As a doula, you want to make sure that you make enough money to cover your costs and make a living while also offering clients a competitive price and quality services. Luckily, there are several strategies you can use to help you determine the best pricing structure for your services.
Flat Rate Packages
Flat rate packages are a fantastic way to simplify your billing process and make it easier for clients to choose which of your services works best for them. The most common flat rate packages include a set number of visits and support, such as five or 10 visits, for an all-encompassing price.
Many doulas love charging a standard rate since they can:
- Provide their clients with more value without having to keep track of everything they do for them.
- Avoid any awkward negotiations after labor and delivery.
- Know the amount their client will pay for the birth experience, making it easier to budget for both parties.
However, please note that flat rate packages can affect how much you make per hour since specific clients will take up more time than others.
Hourly Rate Services
Hourly rate services are another common form of pricing for doulas. This pricing structure allows you to charge based on the hours you spend with your client rather than a singular fee. The hourly method is excellent for clients who:
- Don’t know how long they’ll need a doula.
- Want to budget as they go.
- Won’t need as much support.
- Want more flexibility with scheduling.
Many doulas prefer charging by the hour since it allows their income to reflect the time spent with each client. Although, a potential challenge of this pricing structure is that you may need to clarify to the client exactly how much they will pay by the end of the service.
What Determines a Doula’s Rate?
Doula rates are determined by a variety of factors, such as:
- Experience: As a doula, the more births you attend, the better quality services you will offer. Since doulas with more experience are in higher demand than those without much experience, they tend to have more flexibility in increasing their rates.
- Region: Doulas who live in areas with a higher-than-average cost of living will typically charge more for their services than their peers who live elsewhere.
- Expenses: From gas and phone bills to equipment, doulas should ensure that their fees can cover the costs associated with their business.
- Service type: Doulas offer various services, from birth preparation to postpartum support and vary in the length of time they stay with clients. Each service has its own price, determining how much the doula can charge.
- Training: Every seminar, course, and doula training program acts as an investment into your career. Those with special training in certain areas, such as water births or lactation, can command higher fees than a doula without specialized training like TENS.
Learn How to Set Your Doula Fee
Whether just becoming a doula or looking to adjust your prices to reflect your worth better, 100% Doula’s self-paced course will walk you through the steps to set your doula fee in a way that supports your business goals and client satisfaction. Enroll today!