The Birth Geeks' podcast

Being a childbirth professional can make everyday conversations awkward and your life can be really hard for people to understand. Twice a month, Robin Elise Weiss and Hillary Melchiors geek out with each other and some brilliant guests about all things childbirth related. If you are a childbirth professional trying to make change while keeping your business afloat and hopefully thriving, you’ve found your people!

Pricing Your Doula Services: Tips for Longevity and Financial Stability 09/30/2024

Pricing Your Doula Services: Tips for Longevity and Financial Stability Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Birth Geeks, where we delve into practical and essential topics for doulas. In this episode, TBG 56, join hosts Dr. Hillary Melchiors and Dr. Robin Elise Weiss as they navigate the complex world of setting and raising doula fees. Discover why it’s crucial to understand your value and charge sustainably, how cost of living impacts your rates, and the importance of balancing personal financial goals to avoid burnout. We'll also discuss how to respond to client pushback about fees, strategies for offering discounts without undervaluing your services, and recognizing when it’s time to increase your fees. With insights into tailoring service packages, maintaining transparent communication, and advocating for proper compensation, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you thrive in your doula career. Stay tuned as we empower you to confidently set and adjust your rates, ensuring both your well-being and that of your clients. Overview Discussion on doulas raising fees for sustainable income. Importance of charging a livable wage and recognizing when to adjust rates. Factors for increasing rates include: Experience from multiple births. Rising living costs. Preventing burnout and ensuring job satisfaction. Full calendar indicating high demand. Timing for rate increases should focus on future bookings. Awareness of local market rates and community positioning is essential. New skills or certifications can justify fee hikes. Comparison of fee structures across regions, e.g., California. Personal financial goals are crucial to avoid burnout. Use "doula-of-fee algebra" for pricing strategy. Consider yearly expenses in financial planning. Strategies for discussing rate increases with returning clients. Clearly explain value and handle objections confidently. Mistakes are part of business growth. Confidently state fees without justification to unsuitable clients. Advocate for fair compensation for doula work. Consider tiered packages or early signing incentives. Maintain prenatal visits for effective support. Regularly review rates based on experience and feedback. Communicate rate changes transparently and in advance. Prepare for pushback on fees with strategies. Prioritize financial security for mental health and sustainability. Utilize resources like doula fee calculators and cost of living data. Engage clients in discussions about fee adjustments. Links Mentioned in this Episode /episode/index/show/thebirthgeeks/id/33270192

Back in Action: Catch Up with The Birth Geeks 09/30/2024

Back in Action: Catch Up with The Birth Geeks Welcome back to The Birth Geeks podcast! In today's episode, hosts Hillary Melchiors and Robin Elise Weiss catch up after a long break and dive into a range of exciting updates and developments in the birth and doula community. They talk about Hillary's upcoming trip to France for the European Doula Network conference and reflect on their busy year, including Hillary's rebrand of her doula agency. From discussing the challenges of balancing doula work with personal life to sharing insights from recent conferences and legislative advocacy efforts, this episode is packed with valuable information and heartfelt moments. Stay tuned as they also hint at upcoming topics and interviews that will enrich the birth and doula community. Let's get started! Links mentioned in this show: Overview Hosts Hillary and Robin reconnect after a long break. They discuss a road trip from Louisville to Minneapolis. Hillary prepares for the in France. They reflect on their busy lives and roles in . Robin organized the for business management support. They share challenges doulas face in balancing passion and business. Hillary is involved in academic activities related to doulas. Both discuss personal challenges, including Hillary's house fire. They reflect on parenting and the transition to becoming empty nesters. A recent vacation sparked a desire for more travel and reading. The speaker advocates for doulas and perinatal mental health screening. They highlight legislative progress for doulas and maternal care improvement. The agency's rebranding and certification efforts are mentioned. Emphasis on community outreach and agency operations amid challenges. Upcoming plans include discussions on rebranding and financial sustainability. Excitement about interviews and research on perinatal mental health. The speaker shares a personal experience attending a memorial for Penny Simkin. Light-hearted discussion on fame preferences and humorous birth community anecdotes. /episode/index/show/thebirthgeeks/id/33269692