You're browsing through the available options and see "Codename Red." Hey, didn't your coworker just tell you that this is the best action adventure game? And didn't your singapore mobile number list partner's brother post about it on Facebook last week? "Hmm ," you think, "maybe we should give it a try . "
This is social proof in action . And it affects everything from how we spend our time to the purchases we make. So... how can you use social proof in your role as a salesperson or marketer? Read on to learn what social proof is, why it matters, and five ways to use it to increase your company's sales.
What is social proof and why does it work?
Social proof is a psychological phenomenon in which people rely on the actions of others to make their own decisions. Simply put, if a lot of people are doing something, we subconsciously believe it to be the right and desirable choice.
The mechanism of social proof is based on three key principles:
Conformism: the natural human desire to "be like everyone else"
Belonging: the desire to conform to the values of one's social group
Trust: the tendency to rely on the experience of others, especially in situations of uncertainty
For marketers, this means that it’s not enough to simply tell customers why you think your product is great. You have to show customers that your existing customers think your product is great.
Consumers want evidence from their peers and from impartial third parties, not from the brands that sell the products.