough exposure to your offerings. People are bombarded with marketing messages daily, and it’s easy for yours to get lost in the noise if it isn’t consistent.

You need to be present across multiple platforms: social media, local groups, email lists, and even physical spaces like coffee shops or yoga studios. But even more important is posting frequently on these platforms.

Marketing Exec >> Doula

I love applying my decade long career in marketing in ways that help doulas grow their businesses.

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