5 Tech Tools for Virtual Doulas

Traditionally, Doula services are hands-on, in homes and at births, BUT that business model has changed. You’ve come to the right place because we don’t do traditional around here. So, how can you keep up and shift (part of) your business virtual?

Getting started doing business online can be overwhelming, I know. I started in 2017 and spent hours, days, months, and years figuring it out. I read blogs, listened to online business podcasts, and took multiple trainings. I tried, made mistakes, and tried again until things started to come together. In hopes of saving you precious time, here are five simple tech tools to make your Doula business run more smoothly.

Number One: Canva

One look at a brand new Instagram account and the “how am I supposed to fill this with images” panic sets in. That’s where Canva comes in with it’s magic. Canva is a graphics design tool that is super user-friendly and affordable…or free.

Check out the graphics on my Instagram to get an idea of the type of files you can create for your birth business. In addition to loads of easy-to-use templates and a user-friendly interface, Canva allows you to add all your branding information directly into your account, with hex codes, fonts, and logos all in one spot. And, they recently released new slide templates and recording functions. Total win!

If you’re a Doula on the go, you can utilize the Canva app to create quick quote graphics for social media. Need quotes and affirmations to jumpstart? Be sure to grab the Digital Doula’s Content Toolkit (at 86% off)!

Number Two: Zoom

One year into the pandemic and I think we’ve all learned that Zoom is great for meetings. But, did you realize that you can record course modules as well? If you’ve taken any of my on-demand Doula Business Courses (i.e. Course Creation for Doulas) you’ve experienced a Zoom course recording in action.

Other areas of my business where Zoom comes in handy: recording the Doulas Going Digital podcast and private client calls (both pregnant folks and birth professionals). Zoom offers a free and a paid version. I opt for the paid version, due to the limitations on recordable minutes in the free version. But if you’re just hoping to deepen the connection between you and your clients, and don’t need the storage for recorded features, the free version is a great place to start.

Number Three: Flodesk

Flodesk is an email management system that allows you to easily stay connected to your audience, directly in their inbox. In my opinion, it’s the easiest email management system on the market for business owners who are new to email marketing. And, the email design templates are beautiful. If you get my emails, they’re all made in Flodesk! If you don’t yet get my emails, downloading the 7-Step Roadmap to Bring Your Birth Business Online is a great way to see Flodesk email marketing in action (and, help you with the next steps after this post).

The platform also includes automated workflow templates. Workflows are an automated sequence of emails that are delivered after a user signs up. So for example, let’s say a pregnant person downloads a baby registry checklist from your website. They enter their name & email, then Flodesk automatically delivers the freebie via email, and the following series of emails that you set up.

If email marketing feels like a massive project, I get it. I had major resistance to email marketing for the first 1.5 years in my business. But since I forced myself to start and figure it out, email has completely changed my birth business for the better. I am able to reach more people, automatically, directly in their inbox. Keep in mind that only a small percentage of your audience on social media actually sees your posts, but emails are a direct connection.

My last point on email marketing: you own your email list, whereas social media (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) are rented.

If you’re ready to give Flodesk a whirl: Here’s a code that will save you 50% when you get started!

Number Four: Walkie-Talkie App

Do you remember when you played with walkie-talkies as a kid? You get to bring that back as a Doula business owner. Voxer walkie-talkie/messenger is my personal fave, and they offer a free version.

If your hands are always busy changing diapers or grabbing a million snacks for your kids, Voxer offers an easy way to send a voice message to your clients without the need to type everything out.

Also, it’s a great option for deeper connection communication with clients. Voice-to-voice conversations make your services feel much more personalized and your clients feel more cared for during their pregnancy and parenthood journeys.

In my work with birth professionals, my clients are able to text, send links, images and such for review in between conversations. That way, we keep the ball rolling and I’m literally in their back pocket.

Number Five: Honeybook

If you have dipped your toe in the waters of Customer Relationship Management Software, you know that they are not all created equal. Some CRMs I’ve tried are VERY frustrating and difficult to navigate, even one of the most well-known in the game (not naming names, but it starts with a “D”).

Enter my favorite: Honeybook. It’s is a CRM that has SO MANY customizable features to use in your business: Online Contracts, Proposals, Invoices, Client Scheduling, Questionnaires, and Online Payments. There’s also an option to embed a link directly to an inquiry or contact section on your website. In other words, when potential clients are on your services page, they can click a link to inquire that’s connected directly to Honeybook. Then, the system will send you an email and/or move potential clients through an automated workflow.

The best part is that it’s easy AF to use. As a small business owner/mom of three young children, I have no time or patience for complicated. If you, too, wear many hats, you’ll need something simple, straightforward, and user-friendly. I highly recommend Honeybook. Here is a special savings code for you to use when you sign up for the free trial (click here for code), then the savings kick in if you decide to use the service.

Whether you’re transitioning your doula business to online full-time, or temporarily virtual during the pandemic, these tech tools will help you continue to build your business. We are building sustainable businesses that will allow you to continue doing the important work that you love, in a strategic way that works for your life.

And remember, keep it simple. Reallocate your minutes to move the needle forward in your business.

Be sure to join the Doulas Going Digital Facebook group to share your experience with the tools listed here or tell me about your faves. See you there!