As pharmacy owners, knowing your community is important – of course. But it’s equally crucial to the success of your business that your community knows you.
Community networking events can help independently-owned pharmacies with everything from marketing to staffing struggles to increasing loyal clientele.
Local businesses rely on the support of their community; and your community relies on you to fill in their gaps in knowledge with all things health-related.
Here are five major reasons why you don’t want to miss the next networking event in your town.
Nurture Advantageous Relationships
Networking events give you access to people you may not meet in other circles – socially or professionally. During these gatherings, you’ll meet other local business owners, customers, potential investors, or even potential partners who can cross-promote your pharmacy to their customer base.
At the same time, however, you don’t want to enter these events focused solely on what they can do for you. Pitching your business is a shortsighted goal.
Instead, play the long-game and focus on building authentic relationships with the pillars of your community – from office-holding leaders to baby-holding moms. Use these meetings as opportunities to make yourself known and available to your community.
The reputation you build within your community network can be far more beneficial to you than pitching you business.
Correct Misconceptions
When meeting people at community networking events, keep in mind that this may be the first time most people have met a pharmacy owner or pharmacist. Take the opportunity to educate them about your business and all that you do to support their health and wellness.
Many people make have misconceptions about pharmacy owners and pharmacies in general. Take the opportunity to share with them (briefly!) all the different ways you advocate for others’ health and support your customers.
Pharmacy Owners Educate, Always
One of the most important ways pharmacy owners can contribute to their communities is by educating consumers about the myriad options they have for improving their wellbeing.
The people you meet at these events can reciprocate useful information to you, as well. They can give you insight on what ailments are cropping up in the community, what is of most concern to parents and teachers, and how they hope their healthcare resources can help.
Use this opportunity to ask market research questions such as:
- Which pharmacy do you currently frequent?
- What do you like about your current pharmacy?
- What do you dislike?
- What would you change about your current pharmacy or the resources in the community?
Community networking events open new doors that allow you to gain direct insight into what people in your community desire in your pharmacy while they learn more about you and your services.
Easily Go Above & Beyond
Customer service has a massive influence on customer loyalty and profitability. Consider how you can take little steps and make small gestures to go above and beyond what your customers expect and what your competition is providing.
Making customer care and relationships a priority can prevent them from seeking another pharmacy. An Insight Advantage Group study estimated that it’s five times more expensive to gain a new customer than to retain an existing customer.
Most pharmacy owners don’t take the time to go out to community networking events. However, your presence can show potential customers how seriously you take your commitment to helping them.
Strengthen Your Reputation
Networking can help pharmacy owners achieve short- and long-term financial goals, while also shoring up your good name. In fact, reputation is one of the single most important factors in the longevity of a business.
Word-of-mouth is one of your most lucrative marketing tools and the potential of your word-of-mouth marketing is driven by the strength of your reputation.
Make yourself visible and available to people to give them an opportunity to see your strong character and integrity in action.
Doing so will give potential customers a clear juxtaposition of your independent pharmacy versus a big chain pharmacy. If you’re the one that people can recognize, count on for answers, and form an emotional bond with, your reputation will precede you in the best possible way.
In the competitive era of brick-and-mortar businesses, the pharmacy industry requires far more effort and finesse than it used to in order to succeed. However, appearing are community networking events can stretch your time and energy to have the most powerful impact.
If you know a pharmacy owner who would benefit from a stronger community reputation and customer base, share this article on social media. Then, sign up for our free membership program to enjoy even more tips and tricks for growing your independent pharmacy business.
Published with StoryChief