What I Wasted Money On in My Hypnobirthing Business (and what I didn’t)

Running a hypnobirthing business is one of the greatest adventures you can go on but it’s not all wins. Some of the lessons I’ve learned came with a price tag and I want to share them here so that maybe you can learn from my experience without having to make the same mistakes.

So, let’s dive into my worst investments I’ve made in my hypnobirthing business and the best ones too.

 The Worst Investments I’ve Made

1/ Throwing Money at Google Ads Without Knowing What I Was Doing

I once spent hundreds of pounds on Google Ads because I thought, “If I pay, I’ll be at the top of search results and I’ll get more clients for my hypnobirthing business.” Simple, right? Wrong.

I had no clue how to run a successful ad campaign. I didn’t know how to measure what was working or if anything was working at all. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t see a meaningful increase in bookings.

Let me be clear Google Ads are not a waste of money. But I wasted my money because I didn’t understand how to use them effectively. Google Ads can absolutely skyrocket a hypnobirthing business when they’re used well with proper targeting. I just wasn’t there yet. I thought money alone would solve the problem and it didn’t.

2/ Buying Courses Out of FOMO

I once paid £1,200 for a course on getting clients through Instagram. Why? Because I saw a competitor doing it and got hit with a wave of panic and FOMO.

I convinced myself that if I didn’t take this course, I’d fall behind. I also got completely swept up in powerful marketing. But once I was in the course, I knew deep down this wasn’t what I needed.

Yes, the content was valuable. But it made me feel completely overwhelmed and out of alignment with how I wanted to run my hypnobirthing business. I didn’t want to be spending hours a week on social media so all the tips and strategies were pretty useless to me.

Lesson learned- Never invest from a place of fear!

3/ Overspending on Client Goodie Bags

For a while, I was spending a lot on gifts and goodie bags for my hypnobirthing clients. I told myself it was to “enhance their experience,” but deep down, I think I was trying to prove my worth by over delivering.

The thing is my clients weren’t booking me for an eye mask and a bag of tea lights. They were booking me for my knowledge and the transformation I offer. The goodie bags probably ended up the back of a cupboard somewhere.

Now, I’m not saying never give anything extra to your clients, just make sure it’s intentional. Know that you are the gift. That’s what they’re investing in and that’s enough.

The Best Investments I’ve Made

Now, onto the good stuff. These are the investments that have truly helped me grow and make more money.

1/ Tech That Saves Me Time (and Sanity)

Early on I started using Ticket Tailor to manage bookings for my group Hypnobirthing courses. Yes, it came with a small cost, but it saved me hours of admin and hassle.

Before that, I was manually collecting payments, sending bank details, chasing emails etc. It wasn’t just time-consuming; it was probably losing me bookings because it made things harder for my clients.

Sometimes the best investments are simple: if it saves you time, it gives you capacity to focus on the parts of your hypnobirthing business that actually makes you money.

2/ Coaching and Mentoring- With the Right Person at the Right Time

Coaching/mentoring has been game-changing for me, but only when I’ve been intentional about it.

When I’ve worked with someone who truly understands the area I want to grow or who’s just a few steps ahead of me on a similar path, it’s made a huge impact. But I’ve also seen how coaching can flop when it’s bought from a place of confusion or hoping someone else has all the answers.

When the timing is right and the person is right, mentoring is priceless. Not because it gives you a silver bullet, but because it gives you support, accountability and clarity.

3/ Branding Photography That Shows the Real Me

Investing in professional branding photography  was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It elevated my website and social media, and gave me a bank of visual content could use over and over again.

As hypnobirthing business owners we are the face of what we offer. When people see us, they connect with us and trust is built so much faster than with a faceless brand.

I did my first branding shoot in 2017, two years into my hypnobirthing business. If I could go back, I’d do it even sooner. Honestly, I wish I’d skipped paying for a logo and gone straight to professional photos!

4/ Admin Support- Outsourcing the Energy-Suckers

For a long time, I thought admin support was for “bigger” hypnobirthing businesses. I didn’t realise that even in the early stages, outsourcing small tasks could completely free up my time and focus.

The first time I hired a VA, I needed help uploading social media content. What would’ve taken me days (and a million meltdowns), she did in just four hours. It was worth every penny.

Admin support gives me more time to teach and be present with clients- the stuff that I love and actually brings in the money.

Now lovely, every hypnobirthing instructor makes mistakes at times. We invest in things that don’t pan out. But each one teaches us something. The key is learning from them and making more informed choices moving forward.

So, if you’ve ever wasted money on an ad, a course or a fancy client gift, you’re not alone. And if you’re wondering what is worth investing in? Start with what helps you serve better, show up more fully and focus on what you do best.

Because YOU are the magic in your hypnobirthing business and the right investments will support you in shining even brighter.

Want more advice on growing your own hypnobirthing business? List to Rock-a-Bye Revenue, my podcast for Hypnobirthing teachers and aspiring Hypnobirthing who want more income and impact.

Find your place to listen here- www.loveyourbirthtraining.com/podcast