Studies show that consumers prefer to shop at local businesses, like your independent community pharmacy.
And, since people already like the idea of supporting small businesses in their communities, they may just need an extra push to become loyal customers at your pharmacy.
It’s not just about offering the right products or having knowledgeable staff, it’s about building relationships with people and emphasizing your status as a small, locally-owned business.
Check out these three ways you can encourage people to shop at your local, independent community pharmacy.
Share on social media
Your pharmacy’s social media pages are the perfect way to promote your independent community pharmacy as a local business.
Most people have a Facebook page or Twitter account, so use these platforms to your pharmacy’s advantage by highlighting the aspects that differentiate your pharmacy from national chain pharmacies.
When people feel a personal connection and are reminded that you’re a local business, they’ll be more inclined to visit your pharmacy.
Share photos, personal stories and bios about you and your employees on your social media sites, so that patients can really get to know your pharmacy.
Run Facebook ads
Consider running Facebook advertisements to reach more potential patients. Because of Facebook’s strict policies regarding the promotion of businesses, it’s difficult to ensure people see your posts unless you pay for them.
You can promote the same type of content in an advertisement, and patients will be more likely to view it since they’ll connect with your independent pharmacy’s message. You can also link your ads back to a specific webpage or blog post, giving patients an opportunity to learn more and further connect with your business.
Encourage positive reviews
Positive reviews go a long way, especially for locally-owned businesses.
When you have a lot of positive reviews, it showcases the positive effect your pharmacy has on the community, and increases the likelihood of people becoming loyal to your business.
Claim your pharmacy’s listing on review websites, such as Yelp and Google, and monitor reviews you receive on those sites as well as on your Facebook page.
Respond to positive reviews with a personal touch that shows your personality and how much you care about each person’s business. This will reinforce the fact that you are an independent pharmacy that truly cares about its patients and the community you all call home.
Offer promotions
Even though many patients are already more inclined to shop local, offering a promotion can seal the deal. Patients always value the opportunity to save money.
The promotion you offer doesn’t have to match up to national chain pharmacies; a small discount can go a long way.
Offer a 10 to 20 percent discount on certain over-the-counter (OTC) products and patient care services for new patients, or implement a loyalty rewards program.
Save the big discounts for the holiday season when there’s more competition, or during your pharmacy’s slower months when you need to bring in more patients.
If you need help planning promotions, discover how to create a pharmacy promotions calendar. (Plus, you’ll get a freebie calendar to download!)
Check out these four ways to show community support in your pharmacy’s front end.
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