A doula recently asked me >>

“Do I HAVE to do both Instagram AND Facebook?”

First, you actually don’t HAVE to do either social media platform. There are other pathways to marketing your business such as search engine optimization and word-of-mouth referrals. If you’re truly going to be miserable on a particular social media platform I highly encourage you to IGNORE IT ALTOGETHER! (This is why I am NOT on twitter).

You can love social media or hate it, or simply wish you could ignore it altogether, but social media is an integral part of doula business today, especially given the millenial usage of social media. Yes, there are Definitely frustrating things about each social media platform, and not every social media tool will be the right fit for you. Still, Facebook and Instagram are two of the most popular choices for birth and postpartum doulas and other holistic practitioners.

Why you should consider using both…

While I am in no way saying that you HAVE TO use both Instagram and Facebook, I do want to offer a few solid reasons to considering using both:

Social media helps you show up in search results.

Each social media platform that you create and use a profile on will help your website show up in search. Google looks for social media profiles as one way to measure your professional engagement. For this reason, be sure to include a link back to your website on your profile!

Social media helps your business grow.

Both facebook and instagram provide you with a platform on which to both share your content on pregnancy, birth, parenting, and holistic wellness. As well, you can follow conversation trends, glean ideas for future blog posts, giveaways, and even workshops or services.

As well, the Instagram and Facebook platforms can be easily integrated, with your Instagram posts appearing automatically in your facebook feed.

Facebook and Instagram offer different ways to build your brand.

Facebook is a great place to share the latest research, trends in birth, great birth stories or interesting articles. Facebook offers a way to share “curated” content with your clients – meaning the “best of” resources that you have discovered while cruising social media and the internet.

Instagram, in contrast, helps you build your brand identity with more of a blend of personal images intertwined with tips and reflections. It features original content created by you! As well, Instagram posts have been shown to generate more user interaction – likes and comments, likely in part due to the strong visual nature of posts.