Discover how to harness the potential of ChatGPT for advanced keyword research in SEO with our comprehensive guide.
Social proof is defined as the influence that the actions and attitudes of the people around us (either in real life or online) have on our own behavior.
Social proof was first popularised by Robert Cialdini in his 1984 book Influence. You can read a bit more about Cialdini in our article on How To Be Persuasive On Your Blog.
In today's article, we'll explain how you can use Cialdini's concept to show prospective customers that you and your business can be trusted.
Cialdini noticed that people are extremely swayed by what everyone else is doing (or saying). We are naturally "herd" animals, and we look to the crowd to give us cues as to what to believe.
Advertisers have known this for many years. It's why they are happy to pay celebrities millions of pounds to drive their cars or wear their watches. It's also why you often hear marketing slogans which are designed to trigger social proof reactions:
The whole point of social proof is to follow the rule: show don't tell. Marketing experts will always tell you that if a customer can see something, they are more likely to be persuaded than if you just tell them. Talk is cheap.
By using social proof, you "show" your popularity, your quality, your trustworthiness. After all, you're just reporting how other people feel about your brand. You're not bragging. It's your customers who say you're the best.
Right? Not quite!
You still need to remember to "show" rather than "tell", even in the context of social proof. The two best ways to do this are case studies and testimonials.
Case studies are a great addition to your website. They offer a range of benefits:
The key to effective case studies is to tell the truth. Don't paint a rose-tinted, fantasy picture of the project. Admit when things went wrong (and how you handled it). Refer to tricky aspects of the brief. Let the reader know when you were forced to pivot or change direction.
A great case study allows readers to imagine themselves working with you. Try to write in your own voice (except when quoting customer feedback). Talk about your own experiences with the project.
According to Big Commerce, 72% of customers say that positive testimonials and reviews increase their trust in a business.
They are the ultimate "show" sales technique. Not only are you showing that your customers love you, they are using their own words. It's the online equivalent of the holy grail of marketing - word of mouth.
If you want to be even more persuasive, don't worry if you have a couple of bad reviews in there. A string of 5* reviews just looks suspect. And you can use a negative review to respond with your thoughts and apologies. This shows you are on the ball and take client feedback seriously.
If you'd like to discuss how to generate social proof for your business, please get in touch.
Discover how to harness the potential of ChatGPT for advanced keyword research in SEO with our comprehensive guide.
Explore the latest Google advancements in YouTube Shorts advertising! Discover how Google is boosting brand visibility and addressing revenue challenges.
Learn how to effectively manage your WordPress website's email services for optimal performance. Explore the three methods of sending emails in WordPress
Explore the art of monitoring and optimising your website's performance. Discover dedicated tools to prevent downtime, enhance user experience, and meet Google's performance standards.
Discover the revolutionary shift in Google's search landscape with Project Magi! This upcoming AI-powered search experience makes some big promises!
Discover essential tips to fortify your WordPress website's security. Safeguard your site with expert advice in this comprehensive guide
Mastering WordPress Maintenance Plans: Organize your website tasks efficiently, from backups to plugin updates.
Discover expert solutions for the most common WordPress errors and streamline your website management.
Master the art of WordPress website management with our expert tips! Learn how to streamline maintenance, boost performance, and enhance security