Use Social Influence to Encourage Customers Toward a Sale

In this blog post, we’re going to discuss what social proof is and how you can use it in your marketing strategy to encourage customers toward a sale. We’ll also touch on five ways you can incorporate social proof into your marketing. So, let’s get started!

What is Social Influence?

Social influence refers to the pressure that people feel to conform to the norms of a group. This pressure can be exerted by an individual or by an entire group. When someone succumbs to social influence, they’re changing their behavior or belief to align with that of the group.

It’s important to note that social influence isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it’s often necessary for the functioning of society. For example, consider the stoplight at a busy intersection. If everyone just drove through the intersection whenever they felt like it, there would be a lot of accidents.

But because there’s social pressure to follow the rules and stop at red lights, drivers do so, and accidents are prevented.

How Can Social Influence be Used in your Marketing?

As a business owner or CMO, you can harness the power of social influence and use it to encourage customers toward a sale. There are several ways to do this, which we’ll discuss below. But first, let’s take a look at some types of social proof.

Types of Social Proof

– celebrity endorsements
– user reviews
– case studies
– testimonials
– expert opinions

Now that we’ve gone over some types of social proof, let’s take a look at five ways you can incorporate it into your marketing strategy.

#1 – Online reviews

One way you can use social proof in your marketing is by incorporating online reviews into your website or product page. Customers trust reviews from other customers more than they trust advertising, so this is a great way to build credibility and encourage potential buyers toward a purchase.

You can either add customer reviews directly to your website or link to them from third-party sites like Google My Business or Yelp.

#2 – Add images to testimonials

Another way you can use social proof is by adding images to testimonials. When potential customers see an image alongside a testimonial, they’re more likely to believe it and be encouraged toward a purchase. Be sure to use high-quality images that are relevant to your product or service.

#3 – Shoot video testimonials

A third way you can use social proof is by shooting video testimonials from satisfied customers. Video testimonials are even more powerful than written ones because they allow potential customers to see the emotion in the customer’s face and body language as they speak about your product or service. If possible, include shots of the customer using your product as well.

#4 – Make Your Social Proof Easy To Find

Make sure your social proof is easily seen fourth way you can use social proof is by making sure it’s easily seen on your website or product page. Don’t bury it in small print at the bottom of the page—potential customers are likely to miss it there. Instead, make sure it’s prominently displayed so that visitors will see it as soon as they land on your page.

One way you can do this is by using brightly colored buttons or banners with text that stands out.

For example, you could use a button that says “Read Our 5-Star Reviews!” with an arrow pointing down toward where the reviews are located. This will grab visitors’ attention and encourage them to read what other customers have said about your product.

#5 – Find brand ambassadors

Fifth way you could use social proof in your marketing strategy is by finding brand ambassadors. Brand ambassadors are individuals who passionate about your product or service and who are willing promote it to their personal networks. This could be done through word-of-mouth, posts on social media, or even bloggers or influencers who review products on their websites or YouTube channels.

If you have satisfied customers who love what you do, reach out them and ask if they’d be interested in becoming brand ambassadors for your company. It never hurts ask! And you never know — they might just say yes.

Final Thoughts

Social proof is a powerful tool that you can use in your marketing strategy to encourage customers toward a sale. By incorporating online reviews, adding images to testimonials, shooting video testimonials, making sure your social proof is easily seen, and finding brand ambassadors, you can harness the power of social influence and use it drive more sales for your business.