What is Social Proof and Why Does It Matter?
Social proof is not bragging about yourself, but you are boasting about what you are capable of doing. For some people, that can be a challenge. It can be uncomfortable, but you do it anyway, because you want DMs that say,
“You’re inside my head.”
Or, “I really needed to hear this today.”
“How can I work with you?”
“That post was great. I’m going to try it today.”
If you aren’t getting those DMs every single day, then it’s time for you to adjust your strategy and focus more on authoritative content.
I teach you exactly how to do this step by step in my training: Stranger to Standout. You can learn more and register here.
Social proof also includes those screenshots and testimonials you see people posting everywhere.
This is what I really want to focus on here–something that almost every single one of my clients struggle with, and you might be struggling with too:
You are great at what you do, but you don’t necessarily have the testimonials or the social proof screenshots.
This might happen because you’re new in business, or you’re just not in the habit of asking for feedback.
That doesn’t mean you can’t show off your expertise. You need to do this to book the clients you want to work with.
Highlighting that you are the best at what you do is crucial, especially in a space that can feel saturated. I am going to show you exactly how you can do that here.
Why Does It Matter?
In a marketplace that can feel crowded, standing out is key. Authority-based content helps differentiate you from others in your field and attracts your ideal clients. Even though there might be a million people selling something on Instagram, there is enough business to go around. By creating content that showcases your authority, you can call in your specific and ideal client.
Showcase Your Expertise Without Social Proof
Share Your Journey as a Case Study
- Keep It Specific: Instead of narrating your entire life story, focus on a specific aspect that relates to what you’re selling. If you’re a fitness coach specializing in macros, share your journey with macro tracking and how it transformed your fitness goals.
- Example: Just yesterday, I shared in my stories how two years ago I wasn’t creating authoritative content and how changing that strategy transformed my business. I didn’t talk about my whole content strategy, just that one specific change.
Highlight Your Process
- Transparency: Give a glimpse into your process when working with clients. Describe what happens during the first call, the quick wins, and the longer-term transformations.
- Example: Create posts like, “After two weeks of working with me, you can expect…” and outline the specific changes and benefits clients will see. After 30 days, after three months—show the journey.
Share Your Opinions
- Show How You Are Different: Explain how your approach differs from the norm in your industry and why you do things differently.
- Examples: One of my clients, Amber, a holistic nutritionist, talks about her “latte therapy” despite the common advice to quit coffee. This controversial stance attracts clients who appreciate her realistic approach. Another client, Lexxa, a professional organizer, doesn’t buy new bins or baskets to organize stuff and talks about what to do instead, establishing her credibility and attracting clients who don’t want to spend a lot on new containers.
Share Your Rise-Up Story
- Relatable Struggles: Share moments when you hit rock bottom and how you rose back up. This should be a concise story that your audience can relate to.
- Example: I often talk about my first year in business when I was financially successful but completely burnt out. Sharing how I re-structured my business to avoid burnout helps others see the value in my methods.
Putting Authoritative Content in Practice
These stories and insights can be shared through reels, carousels, Instagram Stories, or Lives. The key is consistency and authenticity. Authoritative content doesn’t need to be reinvented constantly. Once you have your core stories and processes, you can repurpose them across different platforms.
Taking the Next Step
If you’re not yet booking the clients or making the income you desire despite consistent posting, it’s time to pivot your strategy. Authoritative content is a significant piece of the puzzle.
For more in-depth guidance on how to spotlight your superpowers and showcase case studies effectively, check out my training, Stranger to Standout.
This 45-minute session comes with a workbook packed with exercises to help you implement these strategies immediately. You can watch the training and create a post right away.
Helpful links:
Follow me on Instagram HERE
Listen to this podcast episode HERE
