Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

Are you hoping to teach (prospective) parents, or people in the healthcare field? You'd approach these different markets differently.

Before offering classes, talk to prospective clients to see if (and why) they'd sign up to take any of these classes. What information can they already get? From who? Why would they trust your classes? How would your classes be better/different from the other choices they'd have (including online classes)?

Once you better understand the needs of your audience, you can better determine how to communicate your offerings in a way that will be well-received.

A thought - have you done any advertising for your previous work as (I presume) a midwife?

You have - and are - working in a field that is not only personal but requires a deal of personalized attention. All of this will give you a huge advantage in how you market yourself. After all you know what you are doing, and you have helped young mums-to-be to do something they have never done before. That isn't easy!!

Could you give us a rough idea of what you have done in the past - and what you are interested in doing? That way we can come back to you with some concrete suggestions to get you kicked off.

Moriarty (mum to two young adults).

Why might someone come to you instead of one of the not-for-profit organizations that already exist? Where does your target audience live? What are they doing now to learn about this kind of thing? We will need to understand the marketplace environment much better if we are to give you good directions on advertising your services.

I don't understand whether you are asking for marketing ideas (name, tag line and services) or are you asking what media you should use to reach your target market (posters, flyers, newspaper/magazine adverts) etc?

One way to start would be to get in touch with folks who have influence on how similar classes are staffed and taught at hospitals and clinics in your area. Try the community education department or try to speak with one of the head nurses in the labor and delivery department. If you meet their qualifications, you might be able to teach a class or two there to get a feel for what is offered/needed AND to get some exposure and build credibility as an expert. Once docs and nurses know you and are familiar with your expertise and delivery (no pun), you may be able to get referrals and support from them.