New Social Media Toolkit Shares Easy-to-Follow Tips, Best Practices for Social Media Success
DUBLIN, Ohio, April 4, 2011 — According to a recent study published by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, four in five internet users—59 percent of all US adults—use the internet to research critical health information. Furthermore, baby boomers represent the fastest growing demographic in terms of social media usage, with 47 percent of internet users aged 50-64 now actively using social media according to the AARP.
Recognizing these trends will soon mean a fundamental change in how independent pharmacies interact with their patients and market their businesses, Cardinal Health today released “The Independent Pharmacist’s Social Media Toolkit,” available exclusively to its independent retail pharmacy customers. The toolkit is the newest addition to Cardinal Health’s growing suite of customizable marketing tools, which empower independent pharmacists to build and market their own brand within their communities.
“While the use of social media by businesses has picked up in recent years, many of our customers are still unsure of how it can and should be leveraged to help their own marketing efforts,” Jay Williams, vice president of marketing strategy for Cardinal Health’s retail pharmacy business. “We’ve developed this toolkit—specifically geared toward independent pharmacy owners—to demystify the world of social media and offer helpful solutions they can use it to promote their businesses and connect with their patients and communities online.”
“The Independent Pharmacist’s Social Media Toolkit” offers independent pharmacists a wealth of practical information on how social media can be integrated into their pharmacy’s existing marketing and promotion efforts, including:
In addition to offering this resource to help establish a solid foundation for effective social media use, experts from Cardinal Health’s Local Store Marketing team can also help independent pharmacy customers develop a robust, customized social media presence as part of their broader marketing efforts. Independent pharmacies participating in the Local Store Marketing program are encouraged to leverage these experts to help their staff get involved in helping to build and maintain a strong and responsive social media presence.
“As an independent pharmacy owner who’s active in social media, I’m excited to see Cardinal Health reach out to fellow independents with such a timely and valuable resource,” said Jonathan Rider, owner of Fairmont, West Virginia-based Rider Pharmacy. “The tips and solutions in this toolkit, paired with the wealth of resources provided by Cardinal Health’s Local Store Marketing team, give independent pharmacies like us a competitive edge by offering a new way to build the personal customer relationships that make our businesses unique.”
“The Independent Pharmacist’s Social Media Toolkit” is exclusively available to Cardinal Health independent retail pharmacy customers. In addition to this latest offering, Cardinal Health offers customers a comprehensive suite of Local Store Marketing products and services tailored to their unique business needs, including one-on-one consultations, local demographic analyses, customized marketing/advertising plans and “The KIT” – a comprehensive line of fully customizable marketing materials which includes custom store Web sites, in-store radio broadcasts, custom TV/radio spots and outbound calling services.
About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $96 billion health care services company that improves the cost-effectiveness of health care. As the business behind health care, Cardinal Health helps pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices focus on patient care while reducing costs, improving efficiency and quality, and increasing profitability. Cardinal Health is an essential link in the health care supply chain, providing pharmaceuticals and medical products to more than 60,000 locations each day. The company is also a leading manufacturer of medical and surgical products, including gloves, surgical apparel and fluid management products. In addition, the company supports the growing diagnostic industry by supplying medical products to clinical laboratories and operating the nation's largest network of radiopharmacies that dispense products to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ranked #17 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 30,000 people worldwide. More information about the company may be found at cardinalhealth.com.
