More Clients, Less Work: How Referrals Do the Selling for You with Erica Arsenault
Are you struggling to attract more doula clients? You’re not alone! Many doulas pour their energy into social media and marketing but still find themselves hustling for bookings. The truth is, you don’t have to do it all yourself—referrals and community connections can be the game-changer your business needs.
In this episode of the Loud Mouth Doula Podcast, I sit down with Erica Arsenault, an expert in mother-centered businesses and in-person doula trainings, to discuss why word-of-mouth marketing is the most powerful (and often overlooked) strategy for growing your local doula business.
Why Referrals Are the Key to a Thriving Doula Business
In a service-based industry like birth work, trust is everything. Expecting parents want doulas they feel confident in—and nothing builds trust faster than a personal recommendation from a friend, healthcare provider, or past client. Here’s why referrals should be a core strategy in your business:
They bring in ideal clients. People who come through referrals are often pre-sold on your services, meaning they require less convincing and are more likely to book.
They cost nothing. Unlike paid ads or endless social media posting, referrals are free marketing that continues to work for you over time.
They build long-term business sustainability. The more relationships you nurture, the more consistent and predictable your client flow becomes.
How to Build a Strong Referral Network as a Doula
So, how can you start attracting more doula clients through word-of-mouth? Here are some actionable steps we cover in the podcast:
1. Cultivate Relationships with Local Birth Professionals
Your local birth network can be one of your greatest sources of referrals. Connect with:
Midwives
OB-GYNs
Chiropractors specializing in pregnancy
Lactation consultants
Pelvic floor therapists
When these professionals know and trust you, they’ll naturally recommend you to their clients.
2. Strengthen Your Relationships with Past Clients
Happy clients can be your biggest advocates! Encourage word-of-mouth referrals by:
Asking for testimonials and reviews
Offering referral incentives (e.g., a small gift or discount for every booked referral)
Staying in touch through email or social media
3. Collaborate with Other Doulas
Too often, doulas see each other as competition instead of partners in success. In reality, mutually beneficial collaborations can help everyone grow! Consider:
Referring out when you’re fully booked
Partnering on workshops or community events
Co-hosting birth-related classes
4. Get Involved in Your Local Community
Being visible and engaged in your local area makes it easier for people to remember and recommend you. Try:
Hosting free pregnancy or postpartum support groups
Attending birth expos and networking events
Partnering with local businesses that serve new moms
Why This Approach Works (and How It Can Replace Constant Marketing)
If you’re tired of the social media grind, focusing on real connections can help your business grow organically—without burning yourself out. In this episode, Erica Arsenault shares how she’s built a successful community-driven doula business by prioritizing in-person relationships over digital marketing.
She leads in-person doula trainings and mentors women in mother-centered businesses, proving that building a strong referral network isn’t just effective—it’s essential.
Listen to the Full Episode
🔊 Tune in now to hear my conversation with Erica Arsenault! We dive deep into:
✅ The easiest ways to start getting referrals today
✅ How to build a strong local doula network
✅ Why collaboration beats competition every time
Final Thoughts: Your Business Can Grow Without Burnout
If you want more doula clients without constantly hustling on social media, it’s time to embrace the power of referrals. Focus on real relationships, community connections, and word-of-mouth marketing, and watch your business grow effortlessly.
