In the first two parts of this three-part article on increasing your potential income, we looked at how diversification is the key to earning more money. Offering more products will improve your ability to make money. Those extra products should be of two types: additional stand-alone products and value-added services that improve your existing products.

What should those products be?

First, look into your background, your life before you became a doula, and examine those things that you are good at, any skills you might have, any trainings you’ve done or certifications you possess. For example: Do you sew? Are you artistic? Have you taken massage workshops? Do you like to scrapbook? Are you a dedicated yoga student or fitness buff? Did you used to sell cosmetics?

Next, look at the things that you have genuine interest in and aptitude for. Would those things match up well with a business that provides support for childbearing families? For example: Are you curious about massage, aromatherapy, eco-friendly living, life coaching or breastfeeding?

Look within and without yourself for skills and opportunities for learning that will benefit your clients. Go back to previous clients and ask them what other services they would have found helpful during their childbearing year.  Examine what services you would enjoy providing to mothers, partners and children.

Here are some suggestions:

Possible Products

• Childbirth Education – Private, Group, Christian, Sibling, Homebirth, Hypnotherapy
• Photography – Home Birth Photography, Home Birth Videography, Pregnancy Portraits, Breastfeeding Portraits
• Birth Art – Belly Casting, Belly Painting, Portraits, Name Art, Scrapbooked Birth Stories, Placenta Prints, Jewelry
• Slings – Sales Only, Sales & Manufacture
• Eco-Friendly Products – Natural Personal Products for Mothers, Natural Personal Products for Baby, Cloth Diapers
• Books/eBooks – Childbirth Preparation, Nutrition for Pregnancy, Fitness for Pregnancy, Smoking Cessation, Breastfeeding Basics, Comfort Measures, Newborn Preparation
• Diaper Cakes
• Baby Event Coordination – Blessingways, Showers, New Baby Party, New Baby Party for the Adoptive Child, New Baby Announcement Cards/eCards

Value-Added Services

• Massage – Traditional, Aromatherapy, Foot, Back
• Breastfeeding Counseling
• Home Child Safety Consultation
• Financial Preparedness Consultation
• Babywearing Consultation
• Birth Art – Birth Portrait, Birth Story – Text, Birth Story – Scrapbook Page
• Handmade Rice Bag
• Personal Coaching – Health Coaching, Life Coaching, Financial Coaching, Fitness Coaching, Nutrition Coaching
• Personalized Wearables – Onesies, Hats, Blankets, Booties
• TENS Machine Rentals
• EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
• Coupons, Discounts and Gift Certificates For Partnered Services

As you can see, there are a lot of products and service offerings that can enhance your doula business. Some require new trainings and certifications and some require skill and aptitude. All would increase you’re your ability to create income as well as differentiating you in the marketplace.

As we come the end of this series on increasing your income potential, I want to draw on your expertise. What are some of the diversified products and added benefits that you offer your clients?

Leanne Palmerston is a doula, childbirth educator, radio personality and writer in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. She’s writes about birth issues at Hamilton Doula, a crafty life with kids at The Clever Mom and whatever strikes her fancy at Momcast. You can also find Leanne on Twitter and Facebook.

Many thanks to Leanne for taking the time to create this article series. If you would like to be a contributing guest author on the Savvy Doula Business Blog, please send me an email at Darlene@SavvyDoula.com, or send me a DM via Twitter @savvydoula.

Tags: doula business, doula products, doula services

Other Savvy Posts You May Enjoy:

1. Increasing Your Earning Potential, Part 2 of 3 – Two Types Of Products, by Leanne Palmerston
2. Powerful Descriptions To Sell Your Doula Services
3. Day 9 of Reorganize Your Doula Biz for ‘09 – 10 Tips for Taming That Paper
4. Product Review – “File-It Calendar” by Andrea Lythgoe
5. Day 2 of Reorganize Your Doula Biz for ‘09 – What Are Your Most Important Values?