RE: [ozmidwifery] Marketing the Midwife & the Doula

[Vedrana Valčić]

I share Päivi’s opinion, Kelly J. If I could go, I’d want to know about effective ways to counter myths and prejudices which originally came from people with authority and which cause people to have serious doubts about the whole deal.   From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of Päivi Laukkanen Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2006 9:43 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Marketing the Midwife & the Doula   Hi Kelly,   Sounds like a great idea, wish I could go... If I would be able to make it would like to know how to do the lobbying for a good cause! One thing I have noticed, that many midwifes or birth centres don't have a professional looking website or a brochure to give out. This is something, what I find essential in today's world. I have thought, that I could use my skills and work with my sister, who is a graphic designer to come up with a template for a birthrelated website and a template for a brochure and a business card. You could also use your own photoes with the template. This would make it so much easier for someone to get all the good looking material even if they don't have the skills for that part of the business. Well, it would take me a while to get it done, but this is just an idea I have had.   Päivi ----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly @ BellyBelly To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2006 1:57 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Marketing the Midwife & the Doula   Dear all,   As you may have read in my previous emails, I have spoken to some high profile business people of late in regards to the situation with maternity services, particularly with lobbying to government and also marketing the midwife and Doula to ‘sell’ the idea to the public.   The reason I spoke to these people is because I am interested in holding a conference / workshop over a weekend for midwives and Doulas to learn about effectively marketing themselves, improving their networking skills, communication skills and to learn some other essential business skills which I think is badly needed. I would also like to hold a separate session perhaps towards the end of the conference (which wont be of interest to everyone) on lobbying to government and other authoritative bodies in order to get effective recognition for the things that have been lobbied for, for so long.   While these business professionals I have spoken to wont have the passion and understanding of what we do, for example the idea of homebirth may not be something they would do, promote or feel safe with, their business skills are very valid and even their views are a wake-up call as to what the public do think when presented with such an idea, no matter how educated they might be. It’s time to get out the comfort zone and operate a basic sales rule – ‘you were given two ears and one mouth – and they need to be used in that ratio.’   I would now like to do some market research and ask you who would be interested in attending, and also, what you would like to learn about most – perhaps even if you wouldn’t be able to make it, you could offer three top things you would like to know about how you can get yourselves ‘out there’ or what you can do. I have had a great response from the few people I have already mentioned this to, so now I would like to put this out and ask you if you would come along and be open to some advice from some amazing, successful business people, and look outside the square to get a fresh insight on things that need to change, need to be improved and things that are on the right track.   I anticipate this will either be a full day or two days, perhaps a weekend in Melbourne in the CBD (with a possibility in Brisbane) so those with children can attend. I can strike up a deal with a hotel to get a discount for those coming from interstate. Thoughts? Best Regards, Kelly Zantey Creator, BellyBelly.com.au Gentle Solutions From Conception to Parenthood BellyBelly Birth Support - http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth-support