How to overcome pharma marketing challenges with explainer videos
Written by Tim Moss | November
1, 2023
Pharmaceutical marketing is a complex and highly demanding field. Regulatory and compliance requirements, the need to simplify scientific information, and addressing the diverse needs and expectations of various stakeholders such as physicians, patients, and other healthcare professionals, all present significant challenges.
In this article you will learn how explainer videos can help you overcome these challenges and create engaging and informative content for your target audience. Explainer videos are short and animated videos that explain a topic or a product in a simple and entertaining way. They use visual and auditory elements to convey the message in a clear and concise manner. They can:
Help you simplify complex scientific information, by using simple language, metaphors, analogies, and illustrations to make it easier for your audience to understand.
Help you address the diverse needs and expectations of your stakeholders, by tailoring your videos to different segment and using different styles, formats, and channels to suit their preferences.
Read on to find out more!
1. Legal regulations and compliance requirements: The pharmaceutical industry is subject to strict regulatory and compliance requirements. Advertising for prescription drugs and healthcare products must meet the highest standards to ensure patient safety. This creates a complex and challenging marketing environment.
Explainer videos can help ensure that strict regulatory and compliance requirements are met.
2. Complex scientific information: Pharmaceutical products are often complex and based on advanced scientific knowledge. Communicating this information in an understandable way to different audiences can be a significant challenge.
Explainer videos can make complex scientific information easy to understand and appeal to different audiences:
Visualization: Using visualizations, graphics, and animation, explainer videos can illustrate abstract scientific concepts and medical information. This makes it easier for non-experts to understand.
Step-by-step explanations: Explainer videos can present information in easy-to-digest steps, allowing viewers to absorb the content gradually rather than being overwhelmed by a barrage of complex information.
Target group-specific adaptation: Explainer videos can be easily customized for different audiences. As a result, they can provide valuable insights into complex scientific topics for non-experts and experts.
3. Unique product requirements : The pharmaceutical industry includes both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) products. The marketing requirements and types of communication in these two sectors are often very different. Explainer videos can provide valuable support in both the OTC and Rx segments of pharmaceutical marketing when they consider the specific needs and differences.
In the OTC area, the audience consists mainly of consumers who have the power to purchase these products without the approval of their healthcare providers.
In the Rx area the audience is often made up of healthcare professionals such as doctors and pharmacists.
1. Identify your message and the audience
Are your videos target to OTC or Rx customers? A clear definition of your target audience is the foundation of your video’s success. It helps you choose the right tone, the right messages, and the right style. In addition, you should think carefully about what key information you want your audience to take away from the video. Thinking about this will help make your video effective and relevant.
An explainer video should have a clear and logical structure consisting of an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should address the problem or question your video is trying to solve or answer. The body should present the solution or answer with examples, facts, or arguments. The conclusion should include a summary or call to action that motivates viewers to take action. Keep your video short and to the point. An explainer video should be no longer than 2 minutes to keep viewers’ attention. Try to focus on the essentials and avoid unnecessary detail or repetition.
3. Publication and distribution of the video
For prescription Rx products, focus on professionals such as physicians, pharmacists, or hospital staff. Use explainer videos to demonstrate the efficacy, safety, and use of your products. You can distribute those explainer videos via online platforms such as specialist portals, webinars, e-learning systems or email marketing. For over-the-counter (OTC) products, you should focus on the end user, such as patients or customers. You can use explainer videos to explain the benefits, features, and differentiators of your products, as well as tell emotional stories or testimonials. You can distribute explainer videos through online platforms such as social media, YouTube, websites, or blogs.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your explainer videos effectively address pharmaceutical marketing challenges and produce positive results.