The supplement industry in the United States is worth $122 billion, and it only seems to be growing.

Why is it that so many people are turning to natural supplements to improve their health? And, are these supplements actually helping people?

Read on to learn more about the rise of natural supplements in the U.S.

What are Natural Supplements?

If you’ve ever set foot in a grocery or drug store, you’ve likely come across a shelf (or several shelves) of natural dietary supplements.

There are myriad products that fall under the natural supplement umbrella, including:

• Multivitamins
• Individual vitamin and mineral supplements
• Amino acids
• Protein supplements
• Herbal supplements

These supplements come in a variety of forms, including pills, powders, liquids, tinctures, and capsules.

Who Uses Natural Supplements?

People of all ages take natural supplements on a regular basis. But, they appear to be the most popular among adults over the age of 55.

In fact, 62% of people in this group consider themselves to be “regular supplement users.”

Fifty percent of adults aged 35-54 use supplements on a regular basis, as do 48% of adults aged 18-34.

Which Supplements are the Most Popular?

Multivitamins are the most popular supplement. Seventy-five percent of supplement users take them regularly.

Vitamin D is also popular (consumed by 37% of supplement users), followed by vitamin C (34%), calcium (29%), and vitamin B or a vitamin B complex (24%).

Why Do They Take Them?

There are lots of reasons why people in all age groups rely on supplements. But, some of the most popular reasons are to:

• Enhance overall health and wellness
• Fill nutrient gaps in their diets
• Increase energy levels

Enhancing overall health and filling nutrient gaps have historically been the primary reasons behind supplementation. Recently, though, more people are taking supplements to increase their energy than to fill nutrient gaps.

The fact that Americans seem to be working more than ever before might explain their need to boost their energy levels to get themselves through the day.

Trust In Supplements is Increasing, Too

Not only is the usage of natural supplements increase, but people’s trust in them is increasing, too.

The majority of all Americans (85%), generally speaking, have confidence in the quality, effectiveness, and safety of dietary supplements. Supplement users are even more confident. In fact, 96% of them are confident in the supplements they take.

Seventy-three percent of Americans also perceive the dietary supplement industry as a whole to be trustworthy.

Tips for Effectively Marketing Your Supplement Brand

Americans clearly have a significant reliance on supplements. And, they generally have quite a bit of trust in the supplement industry.

With these two facts in mind, it’s no wonder so many different companies are making and selling natural supplements.

The supplement industry is pretty saturated, but that doesn’t mean there’s no more room for other businesses to get involved.

If you’re interested in selling natural supplements, these tips can help you market your products effectively and set yourself apart from other brands:

Identify Your Target Market

As with any other product, when you first start planning to sell supplements, you need to take the time to identify your target market. Figure out whom you’re going to market your product to and where they tend to spend most of their time.

It can be challenging to identify your target market initially. But, figuring out the answers to these questions can help simplify the process:

• What unites them? (age, profession, dietary needs, health issues, etc.)
• What needs are not being fulfilled? (e.g., lack of plant-based products)
• Where do they shop? (online, health food stores, at their doctor’s office, etc.)
• Where do they get their information? (blogs, social media, magazines, specific websites, trade publications, etc.)

Ideally, you’ll be able to answer these questions in one sentence or less.

Be an Educational Resource

One of the best ways to get the word out about your supplement brand is to establish your company as an educational resource.

If you can build trust among your target audience and convince them that you have the answers to their questions and solutions to their problems, they’ll be more likely to buy supplements from you later on.

Use Social Media Effectively

These days, social media is one of the most powerful advertising tools. If you want to spread the word about your brand quickly, a strong social media marketing strategy is essential.

Some of the most popular platforms of supplement advertising include Facebook, Instagram, a Twitter. Share helpful, eye-catching content on a consistent basis to make people aware of your brand and engage with potential customers.

Consider an Affiliate Program

An affiliate program pays bloggers and website owners a small percentage of sales in exchange for promotion of your product. This can be a great way to increase awareness of your brand and get people interested in your supplements.

Many people find out about new products from their favorite bloggers and influencers. If you can get in touch with the right influencers, you can grow your business much faster.

Utilize Video Marketing

Video marketing is another great tool that can help you get your brand and products in front of more eyes. In fact, YouTube is the second biggest search engine on the internet.

Use YouTube for promotional videos, educational videos, and other content that can get people interested in your products.

Invest in Third-Party Testing

Finally, consider investing in third-party testing. Supplement makers are not required by law to test their products for purity and safety.

If you go the extra mile and pay for third-party testing, customers will be more likely to trust your brand and choose your products over those from other brands.

Want to Learn More about the Natural Supplement Industry?

The supplement industry hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.

If you want to jump on the bandwagon, this is good. Now’s your chance to start creating a great product and increase your income.

If you do decide to get involved in the supplement industry, be sure to keep these supplement marketing tips in mind.

If you need help packaging or manufacturing your natural supplements, we can help at Biovation Labs. Contact us today to learn more about our services and what we can do for you.