It’s a new year, which means you’re probably looking to find new ways to boost your pharmacy’s sales.
Sometimes your pharmacy’s marketing efforts or your product and service offerings can grow stale, putting your business in a slump.
Fortunately, the beginning of the year presents the perfect opportunity to start fresh and pursue other avenues that will help you reach patients and grow your sales.
Try implementing these seven ideas to increase your pharmacy’s sales this year.
1. Offer a new product or service
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season over, you can focus on exploring new product options to stock in your front end or offering a new patient-focused service.
Think about your patients’ needs to determine what new product or service would make sense to bring to your pharmacy.
For example, do you notice many of your patients have diabetes? If so, it may be beneficial to stock more skin care products, glucose products or a wider range of supplements that would appeal to patients with diabetes in your front end. You could also start offering blood glucose testing or hosting diabetes education classes.
Offering new products and services can potentially increase sales among current patients, and attract new patients as well.
2. Start a new marketing campaign
Could your pharmacy’s marketing use a refresh? This is the perfect time to switch things up by improving your branding or launching a new marketing campaign.
Consider having an expert review your brand to see if you can modernize your look or better focus your message.
Or, put your efforts into a certain area, such as growing your pharmacy’s email list. Offer patients an incentive, such as a coupon or free gift, when they sign up. The more email addresses you have, the more current—and potential—patients you can market to.
3. Host a contest on social media
Social media contests are becoming increasingly popular. It’s a great way to get your pharmacy’s name out there. Plus, everyone loves the chance to win something.
Host a contest on your Facebook page where patients can enter to win a special item or gift card to your pharmacy. It’s important that the item you give away is of enough value for patients to feel it’s worth taking the time to enter.
4. Thank your loyal patients
Everyone likes to feel appreciated. And, your patients deserve it.
If you have a loyalty rewards program, thank those patients by hosting a special event, sending them an exclusive coupon or giving out gift cards to use at your pharmacy.
If you don’t have a loyalty rewards program, consider starting one this year. Loyalty rewards programs make patients feel valued, which increases the likelihood of them becoming repeat visitors and referring your pharmacy to their friends and family members.
5. Improve online reviews
As an independent community pharmacy, potential patients are looking for reasons why they should choose your pharmacy over national chain and big box pharmacies.
And, when making the decision about which pharmacy to visit, many patients turn to online reviews.
Patients will be more likely to choose your pharmacy if you have an abundance of positive reviews. And, obtaining new patients can mean an increase in sales.
6. Focus on New Year’s resolutions
A new year means it’s time to try new things and set new goals. Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Now’s the time to bring them to fruition.
For example, is your goal for this year to focus on implementing—or improving—your medication therapy management (MTM) program? Or, do you plan to create a smartphone app for your pharmacy?
Start making a plan now to ensure you keep your New Year’s resolutions this year. Trying something new could ultimately end with a boost in sales.
7. Budget for the year ahead
You’ve probably conducted a year-end review of your pharmacy’s finances from the last year. But, have you used that information to plan a budget for this year?
Although creating a budget won’t notably increase your sales right away, it’ll help you optimize your marketing efforts and decide which products and services you can afford to spend money on, which has an effect on your bottom line.
Once you’ve created a budget, don’t forget to revise it throughout the year in order to stay on track.
Check out these simple tips to increase your pharmacy’s front-end sales.
