15+ Examples of Social Proof for Artists & Creative Projects

In the past, I’ve shared that the biggest marketing secret was word-of-mouth.

No matter how fancy your photos, reel, or website are, all it takes is one person saying…

“OMG! You have to hire this person.”  ✅

-or-

“OMG! Do NOT hire this person.” 🚫

Since we’re focusing on launch marketing this month, I want to fast-forward to when you’re wanting to sell one of your own creations.

When the time comes that you’re looking to sell your book, concert, album/single, film, retreat, etc… my recommendation is to amplify word-of-mouth marketing, which is called…

SOCIAL PROOF 🤩

Your buyer is subconsciously asking, “Am I stupid for spending my time and money on this?”

Create safety by showing others have said yes before them — proof their investment is a smart decision!

It makes sense, right? When we see a line of people waiting to get in somewhere or purchase something, it lends an air of excellence and creates desire. We’ll also choose the restaurant with a 4.8 rating over the one with a 4.7.

Social Proof for Artists

Featured Work

• Resist the urge to publish everything - lead with your latest and greatest. 
  That being said, I’ve seen some artists be too picky with what they present. Two audiobooks are better than one. One television appearance is better than zero.

Client Example: Current Projects at TeganSummer.com

• Highlight your role in projects.
  Whether in text format on your résumé or shown in the captions of media, I encourage my clients to lead with their character names. In theatre, this might mean listing  “Juan Duarte” instead of “Ensemble.” In film and television, this might mean listing “Pam” instead of “Supporting.” I know this is the opposite of industry standards for some… but differentiation is a great thing in business! To counter arguments, Meryl Streep wouldn’t list “Lead” or “Supporting” on her latest credit. Honor the work you’ve done on creating a role - no matter how big or small. 

• Highlight the production company and creative team.
  Recognizable names help people feel safe choosing you.

Client Example: Featured Credits at AnthonyRobertGrasso.com

Strategic Bio

• Start with credibility.
  If possible, start your bio with “_____ is an award-winning ___”. Even better, quantify those awards “____ is a three-time Jeff Award winning ____”.

• Limit your lists.
  Use terms like “Recent/selected/featured credits include…” or “Perhaps most known for….” because it implies you have a much larger body of work… even if you’re only leaving off a few credits.

Client Example: Short Biography, Awards, and Selected Credits at StefTovar.com

Showcase Press

• Highlight reviews.
  Share what the critics have said. Broadway shows put this above the show title on their websites and everywhere possible. Model their choices by showcasing your reviews in multiple places: homepage, bio, email signature, etc.

• Highlight press.
  Show where you’ve been featured or interviewed. You can list these in text format, but it can also be good to create “logo proof” with recognizable media brands.

Client Example: Critic Reviews & User Reviews on DanaBlack.org

Social Proof for Service Providers

• Showcase Credentials.
  Did you train with someone, get certified, or earn a degree in this area? Make sure you showcase this. If you’ve earned “badges” from industry software or become a member of an industry organization, you might consider mentioning this.

• Showcase Celebrity/Influencer Endorsements. 
  Lead with recognizable names and faces. If Oprah trusts you, obviously we can, too!

Client Example: Celebrity Endorsements/Testimonials from MikeRuckles.com

• Showcase Testimonials.
  If you don’t have celebrity endorsements, real people work well, too! When it comes to formatting testimonials, I’d suggest adding first and last names (or shorten to the last initial if privacy is needed). Adding photos as well as the person’s location or job title are also great additions. Any extra bit of information helps people trust these are real reviews.

• Display 5-Star Status.
  See if you can generate a five-star rating by seeking reviews through Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Yelp, Etsy, etc. While we don’t pay for TrustPilot, I’m able to say “5.0 rating based on 100+ reviews.”

Personal Example: 5.0 status from JoinEmailExcellence.com

• List Impressive Stats.
  Beyond the number of happy reviews, can you list other impressive numbers:

  • # Years in Business

  • # People Served

  • # Monthly Traffic/Sales

Personal Example: Stats from TonyHowell & Co.

• Share Case Studies.
  That’s a fancy business word for showcasing individual’s results. Can you share a before and after — whether visual or simply celebrating the success of former/current clients?

Client Example: Custom Experience by Flaweless

Social Proof for Products & Productions

• Showcase Reviews.
  Lead with impressive words from the critics. I’ve seen plenty of Broadway productions and creative teams cherry-pick only positive words from negative reviews… use what ya got!

Client Example: Acting Reviews at KateFuglei.com

• Showcase Video Testimonials.
  This is super effective and not difficult to create. Ask people to share their thoughts on camera and edit judiciously just as you will for the critical reviews.

Client Example: Audience Reactions to Escape to Margaritaville from JulieTomaino.com

• Showcase Press.
  If a media company invested time and money showcasing you, share it. It conveys you’re worthy of attention.

Client Example: Featured Press at CaraLianneMcLeod.com — NEW Website & Music Coming Soon!

• Showcase Logo Proof.
  Are their sponsors, partners or press you can highlight? List financial partners with a headline such as “Presented by…” List your press in logo format with a headline like “Featured by…” or “As Seen On…”

Client Example: Sponsors & Partners at TruthValues.org

• Showcase Laurels/Awards/Nominations.
  Mention the nods you’ve received from various festivals or award ceremonies.

Client Example: Laurels/Awards/Nominations from SarahBierstock.com

• Showcase “Best Sellers” or “Most Popular.”
  Is there a specific item, date, or time you can list as the crowd favorite? It adds trust!

Client Example: Most Popular at CharyWilliams.com

• Showcase User Reviews.
  Can you add a widget that allows people to provide a star rating and review? If Squarespace Reviews don’t work for what you’re selling, you can always lean into Facebook, Amazon, or other large tech companies.

• Showcase User-Generated Content (UGC).
  Encourage your audience to post on social media! Create an insert or provide a photo opportunity. Showcase this UGC to incentivize future audience members to try and get their posts featured, too!

• Install Nudgify!
  I love this app to add recent sign-ups, purchases, reviews, and other "signals” to our sites. I’m a proud affiliate and recommend it if you’re selling anything. Very affordable, simple to set up, and world class tech support.

Personal Example: Social Proof on JoinEmailExcellence.com