Social Proof – Earning Client Trust with Social Networking

There is a psychological theory that is taught in a great deal of marketing classes that is known as social proof.

This is basically an idea that states that people, when surrounded by strangers, will assume that the strangers are more knowledgeable about a certain subject than they are. This is important in internet marketing or other sales-oriented environments because it means that if you act like an expert on any given subject, even if you aren’t, the general public is likely to believe you. The key is to speak with authority, or write with it if you are blogging, for example. Because the internet has opened up recently with new tools in internet marketing, including a world of social networking sites, it’s helpful to keep these ideas of social proof in mind. When you are sending out newsletters or posting status updates on your Facebook profile, for example, sound somewhat authoritative while at the same time being accessible and you will earn the trust of your clients and social network.

This means that they will be more likely to listen to what you have to say in the future, or click on links that you provide them. Another way to use social proof in terms of internet marketing is in the emails or newsletters that you send out as part of a marketing package. Be sure to include articles that will be able to speak knowledgeably about a subject. Even if these articles aren’t written by an expert, if they sound like they are and are generally accurate; than people will take their word as solid. It’s very important not to make up any facts or give out false information, however, because then you are in danger of losing all of that client trust that you have worked so hard for. These are all but a few things to take into consideration in terms of marketing techniques online. The rules may have changed in terms of how companies are able to reach their clients, but the general rules behind advertising and marketing stay the same.

Social proof is not a new idea, but now there are new ways to put it into use, with the new tools of internet marketing. This will lead down the road to greater profits for you and a greater level of trust from customers. That is the best that a new business can strive for.

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