Social proof is a powerful tool for authors looking to build credibility, attract readers, and enhance their visibility – and there are many social proof examples that authors can use, both on and off their websites.
What is social proof? Social proof psychology says that if people endorse something, others will be more likely to buy it.
So how does that work with books? What are some social proof examples for authors?
Let’s take a look.
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12 Social Proof Examples for Authors
Here are some tried-and-true social proof examples that you can use for your books.
1. Amazon reviews
Book reviews are the best examples of social proof for authors. If you don’t have reviews, not very many people are going to be convinced to read your book!
This is why at selfpublishing.com, we help our Elite Authors by getting them at least 100 Amazon book reviews for launch day. We do this by building up a big launch team for an author’s book and giving everyone advanced copies in exchange for an honest review.
When you have book reviews on Amazon, people are far more likely to buy your book.
2. Goodreads reviews
Amazon isn’t the only place to get book reviews. If you have a launch team leaving you reviews on Amazon, you can ask them if they would post a review on Goodreads as well. These are great social proof examples for authors.
Many people organize their TBR lists based on Goodreads reviews. If there aren’t a lot of reviews – or those reviews aren’t very good, you might have a harder time getting people to read your book.
I know personally that when looking for books, I read more Goodreads reviews than Amazon reviews. It seems like people on Goodreads are a little more harsh with their criticism, and you can get a truer read on the book.
If you have a 4.0 rating or above on Goodreads, you will be set for pulling in more readers!
3. Posting past speaking engagements
Being a public speaker gives you a certain amount of authority in your niche. If you have previous public speaking engagements, you should post videos on your website as social proof examples.
People will be more likely to buy your book and listen to what you are saying if they know other people have been listening to you too.
Elite Author Mike Acker does a fine example of this on his website. He has a full section of his home page dedicated to past speaking engagements.
4. Featured in banners
Mike Acker has lots of social proof examples on his website. In addition to using previous speaking engagements as he also has a banner that displays where he and his book have been featured. This is a great example of social proof on your website.
Showing where your book has been featured gives you a lot more credibility as an author.
5. Author testimonials
If a famous author has read your book and left a review or short blurb about it, you can do a lot with their comments! Some authors choose to put authors testimonials on their author websites, some put them on the Amazon product description, and others put them on the books themselves!
6. Putting book reviews on your website
Book reviews are one of the very best social proof examples for authors – and they don’t just have to live on Amazon! If you have great Amazon or Goodreads reviews of your book, you can post those reviews on your author website just like Brittany Plumeri did.
7. Featured badges
If people see a badge on your book, no matter what that badge is for, they will be more likely to buy it. That’s the silly truth of these social proof examples! Because of this, we offer “featured on selfpublishiing.com” badges to all our Elite Authors so they can have a badge on their books.
Of course, there are lots of badges your book could earn, such as a New York Times Bestseller badge, or a “soon to be a major motion picture” badge! These work as great social proof because obviously lots of people liked your book!
8. Guest forwards
Next in our list of social proof examples is getting a well-known author to write a forward for your book. This can significantly enhance your reputation, as it works as an endorsement from that author.
9. Instagram and TikTok reels
Reader-generated content such as “BookTok” videos or Instagram stories with your book can have a huge impact. Getting BookTok reviews or Instagram mentions are great social proof examples, especially for younger generations.
10. Hashtags
Creating and encouraging a unique hashtag can build a community around your book, allowing readers to share their thoughts and experiences with it. See if there is a hashtag that works for your book and let the social proof examples flood in!
11. Sales milestones
Displaying sales milestones like “Over 10,000 copies sold” can create a sense of legitimacy and desirability. If you have lots of copies sold, or lots of book reviews on Amazon, you can post these milestones to boost your credibility.
12. Book clubs
If your book is selected by a well-known book club, such as Oprah’s Book Club or Reese’s Book Club, it acts as a massive stamp of approval. Make sure to mention this on your website or your Amazon KDP product page.
Still working on your book?
If your book is still in the ideation or editing stages, or you simply don’t know how to market it, our team can help. At selfpublishing.com, we’ve assisted hundreds of authors in creating the book of their dreams.
And, if you have a business, then writing a book is the best social proof ever! Reach out to our team today to see how you can make the next bestseller list.