Globally Covid-19 has impacted the way businesses and public services interact with their customers and patients. Many have closed to the public, relying upon digital communication and e-commerce to remain connected.

Despite being able to remain open to the public, social distancing measures limit in-store seating areas, on site headcount and overall use of space. For many community pharmacies, this loss of space may be limiting opportunities to share information on relevant services or promotional offers.

Prior to the pandemic, many small community pharmacy owners may have opted against a digital presence. Relying upon in store communication and promotion to spread awareness, build relationships with and an understanding of the community’s needs.

Now however, with so many restrictions in place, it may be beneficial to reconsider not having a digital profile and connection with your community.

What can I do to reconnect?

Whilst in-store interaction is limited, creating and maintaining a social media business page can help your pharmacy remain connected and up to date.

Why use social media?

During 2020, an average of over 1.3 million new users joined social media every day, bringing the estimated number of users to 4.2 billion. It’s highly likely that some of your existing  and future customers have a social media presence.

Social media is often used to gather information, research, communicate and advertise. By creating a social media profile for your pharmacy, you’re helping potential customers and patients find you and learn about the services you offer. You also create a platform that keeps existing customers and patients up to date.

Social media allows you to have a cost-effective online presence. It’s free to sign up to all popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. If you do choose to set up monetised adverts, you can set your own budgets and post adverts on an ad-hoc basis.

Creating a social media platform allows you to keep in touch with and be part of the conversation in your community.

What can a social media presence help with?

On setting up a business page or group you’re able to advertise your services, along with any updates or changes to them. You can also connect with other nearby businesses and public services to network and share information.

As we’re unable to meet in group settings, many are now actively networking and sharing information via online groups. Facebook groups in particular are a popular place for community networking. In October 2020, Facebook revealed that a further 4 billion profiles were using groups daily in comparison to October 2019. Social media profiles and pages are able to post to and share information amongst already established community groups.Along with giving updates and networking, social media can be a great way for pharmacists to share their knowledge and expertise.

Use your MedPoint Toolkit

Existing MedPoint customers can also use a social media presence to share further information and suggested content from their marketing toolkit.