If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to take a breath, find a peaceful place and reevaluate your pharmacy’s marketing plan. You can generate a positive ROI (return on investment) if you carefully consider your options and always think strategy first then tactics.
We know you have been serving your community throughout the challenges of the current COVID-19 pandemic, but recognize as consumers begin to return to normal, they will be open to new options to help keep their family safe and healthy. This is a great opportunity to promote your independent pharmacy as the best option over the chains and big box pharmacies, so we’ve created a list of marketing ideas for your pharmacy in the midst of the current pandemic and beyond.
Nine Marketing Ideas for Your Pharmacy
1) Prioritize Your Existing Customers
Your best source of revenue is likely from your existing customers. You can send a newsletter, postcard, email blasts, or even call existing customers to inform them about any new products, services or special offers you have. This is a quick and inexpensive way to get a message out to people who already know about your business and who could be encouraged to buy from you again (Brand Loyalty). The Pharm Fresh Loyalty Club provides a simple and efficient way to stay in touch with some of your best customers. There are also text-based loyalty programs that use a customer facing tablet and generate automatic rewards, coupons and offers. Contact Pharm Fresh Media to discuss both of these great loyalty programs.
2) Maximize Your “Google My Business” Profile
When’s the last time you viewed and updated your Google profile? This is a perfect example of maximizing your demand fulfillment. You need to be sure your customers are getting current information about your business and it’s more imperative than ever to be posting regularly on Google My Business.
3) Design or Update Your Pharmacy’s Website
There are hundreds of thousands of searches for the term “pharmacy near me” every month on Google. Are you being found? Many independent pharmacies don’t have time to manage their current website and many others operate without a formal website at all. Having a well-designed and functioning website is important for your pharmacy’s overall presence and vital if your customers just moved to your area or are looking to refill their prescriptions online. Utilize Pharm Fresh Media’s web design capabilities to build a fully custom website for your pharmacy or take advantage of an economical and efficient Pharm Fresh Connect Site.
4) Utilize Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM®)
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM®) is a mailing program offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) where the postal carrier will deliver a mail piece to every address on a specific route without the need for a formal mailing list. As an added bonus, postage rates are discounted and can be as low as $0.154 per piece. This makes EDDM® a very affordable and effective way to reach the people in the neighborhoods surrounding your pharmacy.
5) Integrate Digital Marketing and Direct Mail
Informed Delivery® by the USPS is a consumer-facing feature offered that provides registered users with digital previews of their household mail arriving each day. Businesses can integrate digital campaign elements to enhance and extend the mail moment as well as drive traffic to your website or a specific landing page. You can learn more about Informed Delivery® here.
6) Add Your Brand to Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment will continue to be in high demand and necessary for the foreseeable future. Pharm Fresh Media can help add your pharmacy’s logo and branding to face masks, hand sanitizers, antibacterial wipes, and many other items. You can provide the items individually or in a care kit for employees and customers to stay safe and while still promoting your brand. Learn more about customized products here.
7) Increase or Improve Your Social Media Presence
During a period when people are spending more and more time on social media, increasing your pharmacy’s social media presence can provide many benefits. You can utilize social media to keep your customers informed or promote discussion about your different products and services with your followers. There are many different social media platforms and strategies you can implement to increase your brand awareness and brand loyalty.
8) Provide Free Delivery and Utilize Door Hangers
If you offer free delivery now is the time to shout it from the roof top. This is a very competitive service and considered valuable to those families who are wary of leaving their homes. Utilize door hangers to increase your presence and reach more people during your deliveries – hang 3 door hangers to the right of the primary delivery address you and 3 to the left. The message can read “We’re delivering for free to your neighbor and we would like to serve you as well.”
9) Don’t Be Afraid to Increase Your Marketing Budget
Many businesses and organizations will be cutting their marketing budgets due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This provides you with an opportunity to increase your pharmacy’s brand awareness and connect with more customers. At some point, consumers will flood back into the market after COVID-19, and it will be important for your pharmacy to be top-of-mind!
Let Us Help
Pharm Fresh is here to help independent pharmacies grow their business and thrive in a competitive and challenging marketplace. Contact us for a free, no obligation audit of your current marketing and ways that Pharm Fresh can help you stand out and reach more customers.
