One of the most important skills you’ll develop as a birth doula is the ability to confidently interview with potential clients. Your first impression matters—it can mean the difference between a parent hiring you or moving on to someone else.
But let’s be honest: interviewing can feel nerve-wracking when you’re new (or even if you’ve been at this for a while). That’s why I created Aria, an interactive chatbot designed to help you practice real client interviews in a no-pressure setting.
Aria will walk you through a realistic consultation—asking the kinds of questions that expectant parents typically ask when choosing a doula. Then, at the end, she’ll offer encouraging, actionable feedback to help you improve.
Why Practice Doula Interviews?
A strong interview is about more than just answering questions—it’s about building connection and trust with potential clients. Practicing helps you:
✔️ Refine your answers so they sound natural, not rehearsed
✔️ Prepare for tricky questions (like pricing and backup doulas)
✔️ Feel more confident in your value and what you offer
✔️ Identify areas for improvement in a safe, supportive space
How It Works
1. Start the Interview
When you begin, Aria will act as a pregnant client at 24 weeks, looking for the right birth doula. She will:
- Ask one question at a time, just like in a real conversation
- Start with introductory questions to break the ice
- Move into logistics, support style, and pricing
Tip: Answer as if you’re speaking to a real client—clear, warm, and professional.
2. Answer the Pricing Question Carefully
Aria will always ask about pricing, just like real clients do. If you say you work for free, she’ll respond with:
🗨️ “Your time is valuable, and you deserve to be paid for your work. What is the average rate doulas charge in this area?”
This helps you practice confidently discussing your worth without hesitation.
3. Wrap Up After About Five Questions
After a few key questions, Aria will start wrapping up the conversation and ask about next steps. This gives you a chance to practice closing the interview professionally (e.g., explaining contracts, follow-ups, and what hiring you looks like).
4. Get Constructive Feedback
At the end, Aria will ask if you’d like feedback. If you say yes, she will:
✅ Highlight what you did well
✅ Offer a specific, actionable tip for improvement
✅ Keep the feedback encouraging and useful
💡 Example feedback:
“You explained your role beautifully! One way to strengthen your response is to give a quick example of how you’ve helped a past client through labor. Stories help parents picture what working with you will feel like!”
This way, you’ll leave feeling encouraged while having a clear takeaway to refine your approach.
How to Get the Most Out of Aria
🌟 Practice multiple times—try different answers and see what feels best
🌟 Record your responses (even voice memos) to review your tone and clarity
🌟 Experiment with different client personalities (first-time parent, experienced parent, etc.)
🌟 Take notes on Aria’s feedback and tweak your answers accordingly
Ready to Boost Your Interview Confidence?
Whether you’re a brand-new doula or just want to fine-tune your consultation skills, practicing with Aria will help you communicate with confidence and ease when meeting potential clients.
💬 Try it out and see how much stronger your interviews become!
