In a world where social media has become the dominant form of communication, businesses need to learn how to use social proof to their advantage.
What is social proof? In essence, it is the idea that people will do what they see other people doing. It is a psychological phenomenon that explains why we are more likely to do something if we see that others have done it too.
This concept can be used by businesses in a number of ways. For example, by showing customer testimonials on their website or by having a well-trafficked blog, businesses can create the impression that their product or service is popular and worth considering. Additionally, using hashtags on social media platforms can help attract attention to your brand and boost your online presence.
In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know to devise the strategy for using social proof in business. We’ll start with a brief overview of social proof and its origins. Then, we’ll explore some of the different ways businesses can use social proof to their advantage. Finally, we’ll provide some tips for creating effective social proof content.
The Origins of Social Proof
The concept of social proof was popularized by psychologist Robert Cialdini in his 1984 book Influence: Science & Practice. Cialdini defined social proof as “the principle that states that people are more likely to do something if they see other people doing it.”
Informational social influence occurs when we change our behavior in order to conform to what others around us are doing. We do this because we believe that other people have more information than we do and, as a result, their behavior must be correct.
For example, imagine you are at a restaurant and you can’t decide what to order. You might look around at what other people are eating and use that information to help you make your decision.
This definition highlights two important aspects of social proof. First, it is a psychological phenomenon; that is, it is based on our human tendency to conform to the behavior of those around us. Second, social proof can be used to influence people’s behavior.
Businesses can use social proof to their advantage by creating content that highlights their popularity and success. This could include customer testimonials, blog posts about industry trends, or even using hashtags on social media platforms.
Strategies for Building Social Proof on Instagram
As we mentioned above, social proof is all about creating the impression that your product or service is popular and worth considering. And one of the best places to do this is on Instagram.
Instagram is a visual social media platform with over 1 billion monthly active users. It’s the perfect place to show off your business’s products or services, as well as any customer testimonials or reviews you may have.
Here are some strategies you can use to build social proof on Instagram:
1. Use Automated Engagement Tools
Automated engagement tools like Skweezer can help you build social proof by automatically adding real likes, comments, and views to your posts.
2. Use Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is a great way to build social proof on Instagram. By working with influencers who have a large following, you can tap into their audience and get your brand in front of more people.
3. Use User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) is any content that is created by users, not businesses. This could include anything from customer testimonials to photos or videos of your products being used.
Hashtags are a great way to get your content seen by more people. When you use relevant hashtags, you can increase the reach of your posts and get in front of people who might be interested in your product or service.
5. Use Contests and Giveaways
Running contests and giveaways is a great way to build social proof on Instagram. Not only will this help you get more followers, but it will also encourage people to interact with your brand.
Tips for Creating Effective Social Proof Content
Now that we’ve covered some of the ways businesses can use social proof, let’s take a look at some tips for creating effective social proof content.
1. Be Transparent
When you’re creating social proof content, it’s important to be transparent. Don’t try to hide the fact that you’re using social proof to influence people’s behavior.
2. Be Relevant
Your social proof content should be relevant to your audience. If it’s not, then people will see right through it and it won’t be effective.
3. Use Testimonials
One of the best ways to create social proof content is to use testimonials from happy customers. When potential customers see that you have satisfied customers, they’ll be more likely to trust you and do business with you.
4. Use Numbers
If you can back up your claims with numbers, then do so. For example, if you’re claiming that your product is the best in the market, be sure to include statistics to back up your claim.
5. Be Creative
Finally, don’t be afraid to be creative with your social proof content. There are endless possibilities, so think outside the box and come up with something that will really grab people’s attention.
Build Social Proof with Skweezer
Building social proof can be a challenge, but with Skweezer, it’s easy.
Skweezer is an automated engagement tool that can help you increase your likes, comments, and views on Instagram.
With Skweezer, you can choose how many likes, comments, and views you want to add to each of your posts. And the best part is that all of the engagement is real and from active users.
If you’re looking for an easy way to build social proof on Instagram, then be sure to check out Skweezer today!