Systems For a Doula Business To Run Smoothly
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Transcript
Welcome to Dula Tips and Tits, the podcast where we cut through the noise and get real about what it takes to build a sustainable doula business. I'm Kaylee Harrod. I've been a doula informally for 14 years and full time for seven.
Around here, we don't sugarcoat stuff. We talk autonomy, owning your worth, creating a business that works for you. No fluff, no burnout, just the honest truth on how to be your own best boss. Let's get into today's episode.
Hello and welcome back to Dula Tips and Tits. Today, I want to talk to you about the systems that I use in my business in part because yesterday, if you're listening to this when it comes out, it's Wednesday.
Yesterday, I had my workshop where we talked through a 90-day doula business plan. One of the things that came up is how do I organize my business and what are some systems that I use? I want to talk through it a little bit because I think, for one, I haven't done it in a long time and for two, I want to share why it can be easier than you think.
So to start with, I have online contracts and I really, really, really, really, really, really strongly recommend having online contracts. I use JotForm for that. You can have, I believe, up to five forms for free for JotForm and so you do not have to start out paying for a JotForm plan.
At this point, I do pay for a JotForm plan, but that's because I use it for a lot of other things as well. So JotForm is what I use for my inquiry form, for my intake form, for any sort of like when I have someone inquire about being a podcast guest or any of that.
and then also for contracts. Sorry I lost my train of thought for a second. And I used it for contracts for contractors, I used it for contracts for clients, I used it for, I use it currently for all kinds of things.
So that's the first system. The second system is mailer light that I use for email, but also it groups people and so I can use it to organize folks. So part of my work is this doula coaching, you know, and so for clients, it just basically puts them into like a doula client group when they sign the contract and then I don't really, I don't group them beyond that because I just don't feel like it.
I mean, I could get creative with it, I suppose, but I don't want to. So I don't group them beyond that. But then when I have a doula come into my world, they are grouped in a variety of different ways.
And think of it kind of as like tags. So like, if you first came into my world because you came to my doula consultation workshop that I had a while ago, right? Then you went to maybe my, like, then you're, if you did that workshop, you're in two groups.
You're in my newsletter group and you're in the workshop group. Then if you sign up for another class, you're also in that group. Part of what that tells me is when did you come into my world as a customer and how, how have you engaged?
Right? Like, what are things that you're showing interest in? What are things you're engaging with? Those metrics are really helpful to also, to validate you for one, but also to give you guidance on what things to do more of.
And so that's kind of what that mailer light does for me personally. Okay, so the next platform that I use that not everyone needs, but I use it because I have, because I have classes is Thrivecart. That is the platform that I use to sell my workshops, to sell my classes, and to also host my classes in my workshops.
And then part of that process of hosting my classes and workshops is I also have a membership to Vimeo. And so I have like a subscription, I suppose, to Vimeo where my podcast, not my podcast, my class videos live, and then they're embedded on my class website.
If all of that is a little too much tech for you, just ignore that. that. If you have an online class, if you're planning to have an online class, I really recommend checking out Thrivecart, but also check out other options.
Thrivecart is not the cheapest option, but it is really user-friendly. It's very easy for both me on the backend and also my students on their side, and so I am a big fan of it, and I was able to get a lifetime price.
So that means I'm not paying like a monthly fee for it, which really helps as well, because I was just like able to buy it and then not worry about continuing that like monthly price. So those are my main systems.
I also use Instagram, Facebook for some advertising stuff. I use Pinterest for advertising of my childbirth class especially, and then I do, I have the podcast, so I do like Buzzsprout for podcasting and Um, I have a subscription to a service for transcribing the podcast and things like that.
So there are other systems I use because I have other parts of my business like the podcast, which you would not need unless you were doing podcasting or something like that. I also just want to say that that systems setting up systems and also which systems you need is part of what I do in my coaching because it makes a huge difference in your business and because oftentimes if we don't know how to set them up well or we don't know how to use them well,
we're actually not finding them easier than doing analog stuff or like doing everything by hand, right? And so, um, I do think, I do think that's just worth knowing that that's part of the programs include like what automations do you need in your business and how do you kind of set things up easier for yourself in part because if you want to grow, that's necessary, you know, and it's necessary to grow and,
and be more sustainable, but also it's one of the things that feels really complicated. It doesn't need to be complicated. And so, um, I do really enjoy helping people get that kind of sorted out on their back end so that they're able to, um, just have an easier time, you know?
So those are the systems I use. Um, if you're listening to this in real time, so if you're actually, if you're listening to it before the end of May, um, I have an offer of 20 minute CEO calls right now that are free calls, that's just 20 minutes of my eyes on your business stuff.
You can ask me questions, you can troubleshoot stuff with me. You can, you know, kind of dig into something. It's only 20 minutes, so I do want you to show up with some like really clear direction, like show up and be like, this is what I have.
question about so that we can really get right to it. But I've had maybe like about half of them fill up so far, and the link has been out there in the wild for one day. So I do recommend that you grab that spot quickly.
The link is in the show notes. Also, if you're on the newsletter list, the link is in the newsletter. But I just want you to have kind of first dibs on getting one of those CEO calls if you need it, and you feel like it would be helpful for you.
OK, all right. I will see you in the next episode. Thanks for joining us for this episode of the Dula Tips and Tits podcast. If you learned something today or had an aha moment, we'd love for you to share that on Instagram and tag us at hiradula so we can celebrate alongside you.
If you found this podcast helpful, we would so appreciate you taking a second to leave a rating and a review on your favorite podcast app. That helps other doulas find us as we do this work together.
This podcast is intended as educational and entertainment. It is not medical advice or business advice. Please consult your own medical or legal team for your own needs around your health and your business.
We'll see you again soon.
Grab a free CEO Call this week and next! 20 Minutes of time getting my thoughts on your most pressing business needs and questions!
https://calendly.com/harroddoula/30min
Business systems are necessary, but not necessarily expensive! Just like anything in business you need some guidance on which ones you need for what you’re looking for. I share all my favorite business systems in this episode!
Quote from the show:
“How do I organize my business and what are some systems that I use? I want to talk through it a little bit because I think, for one, I haven't done it in a long time and for two, I want to share why it can be easier than you think. So to start with, I have online contracts and I really, really, really, really, really, really strongly recommend having online contracts. I use JotForm for that. You can have, I believe, up to five forms for free for JotForm and so you do not have to start out paying for a JotForm plan. So that's the first system. The second system is MailerLite that I use for email, but also it groups people and so I can use it to organize folks. So part of my work is this doula coaching, you know, and so for clients, it just basically puts them into like a doula client group when they sign the contract and then I don't really, I don't group them beyond that because I just don't feel like it. ”
ASK A QUESTION!!! My plan is to start Friday Q&A (we need a new name, I know!) but first I need your questions! Submit them using the form below:
https://www.harroddoulaservices.com/ask-me-a-question
CONNECT with Kaely on TikTok or Instagram
https://www.tiktok.com/@doulacoach
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If you like this episode, don't forget to share it to your Instagram stories and tag me @harroddoula
Doula Tips and Tits is produced by Kaely Harrod of Harrod Doula Services
It is sponsored by The Doula Biz Blueprint Self-Paced Class for Doulas Launching Successful and Sustainable Businesses!
Music by Madirfan: Hidden Place on Pixabay
