How can social media customer testimonials improve your advertising strategy?

1 Why social media customer testimonials matter

Social media customer testimonials are the online equivalent of word-of-mouth marketing, which is one of the most effective ways to influence consumer behavior. According to a survey by BrightLocal, 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, and 72% of consumers say that positive reviews make them more likely to buy from a business. Social media customer testimonials can also help you showcase your products or services in action, highlight your unique value proposition, and address potential objections or questions that your customers may have.

2 How to collect social media customer testimonials

If you want to utilize social media customer testimonials in your advertising strategy, the first step is to collect them from your satisfied customers. There are multiple ways to do this, like requesting feedback via email, surveys, or direct messages after a purchase or positive interaction. You can also encourage customers to share their experiences with your brand on social media platforms using hashtags, mentions, or tags. Additionally, you could create a dedicated landing page, form, or widget on your website for customers to submit their testimonials. Offering incentives such as discounts, coupons, freebies, or loyalty points for leaving a testimonial is another option. Lastly, you can monitor online reviews, ratings, or comments on third-party sites like Google, Yelp, or Trustpilot and contact those who leave positive feedback.

3 How to choose the best social media customer testimonials

When selecting social media customer testimonials for your advertising strategy, it is important to choose the ones that are most relevant to your target audience's needs and goals. The testimonials should be specific and honest, without sounding too scripted or exaggerated. Furthermore, they should be visually appealing and include the customer's name, location, and social media handle or profile link (with their permission). Doing so will help ensure that your testimonials are seen as authentic and engaging.

4 How to display social media customer testimonials

The next step is to display your social media customer testimonials on your website, landing pages, or online store to attract and convert more visitors. When doing so, it's best to use a prominent and consistent location, such as the homepage, product page, or checkout page. Additionally, use a clear and catchy headline like "What our customers are saying" or "See how our customers love us". Moreover, utilize a carousel, slider, or grid layout to showcase multiple testimonials and make them easy to browse. Include social proof indicators like the number of testimonials, ratings, or stars to increase credibility and trust. Last but not least, add a call to action like "Shop now", "Learn more", or "Join us" to encourage visitors to take the next step.

5 How to promote social media customer testimonials

The final step is to promote your social media customer testimonials on your own channels and paid advertising platforms, such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or Instagram Ads. This can help you reach a wider and more targeted audience, generate more traffic, and boost your brand awareness and reputation. To do this effectively, use captivating and relevant images, videos, or stories to showcase your testimonials. Include catchy and concise captions, headlines, or slogans to highlight your value proposition and entice curiosity. Also use hashtags, keywords, or tags to optimize visibility and reach. Additionally, make sure the testimonials match the stage of the buyer's journey (awareness, consideration, or decision) and align with your campaign goals (increasing brand awareness, generating leads, or driving sales). Social media customer testimonials are a powerful way to improve your advertising strategy and boost merchandising results. By collecting, choosing, displaying, and promoting them effectively you can leverage the power of social proof, influence, and trust to attract and convert more customers and grow your business.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?