Check Out How to Use Social Proof to Your Advantage
If you really have no clue what the concept of social proof is all about, let’s define it right now. Social proof is the idea that people will shape and conform their ideas and beliefs to the prevailing wisdom of the crowd, as long as it is believable.
This immensely popular and powerful tactic is admittedly very appealing. Getting large numbers of people to cast votes in your favor, merely by virtue of what they like or follow is a notion no marketer could let pass idly by.
There are lots of ways to use social proof, for the time being let’s consider 5 different types, and let you begin to think of how you might use them in your business.
5 Amazing types of social proof
Celebrity – No doubt if you can get a celebrity endorsement or testimonial, you have something quite valuable. These work best when the person in question is either extremely likable or somewhat controversial.
Everyone else on the planet has it – The fear of missing out on something you’ve just told them they need, because 15,494 of others like them have just gotten one, is a powerful tonic.
Expert social proof – There’s something about placing your trust in someone who has been through it, or is viewed as an authority or expert on the subject that conveys just enough trust to get people to buy into the offer. This is where the term “influencer” comes from, and is a powerful technique in sales these days.
User generated – Having your customers leave unsolicited reviews is something that happens frequently. (And much more often if you encourage the practice!) It’s what you do with these that counts. Visitors to your page often see this as the tipping point because these “testimonials” carry an air of authenticity that a paid endorsement and other social proof only wish it had.
Friends influence – When products or services come recommended by our friends, we give it a bit more legitimacy than we otherwise might. This is why the number of friends and followers a person has does have some real value.