How important are online reviews?

Online reviews are an especially powerful form of social media because, like any other type of user-generated content, they offer the voice of the customer, not the company. People increasingly rely on online reviews in making purchase decisions.
You can use third-party online review sites like Yelp, or you can allow customers to leave reviews directly on your website. Reviews offer excellent website content and can also help with SEO because websites with fresh content get more traffic from search engines.
Don't be afraid of negative reviews. It's a given that if you allow users to write reviews, some may say something you don't want to publish. However, you can address negative reviews (as mentioned above) and one more advantage to having a few negative reviews is that they lend more credibility. If all reviews are glowingly positive, this may be suspicious.


Using Case Studies for Social Proof

Typically, a case study is a story that tells how a person used your product or service. It demonstrates to the reader how they can use the product or service as well. With case studies, it's better to have one or a few long, very well-written stories than many that are not as detailed. You should focus on quality rather than quantity; a good and well-placed case study can provide a great deal of social proof.

The best-case studies are highly visual. You should include images of the customer using the product or service. Even better, make a video for case studies. The best-case studies also have data to support the story they tell. It's much better to say "I gained 10,000 more email subscribers" or "She increased her sales by 100%" than something general like, "My email subscribers grew." The specific facts help to create a clearer image in the reader's mind of the results they can get from the product or service.

The story in your case study should answer the questions that are in the reader's mind.

 
Add Social Proof Continuously

Include testimonials in newsletters or blogs.
Tweet user stats.
Include statistical info in your newsletter.
Work social media into webinars and podcasts.

 
Social Media Marketing Tips

Social proof works better with pictures.
People are influenced by similar people.
Experts create positive associations.
Stories connect deeply.
Identify methods for gaining the status of social proof on an ongoing basis.
Ask for testimonials.
Identify 5 ways that social influence will help grow your customer base and credibility.
Identify 3 types of social proof you are not currently using that you will implement.
Create an ongoing social influence system.

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