Under the Influence

How to use social proof to your advantage.

May 23, 2022

Hey there —

If it weren't for social proof, shopping carts wouldn’t exist. Yes, seriously. 🛒

When trolleys made their debut in 1937, people hesitated to use them since they looked like “effeminate strollers.” So its inventor, Sylvan Goldman, paid actors to use them in his grocery stores. Shoppers soon followed suit.

Thank goodness, because imagine doing a Costco run without a cart.

Popularized by Dr. Robert Cialdini, in his book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, social proof is when we copy the actions of others because we assume they’re “correct” (and we want in).

Social proof is why we’ll wait in line at a packed restaurant. It’s why we buy coffee from YouTubers. Or why sites like Yelp, Glassdoor, and Indeed are thriving.

Our desire to be part of the group sways our opinions and decisions more than you realize. And you can harness the power of social proof to your advantage to garner credibility, trust, and reputability.

If you’re an employee. At your next quarterly review, bring up positive testimonials from your boss, co-workers, and clients. This will really come in handy if you’re negotiating your salary (😉) – or if you’re interviewing for a new position elsewhere!

If you’re a content creator. While metrics don’t really matter, comments and shares can boost your visibility. Interlace CTAs throughout your content or ask family and friends to engage. Yes, your mom leaving a comment on your YouTube channel counts.

If you’re a business owner or freelancer. Ask a client for a testimonial when you’re done wrapping up a project. Make it easy for them by writing out 2-3 specific questions and telling them it won’t take longer than 2 minutes.

It can feel awkward to ask for social proof. But there is nothing wrong with highlighting the results of your hard work. Not only is it how you’ll get noticed by like-minded people (and clients!), but it helps you feel proud about what you’ve made.

And that’s something we can *definitely* get behind. 💪🏼

Set the Tiniest Goals

Article | by Sophie Lucido Johnson

What was your New Year's Eve resolution?

Maybe it was to create more YouTube videos, hit the gym twice a week, or switch out coffee for matcha. ☕️

Regardless of what you decided on, it was probably a grandiose goal meant to enhance your lifestyle. But what about accomplishing teeny-tiny goals?

Sophie Johnson is a big fan of small goals. In this article, she explains how the littlest tasks can lead us to a more mindful and gentle life.

Not sure where to start? Try out this list of tiny goals you can do today:

  • Take a deep breath.

  • Say “spaghetti” out loud (because it’s fun).

  • Take a walk around the block without your phone.

The 16 Mindfulness Books to Improve Your Well-Being

Round-Up | by Naomi Farr

Mindfulness isn’t just meditation and awkward downward dogs. This list includes a range of books that’ll help you carve out space for yourself – whether it be through dough-kneading, cross-stitching, or the wise words of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Transparent Note

Tool | by Rozga Wotjek

You know you’ve reached peak adulthood when the idea of transparent notes is exciting.

The aptly named “Transparent Note” is an app where you can set the transparency of your notes, so you can focus on note-taking instead of switching windows.

This is *perfect* for when you’re interviewing or presenting. If you’d like to see it in action, check out this mega-viral TikTok showing how it works.

Note: We’ve linked to the free Mac version, but there’s also a Windows version available for a small cost.

Written by Alice Lemée