How To Use Social Proof To Increase Your Bottom Line

In business the ultimate goal is to increase your bottom line.  Make more money, decrease costs.  Social proof can be a powerful tool to increase your bottom line by proving to customers that other people have already tried it and liked it… so they should too.   

What Is Social Proof? 

You may or may not have heard the term "social proof" being thrown around in the blogosphere or in your social media circles, but if you are like I was, I had NO idea what it really meant and more importantly why it even mattered to me or my business.  Wikipedia defines social proof as " a psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others reflect correct behavior for a given situation."

We love Wiki definitions but let us make this really simple for you: social proof is simply the mentality that is everybody is doing it, then it's probably a good thing to do.  Yes, it's exactly the mentality that if everyone jumps off a bridge, so would you.

Social proof is not good or bad necessarily, and it doesn't make those who feel validated in choosing to purchase a product or service a mere follower or robot.  It is simply human nature.  And more and more people are making purchasing decisions based on social proof.  So if you didn't know, now you know.  Your business is being affected by it whether you know what it is, care what it is, or actually take the time to use it to your advantage.

Is Social Proof Important To Your Business?

Yes! Social proof creates a buzz around your business, it creates a sense of trust, and makes newcomers feel validated in their purchasing decisions.  Learning how to use the trust and validation a consumer feels when there is social proof that your product or service is trusted and used by others is a great tool for building your brand through social media.

4 Easy Ways You Can Use Social Proof To Increase Your Bottom Line

1. Social media shares.  When you land on a web page and the first thing you see is that the article has been tweeted 154 times and shared on Facebook 250 times you immediately take notice.  You think, "this must be important".  Why?  Because through the social shares the article has received, you assume, because of the masses, that it must be important and therefore worth your time to read. If you have an article or landing page that has this kind of social proof that is also intended to sell a product or service then you can be assured that those counts are helping to validate that service for you.  People will be more likely to buy in to it because they will assume that the others who have visited the page did so also.

2.  Show the numbers. Tell people how many subscribers you have.  Let them know how many people have read your book and loved it.  Share with people who you ask to subscribe to your email list how many others are already benefiting from that service.

 Look at the example below from Copyblogger.  170,000 subscribers!  Um yes, please sign me up!  Because that's a lot of people and I must be missing something! This is what you want to create on your blog.  

3.  Show the results.  Testimonials and product reviews are golden.  Let people read what others have said about you, your product, or your service.  Consumers are savvy and want proof, this type of social proof is easy to deliver but packs the biggest punch.

Hotels.com gives you both a testimonial and reviews right under each hotel.  Great way to help consumers qualify their choice in hotel.  

4. Comments.  If you have a blog (which if you don't here are some tips on creating a blog that will get you started), don't underestimate the power of the comment section.  Grab a friend and agree to "break the ice" in each others' comment section of your blogs.  People are more likely to comment if there are already comments on the blog.  

Comments can also be powerful when the discussion turns too the actual product or service that you are selling.  You have built in testimonials right on your blog.  Make sure you are always asking for feedback.  

So these are the tips on social proof we have for you.  Why don't you help us out with our social proof eh'?  If you liked this post, please share it and spread the word.  And don't be shy, let's go ahead and break the ice.  Tell us what you think in the comments below.  

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