A new pharmacy can be quite an exciting prospect for people in the area. They will compare your stock and service to existing pharmacies and will want to come visit you at least once. So, it is up to you to generate the right amount of hype around your pharmacy in the area. Here are a few local marketing tips to help you.
Leverage local SEO techniques
Local SEO marketing can help you rank high when people search for pharmacies in the area. So, you should work on improving your Google Business Profile, and check whether all the information there is correct.
In addition, enable ratings and reviews, so that people can leave you positive feedback. The more well-populated your page is, the better you will do with local SEO. Key aspects of this include your location, few pictures, and links to your website and social media pages.
Utilize attractive visuals
You need to make sure people are attracted to your business and your marketing material. Design attractive pharmacy posters and flyers to share around town and online before your launch. These should make your pharmacy look appealing, and the place to be.
In addition, your storefront should pull people in with its welcoming visuals. If you have a bright entrance with some nice window displays, people will be more likely to visit you. These will capture your audience’s attention, and get you more visitors.
Promote customer referrals and reviews
Local marketing depends a lot on word of mouth and reviews. People will get talking about your new pharmacy and recommend it to their friends and family. So, you should try and incentivize this behavior. Start a customer referral program, and give discounts or small freebies to people who send others to your pharmacy.
You should also enable reviews across all your platforms. Encourage your customers to leave positive reviews, and also respond to them in a professional manner. This will show you are listening to people’s feedback, and willing to make the relevant changes.
Host health-centric events
Hold a few fun events at your pharmacy to bring in more customers. These can be workshops about common health concerns, a product launch, panel discussions, and more. Plan these events a few weeks in advance, and market them around town. Put up posters, get people to sign up on social media, and give them deals and discounts on your products for attending.
This is a great way to establish your authority as a health business, and will help you build relationships within the community.
Offer free health screenings
Get medical experts to come in on selective days, and offer free health screenings. These screenings can include checking blood sugar, blood pressure, lung health, heart health, and more.
Let your audience know when you have these screenings, and ensure you have the relevant items stocked for them to take care of any issues. Make sure you have certified professionals on board for this, and do not conduct any tests that may have dubious or uncertain results.
Partner with local healthcare providers
Reach out to local clinics and hospitals, and partner with them to provide medicines and other medical equipment to patients. You can leave brochures and posters there, where people can see that they can approach you for their healthcare needs.
This works really well if you partner with doctors in the area, and they recommend your pharmacy to their customers. Make sure you are well-stocked and do get stocking recommendations from these healthcare providers as well.
Work with local media
Reach out to local media channels and newspapers to cover your pharmacy launch. Also have them highlight your business and talk about what you offer. You can also have local influencers and podcasters on board, and have them make videos at your premises.
This local media coverage will help you reach your community, and get in touch with your customer base.
Use direct mail
Old-fashioned snail mail is also effective when it comes to marketing your pharmacy in your neighborhood. So, design a few flyers, and put them in people’s mailboxes around town. You can also put them at their doorsteps, depending on the solicitation laws in your state.
You can put exclusive deals and discounts on these flyers, so that people don’t throw them away in the trash. Let people redeem these at your store, with proof of address.
Participate in the local community
Make a place for yourself in the local community. Participate in community events, and set up a health-centric kiosk. You can also have a representative sit at the first aid or medical bay and donate supplies for it.
This will show that you care about the community and want to contribute to the neighborhood. So, do take the opportunity to make a name for yourself around town.
In conclusion, there are many ways you can promote your new pharmacy in your neighborhood. These will help you become an integral part of the community.