What is Social Proof and Why your Practice can Live or Die By it
Social proof is a psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others in an attempt to reflect the correct behavior for a given situation. It’s also known as informational social influence. Social proof is a force that influences us in every day decision making from the biggest decisions like where like to live, where to get our prescriptions, down to smaller decisions like where we would like to have lunch.
If you’re starting out new in your own private practice social proof is the best way for your office to get more dental patients, for them to learn about you and the services you provide. Think of social proof as the foundation of word of mouth.
Many dentists are missing or underutilizing the major impact the biggest and easiest form of social proof: Social media marketing. If your competitors are already using the power of the Internet in advertising their services, are you doing the same? Are they using methods of advertising and you wish you were too? Then, now is the time to start.
Social proof is a way of bringing your resources to patients and helping them to make the best informed decision they can. Even if it’s a matter of life or death, patients want to be assured that they are making the right decisions. Testimonials is a great example of the power social media marketing can have for your practice. It will not only strengthen your relationship with patients, but it gives them the social proof they need that you are the solution to their problems.
An even more powerful way you use a testimonial is to record a video of the testimonial. You can use video testimonial in so many different forms of media. The video can be transcribed, then printed and posted on your website, and you can use the audio for mobile marketing where patients can be calling and hear about satisfied people on previous recordings. The good thing with video is that you can get more mileage from them.
Prospective patients will want to know that someone has been here before and had a great experience. All patients are doing is collecting all the information they can to make sure they are choosing the right dentist.
Once you receive social proof from previous patients make sure to use it fully. Make sure it’s on your website and mobile marketing. So when they are looking to possibly come to your practice you have already answered their question on social proof.
There are many different types of social proof that you can implement to help you get more dental patients and keep more patients:
Expert Social proof - having an approval from a credible blogger or magazine can have a credible digital influence.
Wisdom of the crowd’s social proof - using the example of Ray Kroc who started using social proof in 1995 by hanging the “over one million sold” signs at the first McDonald's. Popularity or highlighting large number of users implies that a million people can’t be wrong.
There are many types of social proof and they can have a great impact on your dental office marketing if it’s implemented effectively. One form of social proof might work better than another for your office but having a “mixed salad” of various types of social proof is much more effective.
If you’re starting out new in your own private practice social proof is the best way for your office to get more dental patients, for them to learn about you and the services you provide. Think of social proof as the foundation of word of mouth.
Many dentists are missing or underutilizing the major impact the biggest and easiest form of social proof: Social media marketing. If your competitors are already using the power of the Internet in advertising their services, are you doing the same? Are they using methods of advertising and you wish you were too? Then, now is the time to start.
Social proof is a way of bringing your resources to patients and helping them to make the best informed decision they can. Even if it’s a matter of life or death, patients want to be assured that they are making the right decisions. Testimonials is a great example of the power social media marketing can have for your practice. It will not only strengthen your relationship with patients, but it gives them the social proof they need that you are the solution to their problems.
An even more powerful way you use a testimonial is to record a video of the testimonial. You can use video testimonial in so many different forms of media. The video can be transcribed, then printed and posted on your website, and you can use the audio for mobile marketing where patients can be calling and hear about satisfied people on previous recordings. The good thing with video is that you can get more mileage from them.
Prospective patients will want to know that someone has been here before and had a great experience. All patients are doing is collecting all the information they can to make sure they are choosing the right dentist.
Once you receive social proof from previous patients make sure to use it fully. Make sure it’s on your website and mobile marketing. So when they are looking to possibly come to your practice you have already answered their question on social proof.
There are many different types of social proof that you can implement to help you get more dental patients and keep more patients:
Expert Social proof - having an approval from a credible blogger or magazine can have a credible digital influence.
Wisdom of the crowd’s social proof - using the example of Ray Kroc who started using social proof in 1995 by hanging the “over one million sold” signs at the first McDonald's. Popularity or highlighting large number of users implies that a million people can’t be wrong.
There are many types of social proof and they can have a great impact on your dental office marketing if it’s implemented effectively. One form of social proof might work better than another for your office but having a “mixed salad” of various types of social proof is much more effective.
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