5 TIPS TO SOCIAL PROOF YOUR INSTAGRAM GROWTH STRATEGY By Nicole Healy

Do you ever wonder why some people instantly purchase from a brand without any questions asked, they seem to rake in all the sales and are super successful as a business. This comes down to social proofing your business.

What I find is some people just solely rely on Instagram to build their business, thinking if they just post a few reels, a few photos and use a bunch of hashtags they will instantly grow their salon to be thriving, and even though Instagram is an amazing tool, it’s not the only tool you need in your marketing growth strategy!

There is 5 things you need behind your Instagram strategy to build trust with your audience and the world around you, people will find you on Instagram through hashtags, a re-share, or even on the explore page, then they research you, your business, read about you, google you, see what others experienced, when they visited your business, they do so much before making the purchase or booking.

Just say a potential customer finds 3 balayage specialist salons in your location, which one will they choose from? They all look amazing on Socials, their content is amazing but only 1 out of the 3 salons is able to be found on google, has reviews and a website, that makes them the trusted source.

Why is Social Proofing a valuable part of your business building?

40% of consumers find new brands to follow based on recommendations from friends.

91% of consumers read online reviews before purchasing from a business 82% of consumers ask for recommendations from friends and family before making a purchase.

Here are 5 Tips that will help you to social proof your salon!

EXPERT OPINIONS

This is when someone promotes your business on social media or in the media through a publication, blog posts, on a website, featured in an article hand-picked as a “best e.g., Best Blow dry in your area” or award winner / finalist from entering an Industry Award.

INFLUENTIAL PERSON

This can help your business to reach more people when a celebrity or influential person recommends and buys from your business.

Having a well-known and trusted person with a huge reach on social media can help organically for business building and exposure.

CONSUMERS

People who already buy from your business are the most loyal of all, they give word of mouth recommendations to their friends and family and even tell the ladies in the nail salon, cafes and at the park about where they get their hair done.

Them also tagging you on social media on either their stories or feed posts, allows more family and friends to see where they went - simply ask your clients “ I would love if you could take a selfie and post to Instagram or Facebook and tag us!”

When someone simply recommends your business by tagging your @ handle gives you instantly increases your exposure by 88% - if you don’t have a social media strategy in place - you need to start TODAY!

Post on Social Media regularly, ask your customers to tag you, have signs in your salon asking your clients to follow you on socials!

TESTIMONIALS

Potential customers will read your review before booking a service, this is just common behaviours and I’m sure you read them too before you buy from a business too. If you’re doing this and you don’t have any reviews for your business, you could be missing out on new customers!

If you struggle to get people to leave you a review, simply ask your customers when they’re leaving or ask your loyal customers while they’re sitting in your chair - it will give them something to do whilst their hair is processing.

You can use these testimonials on your social media and website too, by creating beautiful tiles on the website / app called Canva.

Having Social Proof is a KEY part of business building when using Social Media as a marketing tool for your salon.

For more social media tips, coaching and education services follow me on Instagram or like me on Facebook @social.salon.school

Online Coaching and In Salon Education available.