Tip 286) Are you taking advantage of social proof?

For some reason, we believe that if everyone else is doing it, watching it, buying it or eating it, it must be good, right or true. Now, while the logical part of our brain knows this is not always the case, social proof is very persuasive.

​Social proof makes us more comfortable buying a product or service because we subconsciously believe that if everyone else is buying it - it must be good, right? 

Here are a few examples of where you may have already fallen for social proof as a reason to buy:

• You are wandering along the seafront looking for somewhere to eat. Two of the restaurants you pass are empty, and one is nearly full. Which one are you most likely to want to eat at?

• Web Tickers - Jo from Headley Park has just purchased this item. Well if Jo's just bought it – it must be good! 
• Celebrity endorsements. If my favourite actress is using it ...
• The McDonald's sign that says "over one million burgers sold."  One million people can't be wrong, can they? ;-)
• 20,523 followers on FB - they must know what they are talking about, right?  

12 ways to use social proof in your business:
1.     Testimonials. Use snippets in your social media posts. 
2.     Google/other site reviews and star ratings.
3.     Show your  number of social media followers.
4.     Case studies.
5.     Tell them how many of something you have sold.
6.     Bestsellers - tell them what your most popular product or service is.
7.     PR - get yourself in the media. 
8.     Have an expert or influencer endorse your product or service
9.     Using your customer's logos on your website. 
10.   Certification and badges from relevant governing bodies.
11.    Real-time stats – how many customers are viewing this right now.
12.    If you sell online – make sure you have the Verisign/Trust seal. 

All good, all the time...

Jo x