Building Your Birthwork Practice: A Guide to Finding Your First Clients

From Training to Career: Taking the First Step Forward

Congratulations! You’ve completed your birthworker training and you’re ready to step into this meaningful work of supporting families during one of life’s most transformative experiences. But now comes the question that many new birthworkers face: “How do I find my first clients?”

The transition from student to practicing birthworker can feel daunting, especially when you’re looking to build those crucial first client relationships that will help establish your career and complete your certification requirements. The good news is that with the right approach and strategies, you can begin connecting with families who need your support while building a sustainable foundation for your birthwork career.

Remember: Every experienced birthworker started exactly where you are now. What sets successful birthworkers apart isn’t just their training—it’s their willingness to step out of their comfort zone, connect authentically with their community, and consistently show up as the compassionate professional they’ve trained to become.

Start Where You’re Known: Your Personal Network

Your journey to finding clients begins in the most familiar place: among the people who already know and trust you. Your personal network represents your most valuable initial resource for building your birthwork career.

Who to reach out to:

• Family members and close relatives
• Friends from different circles (work, school, hobbies)
• Colleagues and former coworkers
• Neighbors and community acquaintances
• Members of groups you belong to (gym, church, clubs)

What to share with them:

• Your passion: What drew you to birthwork and why it matters to you
• Your training: The specific education and certification you’ve completed
• Your services: Clearly explain what you offer (labor support, postpartum care, education)
• Your availability: Let them know you’re actively seeking your first clients

How to make it easy for them to help:

• Create simple referral cards they can share
• Provide digital graphics for social media sharing
• Give them your website or social media handles
• Offer specific language they can use when recommending you

Pro tip: Each conversation helps you refine your messaging and build confidence. You’ll find yourself becoming more comfortable explaining the value of birthwork with each discussion.

Establishing Your Digital Presence

In today’s connected world, your online presence often serves as the first impression potential clients will have of your work. Start building your digital foundation early—even before completing your training.

Essential digital foundations:

• Consistent branding across all platforms (same name, colors, messaging)
• Professional social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• A simple website (even a one-page site works initially)
• Clear contact information on all platforms

What to include on your website:

– Your training background and certifications
– Services you offer and your approach
– Your story and why you became a birthworker
– Professional photos (even simple headshots work)
– Testimonials from training instructors or mentors
– Easy ways to contact you

Social media strategy:

• Share educational content about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum topics
• Post about your journey as a new birthworker
• Engage authentically with local parenting and birth communities
• Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility
• Be consistent with posting (aim for 2-3 times per week minimum)

Remember: Potential clients often research birthworkers online before making contact. Your digital presence serves as a 24/7 ambassador for your services.

Building Professional Networks and Relationships

The birth community is interconnected, and building relationships with other professionals is crucial for long-term success. Rather than viewing other birthworkers as competition, approach them as potential collaborators and mentors.

Key professionals to connect with:

• Experienced birthworkers in your area
• Healthcare providers (midwives, OB-GYNs, nurses)
• Prenatal yoga instructors
• Childbirth educators
• Massage therapists specializing in pregnancy
• Lactation consultants
• Mental health professionals serving families
• Photographers specializing in birth/newborn

How to approach networking:

1. Reach out with genuine interest in learning about their work
2. Ask thoughtful questions about their experiences and advice
3. Propose coffee meetings or virtual introductions
4. Attend professional events and continuing education workshops
5. Join professional organizations both locally and nationally

Building mutually beneficial relationships:

• Offer value first: Share resources, referrals, or assistance
• Be genuinely interested in their work and challenges
• Follow up consistently with periodic check-ins
• Celebrate their successes and support their initiatives
• Maintain professionalism while building authentic connections

Leveraging Community Groups and Online Forums

Local parenting groups represent valuable opportunities to establish yourself as a knowledgeable and helpful resource in your community.

Where to engage:

• Facebook mom groups and local parenting communities
• In-person meetups for expecting and new parents
• Community events at libraries, community centers, churches
• Online forums like local Reddit communities or NextDoor
• Birth professional groups (join existing ones or create your own)

How to participate effectively:

– Be helpful, not promotional: Focus on answering questions and providing value
– Share evidence-based information that demonstrates your knowledge
– Respect group guidelines regarding self-promotion
– Build genuine relationships before discussing your services
– Offer resources like articles, book recommendations, or local referrals

Creating your own groups or events:

• Monthly birth professional meetups at local coffee shops
• Virtual educational sessions on birth-related topics
• Informal support circles for expecting families
• Collaborative events with other birth professionals

Key principle: Consistent helpful participation builds trust and establishes your reputation as someone who genuinely cares about families’ wellbeing.

Creating Educational Content and Thought Leadership

Establishing yourself as an educational resource helps build trust with potential clients while demonstrating your knowledge and expertise.

Content ideas for new birthworkers:

• Your training experience: What you learned and how it prepared you
• Common misconceptions about birthwork and what you actually do
• Evidence-based information about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum topics
• Personal story: Why you became a birthworker
• Tips and resources for expecting families
• Interviews with mentors or other birth professionals

Platforms for sharing content:

• Your own blog (on your website)
• Social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• Guest posts on local parenting blogs
• Local publications (newspapers, magazines, newsletters)
• Community websites and parenting resources

Content formats to try:

• Written articles and blog posts
• Simple videos recorded on your phone
• Infographics with helpful tips or statistics
• Live Q&A sessions on social media
• Podcast interviews (as a guest initially)

Focus on: Topics that address real concerns and questions from families in your community. Research common pregnancy and birth-related questions online for content inspiration.

Organizing and Attending Community Events

Face-to-face connections remain incredibly powerful for building trust and establishing professional relationships.

Events to attend:

• Birth fairs and parenting expos
• Prenatal classes and new parent support groups
• Professional conferences and workshops
• Community health events
• Local business networking meetings

Events you can organize:

• Birth Professional Coffee monthly meetups
• Educational workshops on birth-related topics
• Panel discussions with various birth professionals
• Informal gatherings for expecting families
• Collaborative events with complementary businesses

Keys to successful event participation:

1. Focus on relationship building over immediate client acquisition
2. Bring professional materials but let conversations flow naturally
3. Follow up within 48 hours with new connections
4. Be consistent with attendance and hosting
5. Partner with others to share costs and expand reach

Event planning tips:

• Start small but be consistent with timing and location
• Choose accessible venues that expecting families can easily reach
• Promote through multiple channels (social media, professional networks, community boards)
• Have clear goals for each event you attend or host

Following Up and Maintaining Connections

Building a successful birthwork career requires consistent follow-up and relationship maintenance.

Follow-up best practices:

• Within 24-48 hours: Send personalized thank you messages
• Reference specific conversations:** Show you were engaged and listening
• Provide promised resources: Follow through on any commitments made
• Connect on social media: Continue the relationship online
• Add to your contact system: Don’t rely on memory alone

Systems for staying organized:

• Simple spreadsheets tracking contacts and conversations
• Contact management apps for more sophisticated tracking
• Calendar reminders for periodic check-ins
• Social media lists to easily engage with professional contacts

Long-term relationship maintenance:

• Monthly newsletters with valuable content and updates
• Periodic check-ins with professional contacts
• Sharing opportunities and resources with your network
• Celebrating successes of colleagues and connections
• Consistent social media engagement with your community

For potential clients who aren’t ready yet:

• Gentle, non-intrusive follow-up every few months
• Valuable content that keeps you top-of-mind
• Seasonal check-ins around major holidays or life events
• Educational resources that demonstrate ongoing value

Embracing Authentic Marketing

As our marketing manager Krishna says: “Marketing as a birthworker is about opening yourself up to the world, sharing who you are as a birthworker, and sharing your passion.” When you approach marketing from this authentic perspective, it becomes less about “selling” and more about connecting with families who need exactly what you offer.

Core principles of authentic marketing:

• Share your genuine story: What drew you to this work and what you hope to achieve
• Show your personality: Let families see who you really are
• Be honest about your experience level: New doesn’t mean less valuable
• Focus on your unique strengths: What makes your approach special
• Demonstrate your values: How you prioritize families’ wellbeing

Authentic marketing strategies:

• Tell your story regularly across different platforms and contexts
• Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your continuing education and growth
• Be vulnerable about your journey while maintaining professionalism
• Celebrate your wins and learn from challenges openly
• Connect your personal values to your professional approach

What authentic marketing is NOT:

• Pretending to have more experience than you do
• Copying other birthworkers’ messaging or approaches
• Being overly promotional or sales-focused
• Hiding your personality behind generic professional language
• Making promises you can’t keep or guaranteeing specific outcomes

Remember: Families seeking birth support are looking for someone they trust implicitly during one of life’s most vulnerable experiences. Authentic marketing helps them understand not just what you do, but who you are and how you’ll support them.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Building a successful birthwork career takes time, patience, and genuine commitment to serving families. Here’s what to keep in mind as you begin this journey:

Mindset shifts that help:

• Quality over quantity: Focus on finding the right clients, not just any clients
• Relationship building over sales: Invest in genuine connections
• Learning from each interaction: Every conversation teaches you something valuable
• Patience with the process: Good things take time to develop
• Trust in your training: You have valuable skills to offer families

Signs you’re on the right track:

• People are engaging with your content and asking questions
• Professional connections are referring opportunities your way
• You’re feeling more confident talking about your services
• Your network is growing consistently, even if slowly
• You’re receiving positive feedback on your educational content

When things feel challenging:

• Remember your “why”: What drew you to this meaningful work
• Celebrate small wins: Every connection and conversation matters
• Seek support: Connect with mentors and other new birthworkers
• Stay consistent: Success comes from sustained effort over time
• Keep learning: Continue growing your skills and knowledge

The journey from newly trained birthworker to established professional requires patience, persistence, and genuine commitment to serving families. By starting with your existing network, building professional relationships, establishing your online presence, and approaching marketing authentically, you’re laying the groundwork for a fulfilling and sustainable birthwork career.

Your training has prepared you with the knowledge and skills you need. Now it’s time to trust in your abilities, connect with your community, and begin the rewarding work of supporting families during one of life’s most significant transitions.

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