#SocialProof - Building Know, Like & Trust With Your Social Media

We’ve talked a lot about #SocialProof and how it affects client/customer trust, but we’ve only briefly touched on the Social Media aspect of building it.

There are three things you want to instill in your clients and customers through social media: Know, Like, and Trust.

Getting Known

Did you know that your audience will grow in proportion to the quality of content you create and deliver?

Develop quality, engaging content on your social media channels. This will help you build a reputation as a subject matter expert within your niche. Use content, evidence, and case studies alongside your ideas and labels to create more impact.

Create content that is accurate. Make sure you research your topic (or the articles you share). Ask questions. Develop relationships with key influencers in your market. Don’t be shameless about it, however. Keep it professional.

Follow these key points, and your clients and customers will rely on you for knowledge.

Build Likability

Likeability is a cornerstone in customer and brand loyalty. It’s not as hard to create as you might think.

Start with authenticity. Be real, and express your voice through your content. Share your stories and get personal, but keep your focus on the positive. There is a fine line between showcasing your personality and becoming overly personal. There is no need to broadcast private aspects of your personal life to your audience.  Just be real and people will respond to that.

Don’t badmouth others or create flame wars. That type of negativity will reflect poorly your company. Be helpful and responsive to comments.

Most of all, make your future clients and customers feel like they’re important to you. As you build likes and shares, don’t forget to leverage that social proof to gain a larger audience. Remember, social proof is a snowball effect. Once you get it rolling, it builds momentum all on its own.

Gain Trust

Quality. Quality. Quality. There is no bigger factor than providing quality content and work that keeps your audience engaged. Case studies, testimonials, services, webinars, even free products. Whatever you deliver, make sure it’s your best work. Guarantees go a long way here when you’re talking about products and/or services.

Don’t. Steal. Plagiarism is one of the most effective ways to destroy trust. Second only to lying. This goes back to Likeability and being authentic. If you make a mistake, admit it and apologize. Don’t ignore it or lie about it.

Keep the language approachable. If you talk down to your clients and customers, you’ll be treated with the same contempt you show them. There are enough alternatives out there that you’ll be passed by without a second thought. Keep your brand at the front of your mind whenever you are interacting with people.

Social media provides an opportunity to engage with your audience on a more personal level. How you use it will determine your effective social proof. Those individuals who trust you will share your content, provide word of mouth referrals, and become brand ambassadors for your business. There’s just no better way to #BeAwesome with your social media than to develop #SocialProof with your followers.

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Hollie Clere of The Social Media Advisor is a “#BeAwesome” Developer, Social Media, Brand Builder, Content Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+,YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and the tools to manage them.

Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars