What You’ll Learn

• How to identify collaboration opportunities that actually grow your doula business
• Why some partnerships look good on paper but fail in practice
• How to track what works so you can focus on what brings real results
• What to clarify before joining forces with other doulas or professionals

Not Every Collaboration Is Worth It

When you start your doula business, it is natural to want to say yes to everything. You want to meet other professionals, be part of your community, and get your name out there. Collaboration sounds like the perfect way to do it.

But not every partnership helps your business grow. Some look great at first, then end up draining your time and energy without much to show for it.

The goal is not to say yes or no automatically. It is to learn how to evaluate what is truly valuable for your business and your ideal clients.

One Size Does Not Fit All

What works beautifully for one doula might do nothing for another.

You might hear another doula talk about how much success they have partnering with a local chiropractor, but when you try the same thing, you do not get the same results. That does not mean you did it wrong. It means their clients and your clients may come from different networks.

The key is to find the right partnerships for you.

Think about who regularly sees your ideal clients. Maybe that is a childbirth educator, a prenatal yoga teacher, or a mental health therapist who works with pregnant or postpartum clients.

Once you start collaborating, track what happens next.

• How many inquiries came from that referral?
• Did those people hire you?
• Were they a good fit for your practice?

It is not about how many names you get, but how many of them turn into the kind of clients you want to work with.

Be Wary of “Exposure Only” Opportunities

If someone offers you an opportunity that is “great exposure,” stop and ask what that really means.

Exposure is not a benefit if it does not connect you with people who are ready to work with you.

If you are giving your time, expertise, or energy, make sure there is a clear benefit for your business. Maybe that means direct referrals, valuable connections, or visibility among your target audience. If it is only vague promises or social media shoutouts, you can probably skip it.

Your time is valuable, and the right collaborations will respect that.

If you’ve ever underpriced your services or offered your time for “exposure,” this post on creative doula pricing ideas will help you think differently about your value.

When You Work With Other Doulas or Practitioners

Collaborating with other doulas can be a great way to share costs and reach more people. But clarity matters.

If you are sharing a table at a baby fair or local event, make sure you talk through every detail in advance:

• Who is paying what portion of the fee?
• Who will cover which shifts?
• Will everyone get the participant list afterward?
• What happens if someone cannot make their shift?

It may feel awkward to spell it all out, but it prevents misunderstandings later. The clearer you are, the smoother the collaboration will go.

Rethink Your Provider Connections

Many doulas try to build relationships by leaving cards or flyers in doctors’ or midwives’ offices. Unfortunately, those materials often end up tossed in a pile or ignored.

A personal referral from a provider is worth far more.

Instead of saying, “Tell all your patients I’m a local doula,” try, “If someone asks about doulas, would you feel comfortable giving them my card?”

It is a small shift that builds real connection instead of just leaving paper behind.

Also, try not to assume which providers will refer to you. For example, some doulas think home birth midwives do not need them, but in many places, first-time parents are required to hire a doula. You might find unexpected success in places you did not expect.

Check Your Data and Adjust

Treat collaborations like any other part of your business. Collect information, evaluate results, and adjust.

Ask yourself:

• Which connections brought actual clients?
• Which ones brought clients that were a great fit?
• Where am I spending time that is not leading anywhere?

Keeping even a simple spreadsheet or list helps you see what is worth repeating and what you can let go.

Keep an Open Mind, But Protect Your Time

Collaboration should feel balanced and professional, not exhausting or one-sided.

You might need to experiment to find what works best for your market, your style, and your community. Keep an open mind, track what happens, and learn from it.

And if something is not working, it is perfectly fine to move on.

Come share what has worked for you, especially something that was unexpected, inside the Doula Business Community.
Your story might help another doula find the collaboration that changes everything for them too.

If you’re struggling to balance client work, collaborations, and family time, you might also like How to Set Boundaries as a Doula When Family Doesn’t Understand Your On-Call Life.