The Power of Social Proof:
How Social Media Can Help You Shop
Social proof is very powerful. Most people would rather listen to their friends, colleagues, or partners when picking a product over some corporate sales pitch. As a matter of fact, one study by Nielsen found that 83% of people use the advice of friends and people they trust when making buying decisions.
Social proof is something that can be used both by markets and clients. It can help them make better decisions and get insights into the things they want to buy. It can also help them save time and money. Let’s take a look at how social media can help you shop for sports supplies.
Testimonials
There’s a reason why so many businesses use testimonials in their marketing material, their website, or on social media. This is because it allows people to make a human connection with the buyer. Again, most people would rather listen to what a real person has to say about a product.
You have to be careful with testimonials, however. Always take them with a grain of salt. Also, try to follow up on the source. You want to know that the person actually exists. If you get the chance, you could even talk to them directly if they have a page or if you bump into them in a group.
Check Out Reviews and Complaints
Another way that you can check the reputation of a business is to check out its page on Facebook. This will give you a chance to see if people have something to say about the business and their products. You’ll also get to see how they treat clients.
If you notice recurring complaints, check out if they made any adjustments and how they respond to disgruntled customers. Do they dismiss the complaint and shift the blame? What kind of tone do they have? Are they using canned responses or are they relevant to the complaint? These are all things that will allow you to get a better idea of who they are as a brand.
Influencers
Social media is also where influencers thrive. They could come in handy when it comes to buying supplies. They might be able to put you on to some equipment you may not have thought of. You also have suppliers like Anytime Baseball Supply that routinely offer tutorials on how to pick the right equipment. This could come in handy if you’re looking for something like a pitching machine and don’t know where to look.
Influencers are a great option as they’re often close to the sport. Some of them are players or played pro or semi-pro at one point in their career. They are best placed to give you real and unbiased reviews on different products.
Not only that, but the interactive nature of social media can be beneficial as well. You’ll be able to speak directly with the person who released a video on a product you were interested in. In most cases, they will answer if their following is not overwhelmingly big.
Either way, you’ll probably find someone in the comments section that will be able to help. Having a place where you can get opinions from actual people who are not personally invested in a product is a great resource. You’ll be able to find people who fit your profile and help you find the best product for your needs.
Social media can be a great place to start looking for sports supplies. Look around and gather as much independent information as you can before you make any purchase.
