{"id":86127,"date":"2024-12-05T13:53:55","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T18:53:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/?p=86127"},"modified":"2024-12-05T13:54:37","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T18:54:37","slug":"social-proof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/social-proof\/","title":{"rendered":"Zero Testimonials? Build Social Proof That Boosts Conversions by 20%"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Social Proof is a thing.&nbsp; Call it testimonials, call it people talking about how awesome your business is.&nbsp; Call it whatever you want.&nbsp; But if you\u2019re a new business, you\u2019re probably calling it an obstacle.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re not alone.&nbsp; It\u2019s giving \u201cnew college grad trying to find a job where every entry level position requires 5 years experience and there\u2019s no where you can go to get that experience.\u201d&nbsp; Ahhh life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But seriously. I\u2019ve had about 5 conversations with newbie entrepreneurs this week and they all asked me the same questions. <strong>\u201cHow do I build social proof when I\u2019m just starting out?\u201d<\/strong> And I told them exactly what I\u2019m about to share with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Social Proof Isn\u2019t Just Another Buzzword<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Buzzwords annoy me \u2013 it\u2019s like we\u2019re trying to make something so much bigger than it is and complicate it so that you will hire us and give us money. It\u2019s not that complicated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Social Proof is a fancy way of saying \u201ctestimonials\u201d or referrals. Said another way, it\u2019s people with credibility and influence over your audience saying they love something and you\u2019ll love it too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, let\u2019s talk data, because this isn\u2019t just marketing BS (as my mom likes to call it). According to<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.hubspot.com\/marketing\/the-tiny-layout-tweak-that-led-to-more-conversions\" data-lasso-id=\"80600\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> HubSpot<\/a>, implementing social proof can boost your conversion rates by up to <strong>20%<\/strong>. But wait\u2014there\u2019s more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>92%<\/strong> of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>70%<\/strong> of buyers need at least four reviews before they trust a business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>User-generated content drives <strong>6.9x higher engagement<\/strong> than brand-created content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reviews can increase conversion rates by as much as <strong>270%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Yep \u2013 the data supports it.&nbsp; If you want to sell more stuff, you\u2019re gonna need people who are LIKE your ideal customer with the same issues as your ideal customer talking about how your product or service transformed their life and made the problem go away (better, faster, easier, and cheaper than anything they\u2019ve ever done before).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bottom line? Social proof isn\u2019t optional anymore\u2014it\u2019s essential for survival.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic-768x1920.png\" alt=\"statistics about social proof\" class=\"wp-image-86128\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic-768x1921.png 768w, https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic-384x960.png 384w, https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic-614x1536.png 614w, https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic-819x2048.png 819w, https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic-480x1200.png 480w, https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic-640x1601.png 640w, https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic-720x1801.png 720w, https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic-960x2401.png 960w, https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/social-proof-infographic.png 1030w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But how do you get there if you\u2019re starting from zero?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Create an Experience Worth Talking About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to make getting testimonials and social proof and people talking about you absolutely effortless?&nbsp; Stop worrying about COLLECTING testimonials and start worrying about delivering an experience WORTHY of testimonials and social proof.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ll say that again: stop worrying about getting and start worrying about delivering.&nbsp; Because YOU control the experience and your customers control the feedback.&nbsp; That\u2019s just how the world works.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, let\u2019s focus on what you can control: creating an experience so good your customers can\u2019t help but rave about it. This isn\u2019t about fancy marketing\u2014it\u2019s about being <strong>exceptional<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Know WHERE to Be Exceptional?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You didn\u2019t ask \u2013 but you should have.&nbsp; Because there\u2019s NO WAY you can guess where or how to be exceptional from your office or kitchen table&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only person who knows what exceptional customer experience feels like is \u2013 your customer.&nbsp; Your ideal customer \u2013 to be exact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So you\u2019re going to need to know who that is, what matters to them, and what their ideal, most perfect, magical outcome is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How will you know this?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will actually have to do the unthinkable \u2013 and talk to them.&nbsp; I know, it\u2019s a challenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, you don\u2019t HAVE to \u2013 you can certainly decide for yourself or you can ignore this and just spend a few thousand dollars on some digital marketing that doesn\u2019t deliver results \u2013 but hey.&nbsp; You do you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With that out of the way, you realize that talking to customers who you love and who love you back is awesome and you might actually sell something in the process \u2013 let\u2019s continue&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Know Your Ideal Customer Like Family<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t understand your customers, you can\u2019t wow them. Here\u2019s how to truly get inside their heads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Build a detailed customer profile that goes beyond age and income.<\/strong> What keeps them awake at night? What are they secretly Googling at 2 a.m.?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I highly recommend getting \u201cphysical\u201d or \u201cmanual\u201d with this.&nbsp; Create a collage or vision board or something.&nbsp; Use images \u2013 not words.&nbsp; This activates a different part of your brain and will prompt your brain to give you ideas you never knew you had.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you already have a favorite customer who you love and who loves you back.\u00a0 Start with their picture &#8211; put it on a board, then collect other images based on what you know about them that will illustrate this ideal experience.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take your ideal experience to the extreme.\u00a0 Take a tip from Amazon\u2019s product development team.\u00a0 They always start with \u2013 what would be the ideal customer experience? Answer? I click a button and the doorbell rings.\u00a0 Or I click a button and my order magically appears.\u00a0 I know it\u2019s extreme, but it drives you to always be working toward the ideal.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to believe but years ago, a standard line on TV infomercials was \u201callow 6-8 weeks for delivery\u201d.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Use tools like<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopperhq.com\/blog\/10-creative-ways-to-use-social-proof-in-your-marketing-strategy\/\" data-lasso-id=\"80601\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> HopperHQ<\/a> to dig into their social behaviors and preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Map every interaction point they have with your business. From their first website visit to their post-purchase follow-up, identify opportunities to impress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Identify Their Pain Points and Solve Them Better Than Anyone Else<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Find the three biggest frustrations your customers face, then crush them. Do this right, and they won\u2019t just talk about you\u2014they\u2019ll rave about you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heck, start with just ONE single pain point.&nbsp; What\u2019s ONE thing that drives your customers crazy that you can do better than anyone else.&nbsp; Even if you do it a little bit better, it\u2019s still better than the alternative.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a service business that takes appointments &#8211; can you simply guarantee that you will see your client on their exact appointment time and get them out on time? No one likes 4-hour windows.&nbsp; How can you do it better, faster, more reliably?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is probably my favorite tip because you only have to do ONE thing but do it exceptionally well.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Surprise and Delight<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Never underestimate the power of small, unexpected gestures. Whether it\u2019s a handwritten thank-you note, a surprise upgrade, or a freebie they didn\u2019t expect, these little touches make a huge impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> This is where social proof begins. When you blow people away, they\u2019ll tell their friends\u2014and suddenly, you\u2019re on your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Right now, your best <a href=\"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/how-to-choose-a-marketing-strategy\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"23312\" data-lasso-id=\"80602\">marketing strategy<\/a> is how you make people FEEL. How do you bring the HUMAN experience back? Again, pick ONE thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be kind \u2013 every time.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be on time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Say thank you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do something kind and special &#8211; go out of your way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>ALL of these are ways of being \u2013 they are all FREE and they yield bigger, better results.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The &#8220;No Social Proof Yet&#8221; Toolkit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re starting from scratch, don\u2019t panic. Here\u2019s how to create social proof without a single review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start With Friends and Family (Yes, Really!)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn\u2019t cheating if you approach it authentically. Here\u2019s the playbook:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be upfront: \u201cI need honest feedback as I launch my business. Can you try this and let me know what you think?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask for specific, detailed feedback. A generic \u201cIt\u2019s great\u201d won\u2019t help you build credibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Request permission to share their experiences as testimonials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What to Do Next:<\/strong> Use their feedback to craft compelling stories. For example, instead of saying, \u201cMy friend loved it,\u201d share, \u201cThey said our software saved them two hours a day\u2014and even helped them land a new client.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leverage Small Wins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Big wins are great, but small victories add up fast. Capture them wherever you can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Screenshot every positive email or DM (with permission).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Save every social media mention, even the casual ones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Document every small success story\u2014like when your product solved a minor inconvenience or saved someone time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Small wins snowball into larger wins. Keep track of every positive interaction, no matter how minor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create Content That Builds Trust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re light on reviews, heavy up on content that demonstrates your expertise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Share behind-the-scenes insights. Show potential customers how the sausage gets made\u2014it\u2019s more interesting than you think.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Document your process. For example, if you\u2019re a designer, show sketches evolving into finished products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Publish how-to guides. This not only showcases your knowledge but also helps your audience solve problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By sharing valuable content, you\u2019re creating a digital paper trail that screams, \u201cThis business knows its stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pro-Tip:<\/strong> If you have a local business that relies on Google searches where potential customers are looking up phone numbers or local services, use your Google My Business as a powerful sales tool:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Treat it like Facebook; add pictures of your business, people, customers, etc.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did you get any handwritten thank you notes? (I have a local attorney that gets a lot of these). Take a picture and post it there (ask permission first!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build Credibility One Step at a Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest mistake you can make is trying to do everything at once. Instead, focus on one strategy at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your 30-Day Social Proof Sprint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to build a strong foundation, step by step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Weeks 1\u20132: Perfect the Customer Experience<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Start gathering informal feedback. Ask questions like, \u201cWhat\u2019s one thing we could improve?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Document every response\u2014it\u2019s all usable later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Week 3: Implement the Friends and Family Strategy<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gather at least three authentic reviews.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turn those reviews into compelling testimonials and share them on your website or social media.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Week 4: Start Capturing Small Wins<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Collect screenshots, save mentions, and write up mini case studies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Begin sharing these stories in newsletters, social posts, and ads.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The ROI of Social Proof: Real Numbers That Matter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s talk results:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Businesses that use social proof effectively see a <strong>20% increase in conversions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>88%<\/strong> of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Websites with product reviews convert <strong>63% more<\/strong> than those without them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These aren\u2019t just numbers\u2014they\u2019re proof that social proof works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common FAQs About Building Social Proof<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What if I get negative feedback?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>A: Use it as a chance to shine. Respond professionally, solve the problem, and turn it into a story about your excellent customer service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Can I pay for testimonials?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>A: No. Authenticity is your most valuable currency. Fake or paid testimonials can destroy trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How many testimonials do I need?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>A: Start with five detailed, authentic reviews. Quality always beats quantity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How long does it take to see results?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>A: Expect 3\u20136 months of consistent effort. But even small wins can start building momentum immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your Action Plan: Start Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what I told those startups: Pick <strong>one strategy<\/strong> and do it well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Focus on creating an experience worth talking about.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implement one tactic\u2014like leveraging small wins\u2014for 30 days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Document everything.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Bookmark<a href=\"https:\/\/devrix.com\/tutorial\/steps-building-social-proof-growing-businesses\/\" data-lasso-id=\"80603\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> these steps<\/a> to stay organized as you build your proof arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Final Word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Building social proof is a journey, not a race. Even giants like Amazon started with zero reviews. The key is to build trust one happy customer at a time. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your credibility\u2014and conversions\u2014grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what one strategy will you start with this week? Let\u2019s make it happen.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s tough to get social proof when your a startup &#8212; or is it?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":86131,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[110,7,145],"class_list":["post-86127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-get-customers","tag-customer-experience","tag-marketing-ideas","tag-social-proof"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86127","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86127"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86127\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86134,"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86127\/revisions\/86134"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}