social proofLet’s face it, we’ve all used the recommendation of others to help us make a decision about whether or not to buy a product or service. It’s simply human nature. Jonathan Swift said “It was a brave man that first ate an oyster.” We want to know it’s safe to buy before pulling the trigger!

So how do we intelligently harness this power in a way that boosts sales and trust? Here are five ways we’ve found to use social proof that can go a long way toward helping to convince your prospect to convert into a buyer!

5 Social proof tactics to use in your marketing

Blog comments – Nothing speaks more to the integrity and worth of a product or service like an owner willing to stand behind it honestly and promptly. Answering blog comments, questions and yes complaints will take you to the status of stand-up person when people view this publicly.

Reviews and Testimonials – Gathering reviews and testimonials is basic to utilizing social proof, as nothing speaks more about your product than others who are happy with it. Round up as many as you can, particularly video testimonials! This can also be key to ranking well, especially for local search.

Stats – If you’ve generated impressive numbers, don’t be shy about sharing. “7,354 people used our service last month!” Combining this with the logo or name of a brand people know is extremely effective.

Use social sharing buttons – The best thing about social media is the reach and influence you can get far beyond your own sphere of influence, but this can only happen if you make it available. Add social sharing buttons, and encourage sharing!

Badges – Displaying the icons of well-known companies you do business with, along with site trust badges, Like BBB, site security and others can give your site a feeling of trust with very little effort on your part. Just be sure you honestly have the accreditation you’re displaying, or you may find yourself doing some emergency reputation management!