Too often we aren’t convinced about facts until we experience them firsthand. Kind-of unfortunate but true.
Here’s a recent incident that gave me a live demo of
People try something new if they know other people are also trying it. Aka social proof.
On the way back from Goa on the highway, we were looking out for a place to have dinner. Nothing interesting seemed to come by and we were getting hungry. We decided to stop at the next dhaba we see whether or not we like it.
And stopped we did.
This was a sleepy Rajasthani dhaba with one table occupied in the corner (truck drivers I guessed without being too judgemental). I even hesitantly asked “khana milega kya” and the waiter non-chalantly nodded as if to say “isn’t that what dhabas are for? fooood”.
Now things started to get interesting. In the 25-odd minutes we took to order, eat and get out… the place came alive!
We were one car. One car only, when we walked in.It was 7 cars in 25 minutes. Almost all tables full.
That’s the power of social proof. So next time if you’re starting a restaurant or cafe, pay your friends to sit and drink your coffee for a week or two. And ask them to act as if they’re having the time of their lives. :D And watch new customers come in.
Same goes with any other kind of business.
It’s not cheating. It’s just strategy. That’s how people work.
Customary photo of Bagheera :P