Social proof is the 2020 version of street credibility. It’s hard – dare we say impossible, to operate as a business and not have some sort of presence on Facebook, Linkedin and Google My Business. If your company doesn’t have a website or Instagram profile, does it really exist?
Digital platforms are here to stay. It’s about time for you to start leveraging their full potential and start building social proof by integrating them into your marketing strategy.
In this post, we’ll discuss what role social proof plays in customer relationship marketing and how your business can benefit from social currency. We’ll also share basic social proofing tactics that will get you off the ground and running in no time. And there’s more:
What is social proof?
Social proof, a term coined in a 1984 study, is a social and psychological phenomenon. Researchers found that individuals tend to copy other people’s behaviour when they themselves are uncertain of what is the correct way to think or behave. This can affect the choices we make in life and our personal preferences, because we choose to conform rather than following our own intuition. And yes, it also affects our purchase decisions.
“As customers we buy products that make us feel good about ourselves, products that change us and make us better. By using social proof in the form of testimonials, reviews and trust icons [companies are] helping customers make a decision, feel confident about their choice, and a part of something bigger.” Talia Wolf, from GetUplift