Introduction 

Congratulations on becoming a proud CareGLP storefront owner. By doing so you have joined CareValidate's mission of delivering the most convenient care to everyone on the planet. This guide contains all the tips and tricks that makes CareGLP storefront owners successful and helps them avoid expensive mistakes. 

The Quickest Path to 10k+ Patients 

1. Read up on GLP-1's

2. Find a gap in the market

3. Price your products competitively 

4. Share discount codes with your existing network

5. Turn social media influencers into affiliates 

6. Turn initial patients into affiliates 

7. Create and manage an online GLP-1 community 

8. Share social media posts for your storefront

9. Run paid advertisement campaigns

10. Track campaign performance 

1. Read up on GLP-1's  

GLP-1 is the abbreviation for glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone the human body naturally makes. It has receptors all over the body, but especially in the gut and the brain. After a meal,  GLP-1 tells the pancreas to release insulin and hold back on releasing glucagon—helping the body better process any sugars consumed. In the meantime, other GLP-1 receptors in the gut slow down how quickly the stomach empties, making one feel full faster. And GLP-1 also binds to receptors in the parts of the brain in charge of feeling full and satisfied. The result is the consumption of fewer calories, ultimately leading to sustained weight loss. While you do not have to be an expert in this new and exciting field of cardiometabolic medicine (you can leave that to CareGLP's board certified providers) to be a successful storefront owner, the reading list below will help you gain an advanced level understanding of the past, present and future of GLP-1's. Pro Tip: Ask ChatGPT to summarize any or all of the papers below to go through the reading list at a faster pace.  

2. Find a gap in the market 

Understanding your competition is crucial in developing a successful patient acquisition strategy. By analyzing what others in the market are doing, you can identify gaps and opportunities to differentiate your CareGLP storefront. You may be tempted to jump in without researching competitors or running a market evaluation. Please take the time to develop a good unique selling proposition and understand how you’ll provide value in a competitive market. 

"Successful direct-to-consumer healthcare brands typically set themselves apart through distinct value propositions such as competitive pricing, exceptional value, ease-of-use, ease-of-access, outstanding customer service, personal touch, category specific focus (health and care for: men, women, sports enthusiasts, local geography, nutrition conscious individuals, exercise conscious individuals, millennials, gen z ....) and a culture of genuine care and commitment" 

- Justin Lobdell, VP Marketing CareValidate Inc. 

Large DTC healthcare factories like HIMS and Ro will always be competitors, but don't forget to research smaller brands too as they generally deliver a higher quality of personalized care. 

Studying these competitors' approaches can provide valuable insights into their patient engagement tactics, marketing strategies, and product offerings, helping you refine your own methods and stand out in the marketplace. Pro Tip: As you review these competitors, please pay less attention to their website's look and feel and focus more on their messaging, launch stories and communication style as those are exponentially more important in the early days of patient acquisition. 

"Consider sharing your personal journey on your storefront, whatever your path has been to want to help people, as healthcare engagement and outcomes are generally correlated with trust."

- Jiten Chhabra, Chief Medical Officer CareValidate Inc. 

To understand patient needs deeply, consider joining multiple online GLP-1 support groups on platforms like Facebook to learn about first hand patient experiences, product offerings, patient’s questions and concerns. This also helps you stay informed about the trends in the weight loss community. Pro Tip: We cannot recommend this free step enough during the research phase. Try to join at least 3-4 groups / communities on different platforms before launching your storefront. 

3. Price your products competitively

Pricing the products listed in your CareGLP storefront is a vital step in your initial patient acquisition strategy. It should be carefully based on the market to ensure competitiveness and room for discounting. Generally, $249 is a very competitive launch price for Compounded Semaglutide, while $399 is a strong price point for Compounded Tirzepatide in 2024. To help you make informed decisions, you can use CareGLP Revenue Calculator to play with different combinations and calculate your margin with various list prices. This tool allows you to fine-tune your pricing strategy to maximize both patient acquisition and profitability.

ProTip: We do not recommend charging a fixed membership fee as it has consistently been associated with low NPS scores in our experience due to an increase in cancellation requests over time. 

4. Share discount codes with your existing network

One of the most effective strategies for initial patient acquisition is leveraging your existing network / email database / social media following. Whether you own a med spa, gym, private practice, pharmacy, e-commerce brand or another health and wellness related entity, you have a valuable pool of leads at your fingertips! With the right outreach and the right message, these existing connections can be quickly and effortlessly converted into recurring revenue. By making good use of your established relationships, you can accelerate your growth and build a robust initial patient base. Running promotions and sharing discount codes (printed on business cards or virtually) is an excellent way to attract and retain initial patients. As a storefront owner, you have the flexibility to run promotions at any time of the year, tailoring them to specific seasons, holidays, or patient needs. Distributing discount codes to your patients not only incentivizes them to start or continue their treatments but also fosters loyalty. This strategy can boost patient engagement and drive sustained growth for your storefront.

Example Email Template:

Subject: Boost Your Weight Loss Journey with [Storefront Name]

Hi [Customer Name]

Hope you're doing great. We have some exciting news to share that we think you'll love. We offer medical weight loss solutions in the form of injection or pills. Our compounded medications use the same active ingredients as the brand names Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro® and Zepbound®. You can learn more about these ingredients, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, here: [Your Storefront URL]

Results range from 10% - 25% weight loss over a 12 month period. This translates to 1.5-5 pounds a week depending on your starting weight. Exciting, right?! ?

We are available via phone/text at [Your Lead Generation Line]

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

[Storefront Name] Advocate #1,

[Your Name]

SignUp - [Storefront URL]

Community - [Community / Social URL]

Promo Codes Input Field on a CareGLP Storefront:

5. Turn social media influencers into affiliates  

As a storefront owner, you can create and share affiliate codes / links with social media influencers from the CareGLP platform. In order to recognize their traffic, your affiliates simply need to ask their followers to click on their affiliate link or enter their code during checkout to receive a discount. This collaborative approach not only supercharges your marketing efforts but also creates a win-win situation for both parties, driving growth and success for your storefront. 

Example affiliate credit to offer an influencer = $50 per patient that signs up with their affiliate code

Example patient discount = $75 off for the first order when an affiliate code is entered. 

In today's digital age, the power of social media cannot be overstated. Partnering with social media influencers will significantly amplify your reach. Influencers have the ability to connect with large, engaged audiences and can effectively promote your storefront through authentic and relatable content. By creating affiliate partnerships with influencers who align with your brand, you can leverage their influence to generate buzz, attract new patients, and build trust in your storefront. This modern marketing strategy harnesses the vast potential of social media to drive meaningful and impactful growth. We have put together an ever expanding list of GLP-1 social media influencers for your reference, ensuring you have access to the most relevant and impactful voices in the industry. This GLP Influencer List can be found here. Inside this board, the color of the card is the legend that indicates the platform that the influencer's on. Pro Tip: In your search for influencer affiliates try to find individuals with a medical backgrounds (MD, NP, RN, APP, PA) or those who have personal experience with GLP1's and more than 5000 followers on any one platform. 

Sample Email Pitch to a Social Media Influencer

Subject: Collaborate with Us: Exciting Opportunity for [Influencer Name] to Join Our Medical Weight Loss Launch!

Hey <influencer name>! 

How are you? I've been following you on Instagram and love the way you incorporate humor to talk about real, relatable scenarios for mamas balancing work, life, and weight loss.  Our team is working on launching new medical weight loss website and I wanted to swing through with a quick pitch for collaboration since we believe that your unique perspective aligns perfectly with our mission at <your storefront name>

We're launching a new website and support tool, <your storefront name>, that allows people to see physicians online and receive their medical weight loss drugs in the mail. Our goal is to <your mission statement> by providing <your unique selling proposition>. 

We believe that your platform as <influencer channel name> can play a big role in <your mission statement>. We would love for you to join our launch team and help us create content about <your storefront name> and encourage your audiences to start their own weight loss journeys with us. 

You can see the site here <your storefront url>, and we are targeting partner content to go live during the week of <target week here>.  We have an affiliate program for paid partnerships to help us with this launch! If you’re interested, can you share your rates for platform posts? We’d ideally love to sponsor a few posts over the course of the week of <target week> to maximize launch impact.

If you jump in as an <your storefront name> Champion, we’ll be able to give you a personalized link to share which will give us the ability to share back a customized report of your affiliate fees in real time. 

It's a quick timeline, but we'd love to work with you – hope to hear from you soon!

Best,

XX

Owner <your storefront name>

Follow us on social: 

Instagram: <your storefront insta url>

Twitter: <your storefront twitter url>

Facebook: <your storefront FB url>

Linkedin: <your storefront linked url>

6. Turn initial patients into affiliates 

Pro Tip: Turning initial patients acquired through discounting into affiliates to promote your storefront is one of the most effective growth hacks for this category. By doing so you can tap into their networks and leverage the power of word of mouth marketing. As a storefront owner, you can communicate with your patients and provide them affiliate codes to share with their friends and family and social networks. In order to recognize their traffic, your affiliate/patients simply need to ask their network to enter their referral code during checkout. This collaborative approach not only enhances your marketing efforts but also creates a win-win situation for both parties, driving growth and success for your storefront.

Sample Email Pitch to an existing patient

Subject Line: "Become an [Your Storefront Name] Affiliate: Share Your Success and Earn Rewards!"

Hi [Patient Name],

We hope this message finds you well! We’ve been thrilled to be part of your weight loss journey and wanted to reach out with an exciting opportunity.

As one of our valued early patients at [Your Storefront Name], you've experienced firsthand the benefits of our medical weight loss program. Your success and commitment have been truly inspiring, and we believe that your story could motivate others to start their own journeys.

That’s why we’re inviting you to become an [Your Storefront Name] Affiliate! By joining our affiliate program, you can share your experience with friends, family, and followers, all while earning rewards for every new patient who joins through your unique referral link.

Here’s how it works:

Sign Up: Join our affiliate program using the "Join Our Affiliate Program" link in the footer of our storefront.

Share Your Story: Use your personalized referral link to share your experience on social media, through email, or however you choose.

Earn Rewards: For every new patient who signs up through your link, you’ll earn [insert reward details here, e.g., a percentage of sales, flat fee, discounts on future purchases, etc.].

We’ll provide you with all the tools you need to succeed, including pre-written content, images, and tips on how to share your journey effectively. 

Why Become an Affiliate?

Inspire Others: Your story could be the motivation someone else needs to take the first step.

Earn While You Share: Turn your success into rewards, simply by spreading the word.

Be Part of Our Mission: Help us reach more people who can benefit from our services and support.

We’d love to have you on board as an [Your Storefront Name] Affiliate and can’t wait to see the impact you can make. If you’re interested, simply click the link below to get started.

[Sign Up Link]

Thank you again for trusting us with your weight loss journey. We’re excited about the possibility of working together to help even more people achieve their goals.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Storefront Name]

7. Create and manage an online GLP-1 community

Taking the initiative to create an online support group can be a game-changer for your patient acquisition strategy. By establishing a community on platforms like Facebook, you can foster a sense of belonging and provide valuable support to your patients. For instance, Orderly Wellness' Facebook Support Group for GLP-1 Medication - Semaglutide and Tirzepatide serves as a fantastic example. Such groups offer a space for patients to share experiences, ask questions, and receive encouragement, thereby enhancing their engagement and loyalty. This approach not only helps you connect with potential patients but also builds a strong, supportive network around your storefront. Links to different support group can be found in the table in section 2.

8. Share social media posts 

Sharing engaging and informative social media posts is a crucial component of your patient acquisition strategy. By regularly posting content that highlights the benefits of your products, shares success stories, or provides educational insights about GLP-1 medications, you can build awareness and attract potential patients. Additionally, we provide marketing materials for you to use, making it easier to create compelling posts and maintain a consistent and professional online presence.

9. Run paid advertisements

Running paid advertisements is a powerful way to boost your visibility and attract new patients. By investing in targeted ads on platforms like Google, Facebook, or Instagram, you can reach a broader audience and specifically target individuals interested in GLP-1 medications. Pro Tip: Ask our team about LegitScript certification for paid advertisements. 

Examples of paid advertisements online.

What type of information is required to complete the LegitScript Application: 

1.    What is your primary motivation to become LegitScript certified?

2.    Does your business process card-not-present (CNP) transactions? CNP transactions are transactions where the physical card is not present. This is sometimes referred to as "mobile order," "telephone order," or "MOTO."

3.    Please provide the name of each bank or payment provider through which your company has a merchant account.

4.    Please provide any merchant billing descriptor(s) your company uses. A merchant billing descriptor is the name your company shows up as on credit card statements.

5.    How long has your company been in business?

6.    How would you describe your company? Please select all the descriptions that apply:

7.    Please provide a short description of your business model.

8.    If your business opened a new location, closed a location, changed its business name or phone number, or changed its corporate registration within the last five years, please list all previous locations, business names, phone numbers, and corporate registrations.

9.    If you have a National Provider Identifier (NPI), please list it.

10.    Please upload a spreadsheet (use this template) with an overview of licensing or registration info that may include:

11.    If your business currently holds, plans to obtain, or canceled, or has lost any additional accreditation besides LegitScript certification, please provide a list and the status of each additional accreditation. Examples: VIPPS, .Pharmacy, VAWD, PCAB, URAC, etc. For each accreditation that you have lost, please clarify why.

12.    If you ever had a license, certification or accreditation application denied, please describe the circumstances. 

13.    For pharmacies only: How can PRESCRIBERS submit new prescriptions to your pharmacy?

14.    For pharmacies only: How can PATIENTS deliver new prescription orders to your pharmacy?

15.    For pharmacies only: How are PATIENTS able to receive their prescription medications from your pharmacy?

16.    If your company provides compounding services, please fill out our compounding addendum 

17.    For pharmacies: If you are partnered with any pharmacy facilitator platforms (including pharmacy brokers, aggregators, or facilitators, including any entity that processes or facilitates card-not-present transactions for your business), please provide the name(s) of these platforms.

18.    For pharmacies and telemedicine providers with an internet presence: Does your website display accurate names and contact information for the dispensing pharmacy, pharmacist, or physician(s) engaged in providing medical care?

19.    For telemedicine providers only: Do you offer a method for patients to contact the physician who prescribed the drug?

20.    For telemedicine providers only: Do you offer a method for patients to contact the physician who prescribed the drug?

21.    For telemedicine providers only: Are the identity and credentials of the prescribing physician disclosed to the patient prior to the provision of care?

22.    For telemedicine providers only: Please upload a spreadsheet (use this template ) to help us understand how your telemedicine practice complies with applicable laws and regulations. 

23.    For pharmacy facilitator platforms: Please provide the number of your current partner pharmacies

24.    For pharmacy facilitator platforms: Please explain how you ensure your partner pharmacies are currently licensed and in good standing. How do you monitor for updates regarding disciplinary actions? How do you monitor for license expirations and renewals? Please describe any additional due diligence procedures you have in place.

25.    If you offer your customers a mobile app, please list all corresponding app store links.

26.    If your company dispenses, administers, distributes, or manufactures controlled substances or any of your practitioners prescribe controlled substances, please describe how your company's operating procedures address and minimize the diversion or misuse of controlled substances. 

27.    Please upload any available audits or inspections for your company by pharmacy and drug safety regulators, including but not limited to, Boards of Pharmacy, Medical Boards, FDA , DEA, Joint Commission, DNV, etc. for the last five years. Please include any actions you took in response to the audit and any written follow-up or corrective action documentation that you submitted to the auditing entity.

28.    If your company, officers, or employees, including any manufacturer, wholesaler, pharmacy, its pharmacists, and any medical practitioner associated with your company, has been the subject of disciplinary action within the last five years, please describe the events related to the discipline and any corrective actions that have been put in place. Also, please upload any relevant documents. Disciplinary action is defined as any adverse or potentially adverse government or regulatory action related to an applicant's license(s); the dispensing, prescribing, promotion, or distribution of drugs; or the company or its officers. Disciplinary action shall be interpreted broadly and includes suspensions, probationary statuses, reprimands, warning letters, consent agreements, and any other similar regulatory communication from any regulatory agency.

29.    If your company has been subject to any fine or reprimand with regard to financial transaction within the last five years, including fines from the payments industry (e.g. Visa GBPP or MasterCard BRAM fines), or fines from regulators with regard to financial transactions (e.g. wire fraud), please describe the events related to the fine or reprimand and any corrective actions that have been put in place. Please also upload any relevant documents.

30.    If your company directly imports medication, please give a representative sample of the medications that are directly imported. Please also include the name, address and website for the company that supplies the medications.

31.    If your pharmacy acts as the contracted dispensing pharmacy for any other company, please provide the name, address, and website for each company.

32.    Please provide a list of your principals and officers.

33.    Please list all domain names that are owned or operated by your company or any of its principals. Please note: Failure to provide all domain names will result in a delay of your application.

34.    Please list all websites you would like to be considered for LegitScript Certification.  The LegitScript Certification Team will reach out to you if billing adjustments are required.

35.    Do any of your domain names use a privacy-protected domain name registration? If so, please remove the privacy protection.

36.    For each domain name for which you are seeking certification, please upload a screenshot that contains all of the following Whois information:

37.    If your business has any agreements where a party is compensated for referring business to your company, please provide the name of the party or affiliate network, and a URL if applicable. Example: Your company is associated with an affiliate marketing network.

38.    If your primary website is currently under construction or in a stage of development in which you anticipate significant changes in the near future, please describe when you anticipate the changes to be completed and when LegitScript will be able to review a version of this website before it is published. Please note: LegitScript cannot certify a website that is under construction or in an unfinished form, and this will delay the application process.

39.    If your website features an area where a patient or other user must sign in, please provide any necessary credentials LegitScript will need to access it.

40.    Does your website transmit protected health information, as defined by HIPAA?

41.    If your HIPAA Compliant Privacy Statement is available online, please provide a link to this document.

The CareValidate team provides a LegitScript Application Assistance package in which you will receive the answers to the questions above  if your storefront is using the CareGLP Pharmacy and Physician network. 

10. Track Campaign Performance 

Tracking your site traffic is a critical aspect of your patient acquisition strategy. By closely monitoring the flow of visitors to your website, you gain valuable insights into what’s working and what needs improvement. Analytics feedback allows you to see where your traffic is coming from, how visitors are interacting with your content... With this data in hand, you can make informed adjustments to your marketing campaigns, optimizing them for better performance and higher conversion rates. 

Below are some sample views if a Google Tag Manager/Analytics is plugged in for your storefront.

The image below shows the amount of users on your site, the average engagement time of the users, and the total revenue they bring in.

As you embark on this journey to attract and engage new patients, remember that each step in this playbook is designed to set you up for success. Embrace these strategies with enthusiasm and determination, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your patient acquisition goals. And don’t forget, at the heart of all this effort is our mission to help patients achieve their weight loss goals and improve their lives. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to me, Cindy, your Customer Success Manager, at cindy@carevalidate.com. I'm here to support you every step of the way. Here’s to your success and the growth of your practice!

Some before & after pictures from GLP-1 patients