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Questions to ask a potential doula client

There’s nothing better than that feeling when you get your first inquiries about your doula services.

But…then what?

What are the questions to ask a potential doula client when they call or fill out the form on your website?

NOTE: Are you finished with your doula training and struggling with the ins and outs of signing on new clients and getting your business going? Check out My Doula Village, my community for doulas to help you learn ways to market your doula services.

The first questions to ask doula clients

First things first, you need their basic info like: name, due date, town, etc.

I can’t tell you how many long phone conversations I’ve had with potential doula clients only to find out at the end that they actually lived two hours away. Or that they were interested only in birth doula services (and I’m solely a postpartum doula).

So quickly run through the basics…and then move on to the questions to ask doula clients so that you get hired.

Here’s a list of questions to ask a potential doula client to get them talking

Ask open-ended questions and show that you are truly listening to their answers.

Even though a prenatal interview with a potential client is technically a chance for them to get to know you and learn more about your services, I think one of the best things you can do is let them do all the talking.

We all want to be heard. Especially during pregnancy as we’re changing SO MUCH not only physically but emotionally as well. And then our OBs rush through our lists of questions and only spend 7 minutes with us.

So do the opposite.

Not only does this give your potential client a chance to see what it’s like to experience the feeling of you holding space for them, it also gives you some great insight into their hopes and fears for their birth and/or postpartum experience.

Here’s my top 3 questions to ask potential doula clients:

“I don’t know how much you know about the role of a doula. Do you want to jump to your questions or should I start by running through my spiel?” Save time by meeting your clients where they’re at. Find out where they are on the “doula spectrum”. Do they have only a very rough idea about the role of a doula, or are they super clear and just want to learn about your personal style?
“What are your main concerns for your birth and/or postpartum period?” Sometimes these answers are surprising! We can make assumptions that lead to an unhappy or frustrating client/doula relationship. For instance, you might assume that they’re hiring you to have an unmedicated birth. When in reality, their main goal is that the mother-in-law doesn’t get anywhere near the room. Or the partner faints at the site of blood and they want to make sure they have support. You just never know! And if you find out from the get-go what their main goals are, it’s so much easier to support them in having the birth or postpartum experience that they’re hoping for. And that means that you’ll have super happy clients who will refer you to all their pregnant friends!
“What kind of support do you anticipate needing? What intrigued you about hiring a doula?” Reaaaaallly listen to the answer. You can glean so much from what they say. Set yourself up for success in that you focus on these areas in your work. As soon as you are alone again after the meeting, write down as much as you can about their answers. Refer back to your notes before you start working with them.