Once you’ve set up your Ayurvedic PCD franchise and have some sales coming in, the next step is to scale up and grow your business. Growth isn’t just about getting more customers – it’s about expanding smartly, improving efficiency, and maximizing your market potential. Here are 10 practical tips to help take your Ayurvedic PCD franchise to the next level in terms of sales and profitability:
In the Ayurvedic pharma business, doctors are key influencers for product sales. If you haven’t already, focus on building strong, trust-based relationships with Ayurvedic doctors, general physicians who appreciate herbal options, naturopaths, and even pharmacists who recommend OTC remedies.
How to deepen engagement:
Regularly visit them (e.g., monthly or bi-weekly) not just to take orders but to discuss patient feedback, new products, and provide any needed information. Consistency builds trust.
Provide value: Share printed or digital literature on the Ayurvedic ingredients and clinical benefits of your products (doctors love data and traditional references). If you can arrange small doctor meets or seminars with an Ayurvedic expert from your company, that can significantly boost your credibility.
Prompt service: Ensure doctors get samples or stocks quickly when they request. If a doctor feels you support their practice reliably, they’ll preferentially prescribe your brand.
Handle queries or complaints fast: If a practitioner has any concern or patient feedback (say a syrup flavor is too strong, etc.), convey it to your company and revert with a thoughtful answer. This shows you care about patient outcomes, not just sales.
Over time, a doctor who trusts you might start trying more of your range (increasing their prescriptions from just say a pain oil to also your liver tonic, multivitamin, etc.). Each such doctor can ramp up your sales significantly – so invest time in these relationships.
Don’t limit your marketing to just in-person interactions. Digital channels can amplify your reach even in a local market:
WhatsApp Marketing: Create a WhatsApp broadcast list of your retailers, doctors, and even interested consumers. Share new product updates, offers, and educational tidbits (“Did you know Ashwagandha can help reduce stress? Check out our product X…”). Keep it informative, not just salesy. Since WhatsApp is widely used in India, this keeps you on people’s radar.
Facebook and Instagram: Make a simple Facebook page or Instagram account for your distributorship/franchise. Post about your Ayurvedic products, share customer testimonials (with permission), and general Ayurvedic wellness tips. Boost a post locally if you have a retail component. This can attract end-users who may then ask local stores for your products (creating pull).
Local SEO: If you serve a city or region, list your business on Google My Business. When people search “Ayurvedic medicine distributor in [City]” or the product names, they might find you. Mention the brands you carry in the listing description for search relevance.
YouTube/Educational Content: If you’re comfortable, make short videos explaining the benefits of certain Ayurvedic remedies, with subtle mention of the products you carry. Educational marketing builds authority and indirectly can drive sales.
Remember, digital marketing’s goal isn’t to replace your field work but to complement it – reinforcing your brand presence in your area. It also gives your franchise a professional touch (people see an active Facebook page and trust you’re an established player).
An effective on-ground strategy to spur awareness is organizing or sponsoring local health camps or workshops:
Partner with Ayurvedic doctors or clinics to do a free health check-up camp or a “Dosha analysis” camp in your city. Supply some of your products as samples or trial packs during the camp. This puts your products directly in potential consumers’ hands under a professional’s recommendation.
Participate in local wellness fairs, yoga events, or community gatherings. Set up a small stall with your Ayurvedic product display and educational posters. Offer a free BMI check, blood pressure check, etc., to attract footfall, and then talk about relevant Ayurvedic solutions.
Conduct a workshop on Ayurveda for daily life at a local club, school or corporate office. You or an Ayurvedic practitioner can educate attendees on common issues (stress, immunity, digestion) and the Ayurvedic approach. Again, have your products showcased as examples of solutions.
Such events help in building your reputation as more than a seller – you become a health advisor in the community. They also often get covered informally in local press or social media, increasing your visibility. Plus, you’ll likely gain leads – people who experienced the products at the camp might come to buy later or ask their chemist for it.
As you gain confidence and market understanding, consider expanding the range of products you offer. If your franchisor launches new products, be among the first to introduce them in your area. New products can re-ignite interest among your existing clients and bring additional sales.
Also identify gaps: Suppose you notice many inquiries for an Ayurvedic diabetic supplement but your current company doesn’t have one. You might request them if one is in pipeline. If not, perhaps you could take an additional PCD franchise from another company specifically for that product category (if your current agreement allows multi-franchising). Many franchisees carry complementary companies to have a fuller basket (just ensure not to carry directly competing products from different companies as it can create conflict of interest).
By being a one-stop shop for a broad Ayurvedic range, you become more valuable to doctors and retailers: they prefer ordering from fewer suppliers. For instance, if initially you sold only medicines but later you also carry herbal cosmetics, a pharmacy may shift those purchases to you since they trust your supply – boom, your sales expand into a new segment.
Apply the 80/20 principle: often 20 percent of products generate 80 percent of sales. Identify which Ayurvedic products are hot sellers in your territory. It could be the pain relief oil, the liver tonic, or an immunity capsule. Once you know your hits:
Ensure consistent stock of those top items. Never let your fast-movers go out of stock; it’s better to slightly overstock them than to face a situation where demand is unmet (because that demand may then shift to an alternate brand).
Promote them further: These winners are your foot in the door. For example, if your pain balm is selling like hot cakes, push it widely – as more stores carry it, your volume rises and so does your profit. It can also help you introduce other products (“If you like our balm, try our ointment for arthritis too.”).
Meanwhile, evaluate the bottom 20 percent of products that barely sell. Don’t dedicate too much capital or energy on them. You might even discuss with your company about replacing some of those with other SKUs more suitable to your local demographic.
By maximizing the potential of fast-movers, you increase sales efficiency. It’s easier to grow something that’s already doing well by putting more fuel behind it, than to drag along a slow seller. Of course, continue to develop new products as earlier tip, but anchor your growth on the proven stars.
As you grow, ensure your distribution logistics can handle the expansion:
Efficient delivery: If you personally delivered initially, you might reach a point where you need a dedicated delivery person or tie-up with local courier for outskirt areas. Timely, reliable delivery keeps clients happy and willing to order more frequently.
Inventory management: Invest in a simple inventory tracking method (even if it’s a spreadsheet or billing software with stock management). This helps avoid stockouts or expiry losses. Regularly do stock audits. As your volume grows, these practices save money and headaches.
Credit control: Larger sales might tempt you to give longer credit to retailers to push more stock. Be very cautious with extending credit. Growing sales are great, but cash flow is king. It’s better to have slightly lower sales on cash than huge sales where money is stuck in the market. Develop a reputation for being firm yet fair with credit. For instance, you might have a policy: first 2 orders on cash, then 1 week credit on subsequent orders for pharmacies. Stick to your terms uniformly to avoid bad debts as you expand.
Geographical expansion: If you’ve saturated your initial town or district, consider expanding territory (with company’s permission). Maybe take on the neighboring district if available. Or if you were focusing only on Ayurveda doctors, perhaps target general practitioners or even veterinary clinics (some human herbal products like liver tonics are used by vets too!). Expanding your network strategically will incrementally boost business.
One often underused growth tool is feedback from end-users (patients/customers) and leveraging positive testimonials:
Encourage retailers or doctors to share any patient feedback on products with you. Collect success stories – e.g., a patient whose digestion improved with the herbal syrup, or a customer who got relief from knee pain with the oil. With permission, use these stories (anonymously if needed) in your marketing. “One of my customers in XYZ locality said her 10-year-old joint pain reduced significantly after 2 weeks on our Ayurvedic capsules.” Such testimonials build trust for new customers.
If someone is particularly happy, ask if they wouldn’t mind giving a short written or video testimonial. Even a simple quote and their first name, displayed on a brochure or social post, adds credibility.
Also listen to negative feedback carefully – it can guide you to either advise the company for product improvement or adjust how you recommend usage of a product. Showing that you care about results will also impress your clients (doctors appreciate when you follow up on how their patients responded).
By making your business customer-centric and result-oriented, you’ll naturally attract more business. Doctors will prescribe more if they consistently see good results and hear positive patient feedback for your products.
Pharmacies and health store retailers are crucial in selling OTC Ayurvedic products. To grow that channel:
Build rapport with store staff: Conduct brief training for pharmacists about your top products – what they do, who to recommend to. If they know a product well, they’ll be confident to suggest it to walk-in customers asking for say a “good chyawanprash” or “something for acidity.”
Schemes and offers: Work with your company to run occasional retailer schemes. For example, “Buy 5 get 1 free” schemes for retailers can motivate them to stock more. Or small bonuses like a gift on achieving X sales in a month. Some companies have these nationally; if not, you can locally fund a tiny incentive – like the pharmacy who sells the most of your digestive syrup in a quarter gets a gift (maybe a small appliance or vouchers). This gamification can spur their proactive selling of your products.
Ensure healthy retailer margin: If any product has tight margin for the retailer, see if you can adjust your margin a bit to give them an extra percent or two. When retailers make good profit on a brand, they naturally push it. It’s worth slightly sacrificing on one product if it means significantly better shelf positioning and recommendation from the seller.
Motivated retailers effectively become your secondary sales force. They’ll be upselling your Ayurvedic brand even when you’re not there – a powerful multiplier for growth.
The Ayurveda market can evolve – new competitors will come, customer preferences can shift (e.g., suddenly everyone wants herbal gummies instead of syrups). Stay agile:
Keep an eye on trends: If some new ingredient (like Giloy during COVID times) becomes the talk of the town, ensure you market the products containing it prominently, or request your company for a new product if demand is there.
Continuous learning: Read up on Ayurvedic knowledge, attend webinars or conferences if available. The more you know, the more authoritative you come off when selling.
Network with peers: If there are non-competing PCD franchisees (maybe handling other product ranges) in your city, network with them. Share experiences. Sometimes you pick up a tactic that worked for them which you can apply, or learn cautionary tales of mistakes to avoid.
Monitor competitors: Observe what other Ayurvedic or pharma companies’ reps are doing in your area. If a competitor is aggressively giving big schemes, you’ll know to differentiate via service or ask your company to counter with their scheme. Don’t operate in a silo – a growth-oriented business keeps ears to the ground.
Adapting quickly to market feedback and external changes will keep your growth trajectory upwards even as conditions change.
Finally, a timeless tip: great service leads to growth. In practical terms:
Always be reachable to your clients. If you miss a call, return it ASAP. Reliability builds loyalty.
Resolve issues promptly – whether it’s a short expiry batch that a retailer wants replaced, or a doctor who didn’t receive promised samples. Turn problems into opportunities to showcase your professionalism.
Go the extra mile occasionally – a rush delivery out of hours to a pharmacy that urgently needed stock, or helping a doctor source something you don’t carry (they’ll remember your helpfulness and repay with more business).
Politeness and integrity: Basic but crucial. A warm, honest approach makes people prefer dealing with you over others. For example, if a product is out of stock and you know it’ll take time, don’t overpromise; tell the truth and they’ll trust you more next time.
When you cultivate goodwill through service, you get referrals – a doctor tells a colleague about you, or a pharmacy chain gives you more stores to supply. That organic growth is priceless.
By implementing these tips, you create a positive cycle: better service and marketing increases demand, which increases sales, which gives you resources to further improve your reach and service. Consistent, incremental improvements in how you operate will, over time, lead to significant growth of your Ayurvedic PCD franchise business.
Q: I feel I’ve tapped out my current town’s potential. How do I decide when to expand territory?
A: First, ensure you really have saturated it: Are there still some doctors or stores you haven’t approached? If yes, do that first. If indeed you cover ~80 percent of the potential outlets and prescriptions in your area, and your growth has plateaued, expansion makes sense. Talk to your company – maybe the adjacent area is open or an underperforming franchise there could be transferred to you. When expanding, treat it like starting in a new area but with the advantage of experience and some brand presence if nearby. Ensure you have bandwidth (maybe hire one more salesperson) so that your original area’s service doesn’t drop; growth should be in addition, not at cost of existing business. Geographic expansion is a prime way to grow once you have a formula working in one area.
Q: How can I increase sales from existing customers (doctors/pharmacies) without seeming too pushy?
A: Use a consultative approach: with doctors, for example, discuss their practice needs. They might be prescribing a competitor’s Ayurvedic brand for something – if you have an equivalent, gently inquire if they’d be willing to try yours, highlighting any differences (better price, taste, etc.). Sometimes bundling helps: “Doctor, you’re prescribing our joint pain oil, did you know we also have an Ayurvedic bone health tablet? Some patients might benefit from both; I can leave samples.” With pharmacies, ensure they stock your full range, not just one or two products. Maybe incentivize them: “If you increase your order by 20 percent this month, I can give you an extra 2 percent discount.” Also, provide sales tips to the retailer – e.g., place my chyawanprash near the counter during winter – it might sell more. By helping them sell more, you sell more. It’s about being a partner in their business success, not just pushing products.
Q: What if demand suddenly spikes (due to seasonal illness or a competitor leaving the market)? How do I handle quick growth spurts?
A: That’s a good problem to have! Key is to capitalize fully: immediately inform your company and stock up sufficiently (don’t lose sales because of stock shortage). If it’s seasonal (like cough syrups spiking in monsoon), try to predict and stock in advance next time. Also, ensure quality isn’t compromised in rush – maintain service levels despite more orders. If you can temporarily hire help or dedicate more hours, do so to fulfill everything timely. Sudden demand spikes can also win you new permanent customers if you handle it well (for example, if another brand went out of stock and you filled the gap, those clients might stick to you thereafter if your product performed). After the spike, analyze if it’s a one-time or if it created a new baseline of higher demand. Adjust your business scale accordingly (it might be time to invest in a bigger storage or a vehicle, etc.). Essentially, ride the wave, don’t let it overwhelm you – prioritize key clients if necessary, and communicate clearly with any you have to delay. Good service under pressure will enhance your reputation greatly.
Whether you are a seasoned pharma distributor or a passionate entrepreneur entering Ayurvedic business, Elzac Herbal India provides the perfect platform to grow.
Related Articles:
Why Ayurvedic PCD Franchise is a Booming Opportunity in India
How to Start an Ayurvedic PCD Franchise in India: Step-by-Step Guide
Investment and Profitability: How Much Can You Earn from an Ayurvedic PCD Franchise?
Ayurvedic PCD Franchise vs Pharma Distributorship: Understanding the Differences
Choosing the Right Ayurvedic PCD Franchise Partner: Key Factors to Consider
