Hey there, Badass! Are you wondering why potential clients seem to be slipping through your fingers? Well, fear not, because we're here to spill the beans on common mistakes that could be pushing them away—and more importantly, how to steer clear of them!
1. **Playing Hide and Seek on Social Media:** Are you guilty of ghosting on social media, only popping up when you have something to sell? Big mistake! Potential clients want to connect with a real person, not a faceless business. Stay active, engage with your audience, and let your personality shine through in every post. It is the know, like, and trust factor. Show up with value for your audience. 2. **Ignoring the Power of Personal Branding:** Your brand isn't just about pretty colors and a catchy logo—it's about the essence of who you are and what you stand for. Neglecting to build a strong personal brand can leave potential clients feeling like they're shopping at a generic supermarket instead of seeking out a birthworker who speaks to their soul. Embrace your quirks, share your story, and watch as clients flock to your doorstep. You are the face of your business. Your mission and values should be seen in everything you do. 3. **Being a Copycat Instead of a Trailblazer:** It's tempting to look at what other birthworkers are doing and try to replicate their success, but trust us, imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery in the birth business world. I get so tired of seeing the same wording for things like what is a doula and what do they do. It is like it was copy and pasted on every new doula website out there. Clients are drawn to authenticity and originality, so dare to be different. Find your unique voice, offer services that set you apart, and let your creativity run wild. 4. **Neglecting to Showcase Your Expertise:** Picture this: You're scrolling through Instagram, and you stumble upon a doula whose posts are filled with adorable baby photos but offer little in the way of valuable information. Would you trust them to guide you through childbirth? Probably not. Don't make the mistake of neglecting to showcase your expertise. Share informative content, bust common myths, and position yourself as a trusted authority in your field. Even if you are a newbie, gather from your skills and highlight them to your audience. 5. **Overlooking the Importance of Client Testimonials:** Your words may be persuasive, but nothing beats the power of a glowing testimonial from a satisfied client. Don't make the mistake of overlooking the importance of client testimonials. Encourage happy clients to share their experiences, and sprinkle their praises throughout your marketing materials like confetti at a baby shower. Raving fans are the best kind of marketing material and the awesome part is, it is absolutely free. Newbie Tip: If you don't have any clients yet, have a friend or family member talk about how you have helped them in a difficult situation or a mentorship situation. 6. **Failing to Set Clear Boundaries:** As a badass birthworker, your heart may be as big as the ocean, but that doesn't mean you should let clients walk all over you. Failing to set clear boundaries can lead to burnout and resentment—not exactly a recipe for attracting clients. Take the time to establish firm boundaries around your time, energy, and scope of practice, and communicate them clearly to clients from the get-go. Don't set a precedent to answer emails within a few minutes or respond to non-urgent texts after business hours. 7. **Forgetting to Follow Up:** Ever met a potential client at a birthy meet-up, exchanged pleasantries, and then promptly forgot to follow up? Guilty as charged! But here's the thing: Following up is like planting seeds in a garden. It may not yield immediate results, but with a little nurturing, those seeds will grow into beautiful flowers (or in this case, clients). 8. **Neglecting Self-Care:** You can't pour from an empty cup, and you certainly can't attract clients when you're running on fumes. Neglecting self-care is not only detrimental to your well-being but also to your business. Prioritize rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation, and watch as your energy and magnetism draw clients to you like moths to a flame. Show up as the best version of yourself it will make all the different not only for you but for your clients and potential clients as well. 9. Skipping the Client-Centered Approach: Are you guilty of talking more about yourself and your qualifications than truly listening to your clients' needs? It's easy to get caught up in showcasing your expertise, but remember, it's not about you—it's about them. You are not the hero of their story. It can be really tempting to want to establish yourself as credible and justify why they should hire you. Wait till they ask. Make it more about them and what kind of experience they desire. Take the time to listen actively, ask open-ended questions, and tailor your services to meet their unique preferences and desires. By putting your clients at the center of your practice, you'll not only earn their trust but also create lasting relationships that lead to referrals and repeat business. 10. Underestimating the Power of Consistency: Consistency isn't just key in childbirth—it's key in business too! Yet, many birthworkers make the mistake of being inconsistent in their communication, branding, and service delivery. Whether it's posting sporadically on social media, changing your branding every other month, or failing to follow through on promises, inconsistency can erode trust and drive potential clients away. Instead, strive for consistency in everything you do. Show up regularly on social media, maintain a cohesive brand identity, and deliver on your promises every single time. By establishing yourself as a reliable and trustworthy presence, you'll attract clients who value consistency and reliability in their birth support. So there you have it, birth business boss! Avoid these common mistakes, embrace your uniqueness, and get ready to attract clients like a magnet. The birth world is waiting for your magic—go forth and shine! If you are looking for a deeper dive into booking out client schedule a discovery call to see if we can help you gain more freedom, less stress, and a bigger impact while booking out more clients than you know what to do with.
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2/1/2024 Crafting an Elite Access Policy: Elevating Your Birth Business by Attracting Dream ClientsRead NowElevating Your Birth Business by Attracting Dream Clients In the realm of birthing services, the journey towards success often involves not just providing exceptional care, but also cultivating a community of clients who align with your values, vision, and approach. While many businesses opt for a broad client base, there’s a compelling case to be made for creating an Elite Access Policy (EAP) tailored to your dream clients. In this blog, we delve into the intricacies of such an approach and how it can elevate your birth business to new heights.
Understanding the EAP Concept An EAP approach to your services fundamentally shifts the dynamic of client-provider relationships. Instead of casting a wide net, you're intentionally narrowing your focus to attract a select group of individuals who resonate deeply with your ethos. This approach isn't about exclusivity for its own sake; rather, it's about fostering a sense of belonging and shared values among your dream clientele. The first step to this is getting crystal clear on who your perfect ideal clients are. (which we will talk a bit more about later) This doesn’t mean that each one themselves will be perfect, but they will check all the boxes of your exclusive membership guidelines. You must select those who allow you to do your best work. Clients who energize and inspire you. We are going to go over how you can identify the characteristics of what your exclusive membership guidelines entail. You then take those guidelines to screen potential clients and only take on clients who fit within them. The Power of Selectivity You are the sum of those you spend the most time with. Those you choose to have in your personal life and your business life will impact you in many ways you may not even recognize. The best version of yourself requires you to believe in yourself more than anyone else. If you are surrounded by clients, who, when they call you get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, you carry that with you. If you have clients who do not value what you are doing, it will impact the value you have of yourself and not allow you to serve your clients to the best of your ability. You must choose who you work with, with considerable consideration. If you are truly in this business to make it sustainable, you must pave the way to continue having passion and momentum driving you. You cannot keep momentum if you take clients who do not allow you to be the best version of yourself. Selectivity in clientele isn't about elitism; it's about alignment. By handpicking clients who align with your philosophy, you create a harmonious environment where both parties are invested in the journey. This selectivity allows you to tailor your services more effectively, leading to greater client satisfaction and better outcomes. Benefits for Clients For clients, being part of an EAP in your birth business offers a multitude of benefits:
Benefits for Your Business From a business perspective, curating a select clientele brings its own set of advantages:
Cultivating Your Dream Clientele Creating an EAP begins with a clear understanding of your ideal client profile. Consider the following steps:
Keep Them or Refer Them For some of you, certain clients have already popped up in your mind when thinking of the not so ideal clients. You have a decision to make. You can continue your services with them or you can refer them to another birth worker who would be a better fit. Referring not so ideal clients may sound counterintuitive in a to getting more clients, but we already talked about the effects these types of clients have on us and our work. I am not talking about needy, nervous clients. I am talking about the clients who you feel exhausted after talking with, the ones who you see their name on your caller I.D. and your immediate thought is that you don’t want to answer it. It also includes anyone who talks down to you, or demeans you in anyway. Occasionally you will come across someone who believes that since they have hired you, they can speak to you and treat you however they see fit. I am sure there are tons of reasons why you may be defending keeping all clients. The thought of saying no or referring a client is likely a scary situation. This is a situation to think about for a while. Word of mouth is very powerful. If a client feels abandoned in this process it could hurt your reputation as well as their experience. This advice is not put out there to cause anyone any harm. It is given from a place of love. Sacrificing yourself and your ability to give your best is not the way to run a sustainable business. You have to ask yourself, “Would I rather have a client who makes me excited to work with them, allows me to show up as the best version of myself and makes me proud to be able to offer amazing services or spend hours on end with a client who I have to tolerate, who makes me feel less, and who takes away bits of my passion for this work?” Conclusion In the competitive landscape of birthing services, differentiation is key. By creating an EAP tailored to your dream clients, you not only elevate the level of care and support you provide but also lay the foundation for long-term success. Through selectivity, personalization, and a shared sense of community, you can cultivate a thriving business that resonates deeply with both you and your clients. Like what you read? Sign up for our weekly newsletter below, or grab our latest Badass Business Freebie. 7/1/2023 Unleash the Power of Online Communities: Marketing Tips for Birth Professionals Beyond Your WebsiteRead NowIn the ever-evolving world of birth professional marketing, there's a hidden treasure trove that often goes overlooked – the vibrant realm of online communities. We're talking about forums, social media groups, and virtual gatherings where potential clients share experiences, seek advice, and connect with like-minded individuals. In this blog post, we're about to unlock the secrets of engaging in online communities as a birth professional and how it can take your marketing efforts beyond your website to a whole new level. THE DIGITAL BIRTH PROFESSIONAL - EXPANDING YOUR HORIZON
As a birth professional, your mission is to support expectant parents on their journey to childbirth. While your website serves as your online headquarters, it's high time to explore new avenues for connecting with potential clients. Online communities offer an incredible opportunity to do just that. Many birth businesses struggle with understanding the ins and outs of finances in their practice, and often don’t know if they’ve made any money until the end of the year. Sometimes, they discover they haven’t actually made any money once they account for their expenses. The good news is, it is not too late to learn how to always have a profitable business. The majority of birth businesses fail because of poor cash flow management or burnout (but that’s a whole different blog). That’s a stressful environment to be in, but it doesn’t have to be. Here at BABES, one of our core missions is to help you create sustainable business practices. A great tool to implement in your birth business today is called The Profit First strategy. It comes from the best selling book, Profit First by Mike Michalowicz, which teaches business owners how to “transform any business from a cash-eating monster to a money-making machine.” This article will provide a summary of The Profit First strategy to help you:
Traditional Profit Calculations According to business literature including my own business degree education, profits are what is left over after subtracting business expenses from your income (revenue). Sales – Expenses = Profit While it is true that this is a formula for calculating profits, it is not a method that guarantees you will have a positive number for your profit. Profit First Formula The Profit First formula flips the equation, doing exactly what the name entails putting the focus on profits before expenses. Sales – Profit = Expenses You might be thinking how this really makes a difference, but what Michalowicz is trying to highlight is more psychological than anything: you have to approach your business thinking profit first, not profit last. The Profit First Strategy The premise of the strategy is to build a system for your business that is sustainable and creates long term success. The first thing is to account for your business profit, your taxes, and your own pay. What is left over is what you have to spend on everything else. Many people approach expenses (marketing, website, rent) as just part of the business. They often think of it in terms of things that can be avoided, delayed, eliminated, or just plain unavoidable. This strategy teaches you to discipline yourself and your business finances so they are broken down into categories with only a set amount allotted for expenses. This way you force yourself to spend wisely and really focus on expenses that are most important. For those of you already in business this can be a radical change from how you have been doing things. You might have to hold off on some purchases in the short run in order to set yourself for long term success. This approach gives you the opportunity to grow your income and profits, so you will have the resources to invest back into your business without creating that same situation that causes most businesses to fail. If you put everything you have back into your business you risk not being able to sustain your business the way you want to or worse not being able to sustain your business at all. How to Start Your Profit First Strategy in 5 easy Steps 1. Get your Accounts in Order The first step is to break down how your bank account works. This means creating multiple smaller accounts within your existing bank account. If you don’t already have a sperate business bank account you will want to get one. This will require an EIN (Employee Identification Number) and your business registration. You want to have 5 different accounts that are based on your core business functions:
When opening bank accounts for your Profit First business, you should open three checking accounts for Income, Owners Compensation, and Operating Expenses. Two saving accounts for Profit and Tax. 2. Profit First CAPS & TAPS After creating your separate accounts you will have to decide two different percentages. Current Allocation Percentages (CAPS) and the Target Allocation Percentages (TAPS). You will use these percentages to determine how to distribute your income into the different accounts. Proceeds from sales should be deposited into your main Income account then distributed into your other accounts based on the percentages you’ve allotted for each destination. CAPS This is where your business is at right now. What does your income and expenses look like day-to-day in its current format. TAPS This is where you want your business to be; these are the ideal percentages you’re working towards hitting. The goal is to gradually move from your CAPS to your TAPS. This is not an overnight kind of deal. It may take months or even a year, but that is why it is a process. You can’t work towards your goals until you know what they are and know where you are starting from. If the suggested 5% profit is too much then bump it down to 1% to start with. 1% is still a profitable business. The following table is an example of different revenue-dependent scenarios. 3.Transfer Funds
When you get income it should go directly into your main account. Select a time that works with your business on when to distribute funds. How often this happens is completely up to you, though it is recommended to distribute on the 10th and 25th of each month. Some businesses do this process weekly or bi-weekly. 4.Make Payments Use your separate accounts for their intended purpose. Avoid moving funds around in the accounts to meet expense needs.
As Michalowicz says in his book, “Owner’s compensation is the money you get paid for working in your business; profit is the reward you get for owning it.” 5.Review At the end of each quarter, review your process and how it is working in your business. Adjust as needed. It is as simple as that. Change your mindset, change your life (and business). We teach this strategy and so many other topics to ensure sustainability in your birth business in our BABES Business Academy. |
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