Networking suggestions.

Having lived in a very large city and now living in the midst of five very small towns, I find that promoting classes, becoming visible, and seeking resources and contacts occurs in much the same way. There are state and local level, of course. There are medical and social services. There are practioners of western and other healing arts. There are parent groups - single parents, gay parents, battered women, teens, breastfeeding support... There are hospitals and there are laundromat bulletin boards. I never like to leave a stone unturned.

In New York City, I first sent out an introductory mailing to all OB's in my area, all midwives in the city and all hospital maternity services in my count,%,. I put flyers in all the local health food stores and contacted all the other childbirth educators in my area. It took six months to register my first couple and one year to have fairly consistently full classes. The only reason I was having such success was because two local hospitals (city hospitals required birth classes) referred clients to my Saturday classes when they could not make the evening classes the hospitals offered. Because, I offered a necessary resource not offered anywhere else, I began to prosper.

Here in the heart of several small, conservative towns where the hospital does not require class certificates and "patients" are not encouraged to take responsibility for their own health; where a great number of our residents work seasonally and are on public assistance and other social programs much of the year - promoting holistic classes and counseling proves to be a challenge. While getting the word out will be easier - small town newspaper display ads, tons of community buy/sell bulletin boards, lots of social service agencies, and word of mouth among the more liberal friends and folks - getting women to see the point may be more difficult.

I don't know how it will fare but the main thing is to try all avenues of free and inexpensive promotion first. An introductory mailing is very helpful in getting your name heard. Meet with as many head L&D nurses as you can. Tour all hospital maternity services in your area. Offer health education in homeless and battered women's shelters (the latter may provide you with special training in return for free classes). Offer counseling at the local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. If you are doing any postpartum care or counseling, barter with diaper services - "I will handout your stuff if you include my brochure in every new diaper contract." Go to La Leche League meetings and W.I.C. offices. Offer the local public assistance office special referral slips for their clients, who can then get reduced rates off your regular fees when referred by that agency.

I guarantee you will not make money for a while. But you will make trusted friends in the health care and social service fields. And you will learn which services you feel good about Offering and which you would like to leave alone. Once focused and experienced. setting fees, goals and limits will be easier and your business will probably soar.

The main thing is not to get discouraged. What you have to share is vitally important. Your non-judgmental encouragement, your willingness to find resources and information for your clients, and your respect for your and your family's needs will be impressed upon your clients and contacts. But most important - you will touch lives and people will be enriched because of your help.

Enlist the hell) of other, more experienced teachers. Call you regional representative or the main office in Ann Arbor. We are all here to help you in any way we can.