Whether you are a novice blogger or
you have had a blog for some time but can’ t quite attract enough readership, try these tips for managing a successful blog for your pharmacy.
Whether you are a novice blogger or you have had a blog for some time but can’ t quite attract enough readership, try these six tips for managing a successful blog for your pharmacy.
Your store blog should be consistent with your brand. Just like print media, web content is an extension of your pharmacy’ s image and should consistently reflect your business’ core values as well as the products and services that set your pharmacy apart from others. Everything from the color palette, image design, page layout, and content should be consistent with the professional“ identity” that you wish to portray to your customers.
Your blog should be relevant to your audience. Who are your readers? Which groups are you writing for? Consider using categories and tags to differentiate between post content and call attention to a particular audience or perhaps create multiple blogs that target more specific audiences.
Create a blog that is user-friendly. Ideally, posts should have a title that draws the reader in and also informs them of the general content of the post. Keep your blog concise, and use visuals such as pictures, graphs, and video to increase the likelihood that your readers will read past the title. Use hyperlinks within your post to link to your sources and relevant external content. Consistent tags and image captions are also useful in increasing search engine optimization.
The success of a blog depends on timeliness. Keep your readers coming back with current, relevant content. Set a goal for yourself to post at least once per week. If you don’ t have time to update weekly, then delegate posts to“ guest bloggers.” This is an excellent way to draw upon expert knowledge( i. e., physicians, dietitians, veterinarians, etc.) in your community and to offer unique, applicable content to your readers. Also, with every new post, you increase your likelihood of appearing in Internet-wide searches.
Make your blog social. A blog is a virtual space where you can directly engage your customers while simultaneously shaping an“ identity” for your business. Your blog provides your patients with another avenue for direct communication and feedback. Unlike traditional media, your blog is a forum in which you can not only promote your business but also engage your customers in fun and educational ways. A blog is less of an advertisement and more of a hub where customers can go to learn, ask questions, and share experiences. And don’ t forget to market your blog in your e-newsletter or link your blog updates with Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites.
Last but not least, if you want to foster a dynamic and interactive blog, be sure to respond to your readers’ posts. Think of it this way, if a customer came into your pharmacy and asked a question, would you ignore them? Of course not! So treat your online readers just as you would if they were standing in front of you.
Say it with a blog by Sarah Harper