A hash what? The lingo on Twitter can be like learning another language for new users of the social media platform. But once you do learn it, you can utilize Twitter’s unique features to market your pharmacy business and get a noticeable ROI. The hashtag is one way to get there.
You can attach a hashtag, or a concentrated word or phrase preceded by the “#” symbol, to any of your tweets. Usually the hashtag works as a keyword in your tweet, or you can think of it as the theme of your tweet. For example, “My son got a new drum set for his birthday. #headache”
Hashtags can be quirky or just for fun, but they also have practical uses.
Your pharmacy can use hashtags as a way to expand the reach of your tweets. If another user clicks on the automatically generated link that goes with a hashtag (or searches for the hashtag,) a list of similarly themed tweets with that hashtag will appear, including yours.
For example if you tweet, “Do you suffer from joint pain? We now offer a pain-relieving cream that could help. #arthritis” Anyone who clicks on the hashtag #arthritis or searches for “arthritis” can potentially see your tweet.
Keep in mind that when users view a list of tweets with the same hashtag, the list displays the newest tweets to the oldest. Eventually (or very quickly) your tweet will disappear from the list as more users post tweets using the same hashtag. So update your Twitter and update often!
How else can I use a hashtag?
Hashtags can do a lot more for your pharmacy than just expand the reach of your tweets. They can also help you interact with your current and potential customers (or in Twitter-speak, your followers.) Here’s how:
Inform about events
Is your pharmacy hosting a series of diabetes education classes? Keep your followers up to date on the happenings of the event by creating an original hashtag specifically for that event. For example, #DodgeRxDiabetes. Then, anytime you post information about your diabetes education classes, use that hashtag. The hashtag will allow your followers to find all of the information about that event in one location. “Live tweeting,” or posting updates as the event happens is also a popular way to interact with followers.
Send traffic to your website
Hashtags function as keywords. You can use your hashtags to boost traffic to your pharmacy’s website with these “keywords”. Whenever you use your tweets to link to information, such as a blog post, on your website, include a relevant keyword as a hashtag.
For example, “You can transfer your #prescription to our #pharmacy using our website: http://ow.ly/website.” In this tweet “prescription” and “pharmacy” function as keywords.
Using keywords as hashtags when you link to your website will help bump up your website in search engine rankings. This means when Internet users search for key terms on search engines, like Google, your pharmacy’s website will appear closer to the top of the page of results.
Host Twitter chats
Have you noticed that patients are interested in a specific health issue or that they ask questions about a certain medication? Host a Twitter chat to inform your patients and others about popular health topics.
Simply set a time (it can be as short as 30 minutes out of your day) to hold the chat. Determine an original hashtag to go along with the chat such as, #diabeteschat. Then, encourage your Twitter followers to join the chat before it happens. Don’t forget to inform your patients when they come into your pharmacy as well. Also, promote the chat on your Facebook page and website.
Other useful tidbits
You can also use hashtags to stay up to date on current pharmacy topics and news. Just search for the information you’re interested in through a hashtag, such as #drugrecalls and you’ll see any tweets posted with that hashtag.
And remember, #peppering #your #posts #with #too #many #hashtags #gets #obnoxious. So, limit your hashtags to one or two per tweet.
