When you have a limited marketing budget, it’s tempting to dump 100% of it into strategies that put instant green in your bank account. And trust me, I’m all about that “notification high” of seeing real-time purchases filling up your inbox. That’s why TrustWorkz utilizes tools like FetchRev to retarget existing customers, build email lists, and make it easy for people to buy when their interest is high. But as a content marketer, I know that there’s so much more to digital marketing.
Instant-purchase campaigns are the pizza to content marketing’s 5-star meal. Sure, pizza is delicious, curbs your hunger, and tastes twice as good delivered to your door when you’re watching Netflix in your pj’s, but if you manage your budget and research your options, dinner at a 5-star Michelin restaurant is going to be more satisfying in the long run (and involve some actual nutrients).
Social proof is your Michelin-rating.
What Is Social Proof and Why Does It Matter?
Let’s start with the basics: what exactly is social proof?
[Social proof is] a psychological and social phenomenon wherein people copy the actions of others in an attempt to undertake behavior in a given situation. — Wikipedia
Psychologically speaking, it’s simple: we trust others more than we trust ourselves. Before those nightmarish preteen flashbacks kick in, hold up. Social proof isn’t about being accepted by the in-crowd. (Whew!) It’s about listening to others when you don’t have the info. Pre-internet, that meant asking your neighbors who did their landscaping. In today’s digital world, it’s a little more complicated — but only a little. Social proof is user-generated content (UGC) like comments, shares, and reviews that influence other customers.
Basically, nothing beats word of mouth — even if it’s virtual!
2019 Social Proof Statistics
Before we get to our action items, let’s get the boring stuff out of the way. Social proof by the numbers:
- UGC on social media gets 28% higher engagement than business posts
- User-generated videos get 10x more views
- 85% of consumers find visual UGC more compelling that branded photos or videos
- People trust customer reviews 12x more than brand-generated content
- UGC accounts for 30% of the media Millennials consume
- 51% of Millennials trust UGC over in-person recommendations from family and friends
- 71% of Millennials feel better about choosing a business after reading customer reviews
Did I say “boring”? I meant “mind-blowing.” That’s some serious buying power! How can your business take advantage of all that user-generated goodness?
5 Ways to Make Social Proof Work for You
Social-proof is a low-cost way to build your brand’s reputation, which in turn builds sales. It doesn’t have the shiny ROI of instant-purchase tools like FetchRev, but if you do it right, you’ll develop a community of brand ambassadors who basically sell your brand for you.
If you’re not doing these five things, you’re missing out on the power of social proof.
1. Don’t Just Request Reviews — Earn Them!
Customer reviews are the easiest way to build social proof for your business. But to get a great review, you have to earn it. Impress your customers every step of the way and they’re more likely to (a) leave a review, and (b) recommend you to others. Once you’ve wowed them with an all-star experience, make it easy for them to share by sending a follow-up email with a review link.
2. Harness Local Star-Power to Build Your Brand
Hollywood A-listers aren’t the only ones with influence anymore. Local social media influencers can actually do more for your business than a major celebrity endorsement. That’s because influencers have created their own micro-communities built on trust and relatability. If you want a simple way to get people talking, reach out to a local mommy blogger, trendsetter, or Instagram celeb and ask if they’re willing to give you a shoutout in exchange for a free product or service. Just remember, you’re asking for an honest review, so get ready to blow them away!
3. Share Awards and Certifications
People want to know you’re qualified. They also love businesses who are locally connected. If your business has won an award for local excellence, earned industry certifications, or developed community partnerships, list those logos on your home page, stat!
4. Extra, Extra, Read All About It!
Did the local paper publish an article about your business? Were you featured on the local news? Did the college around the corner mention you as a great venue for a Greek Life event? If you’ve got it, flaunt it! Embed videos and link articles on your website to broadcast social proof that might otherwise get overlooked on customers’ ever-changing newsfeeds.
5. Yes, You Can DIY Social Proof
User-generated content performs better than branded content, but that doesn’t mean you can’t DIY social proof.
- Share statistics about your top-rated services
- Write case studies to show off business wins
- Ask your social community how you can improve and track your “gains” on social media
Need a quick fix?
- Record a video soundbyte of real-time testimonials
- Plan a “get to know you” social media campaign with mini-customer interviews
- Always, always retweet, share, and repost user-generated media on your own social pages (just don’t forget to @ mention the original poster — it will keep you out of hot water and build your social street cred)
Feeling overwhelmed? Call in the reinforcements! Our social media and reputation management teams are experts in cultivating social proof to build community and credibility for your business. Give us a call to learn more about social proof for local businesses.
