Social Proof is when people like, comment, or share your blog, videos, on your Facebook posts, give a review or a write a testimonial. Why is it valuable? It shows new viewers that you may be someone worth following.
When people see others liking, commenting, and sharing your information, it gets their attention. People make split-second decisions if they want to bother to read your posts or watch your videos. When your posts have social proof, others take notice.​​
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Yes, there is a bit of psychology involved, that is sales and marketing 101. When people like you, you're halfway there!
Facebook Pages or Groups
(not your profile)
If you have a business or are considering starting a business, starting a Facebook page or group is wise. It's a fabulous way to begin building a targeted audience. I'm referring to massive followers, not the small, private group conversations.
You'll want to begin an email database regardless if you have a product or service to sell, or an online or brick and mortar business. You will especially want to get the emails of followers to share your blog posts. It all comes down to the quickest most effective way to get your information in front of your target audience so they may discover you.
One thing you'll soon see if you don't know already, I will not promote pushy sales tactics. It's all about attracting the right people who will resonate with you and your brand.
When we lead with value and end with a soft sell, you'll be much more likely to keep your followers and attract new fans. Of course, we eventually share our offers. Our primary goal is to share more of ourselves and make solid connections based on common interests.
People will get to know more and more as you begin to give value and share your thoughts and beliefs. When they can relate with you and sense that you are approachable; that's it, a bond begins to form. It's up to you to share on the platforms where your audience may be so they may learn about you.
Gone are the days of pushy sales and those that sell, sell, sell. If you're not making enough sales, you may want to read this article, Best Advice For Selling Online, as well.
I used to think that having as many followers as possible on all the social platforms was a good idea, well, that was a huge mistake!
The less targeted your followers are, the more it affects your marketing, and not in a positive way. I won't go into each of the platforms now, but for simplicity sake, the more targeted your audience, the higher your conversions/sales and the less your ad cost.
If you are not sure what you want to sell, or perhaps you sell multiple items; start by creating your email list using your name.
People follow you because they like you.
If you can help them solve their problem, if you're an authority figure on a given subject, and if they like you; they will follow you. Your lists may be segmented later, based on what you decide to offer. For now, begin providing them information and ask what you may do to help.
Social proof is a powerful way to promote posts, gain new readers, and email subscribers to your offers.
The more engagement (comments, likes & shares) you receive on your Facebook Ads, the more FB will allow people to see your ads and the less the ads will cost, which will also increase your conversion rates and sales.
There are several reasons you'll want a Facebook page or a group:
- Posts go to specific people who are highly interested in a particular topic.
- If people hide you, make derogatory comments, and worse, report or block you. These affect the ads FB allows to be seen.
- You may create ads, for many different reasons:
- Brand awareness by reaching people who are more likely interested in it.
- Show your ad to a maximum number of people.
- Gain traffic
- Send people to a destination on or off Facebook.
- To get post engagement.
- To announce an event.
- To locate a specific audience to LIKE your page.
- To announce your offer.
- To get more people to install your app.
- To get more people to view your video content.
- To drive more leads, get email addresses of those interested in your brand.
- Get better conversions
- To drive valuable actions on your app or website.
- With more people, the higher percentage of sales.
- Create ads that automatically show products from your catalog based on your audience.
- Allow people in your local vicinity to find and do business with you.
Your ads will only be visible to the demographic you selected; a certain gender, age range, salary range, zip codes, city, state, or country, or perhaps you select all countries.
Select people with specific interests, there are ways to drill down your selections, so you know the people aren't just slightly interested, but highly involved in that topic. You may also find "online buyers" of particular types of products or services.
Never use Facebook profiles as a business page. You can only run ads and make sales from a Facebook page or a group.
Your logo should be used in the cover photo, never in the small profile section, even on a business page. Social platforms are designed to build relationships. People want to connect with people. I don't know about you, but I've never talked with or made friends with a logo before. 😉
So the cool trick to getting more and more engagements on your post; create the post 2-3 days before creating your FB Ads.
Invite all your friends and family to give some social proof.
Then create your ad. The first time viewers see it, there will already be comments, likes, and maybe shares. It is 60% more likely that others will do the same. I've tried it both ways on multiple occasions; it works like magic!
Of course, your copy matters, a killer photo will make or break it too. Decide in advance what your goal is for each ad before you begin. All things throughout the ad should encourage your viewer to one "call-to-action" at the end.
Regardless if it's a very short video (under 40 seconds) or a photo with a few sentences in the post. The call to action such as: Sign up now, Learn More, Like, Share, etc. And your link and name the button to match the action you want your viewer to take.
Let me know if you have questions or would like more information.
Good luck, please keep me posted on your progress! I love it when people begin learning, and suddenly their businesses start to soar! It's not difficult; keep learning one new skill at a time.
Soon you'll look back and be amazed at the knowledge and skills you have picked up along the way. These are techniques you will use for any niche, any type or size of business.
Please stop by any social platform and say hello!
Leslie