Using Social Proof to Find the Best Debt Relief Solution
The internet makes seemingly endless information about debt—and ways to get rid of it—available in seconds. The positive way to look at this is that consumers can take control of their own financial destiny more so than ever before. But there’s still the challenge of sorting through the information to decide what’s legitimate. And, even out of your legitimate options, there’s still the task of choosing the best solution for you based on factors like how much debt you have, how much income you make, the type of debt you carry, etc.
Fortunately, consumers are never alone in asking these tough questions about debt and seeking solutions. Most people in America owe money—around 80 percent of U.S. consumers carry debt. This includes millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers. It also accounts for a variety of types of debt ranging from mortgages to student loans, medical bills, credit card debt, personal loans, etc.
You can learn from others’ journeys toward debt elimination, starting with using social proof to find the debt relief solution that best meets your needs.
The Power of Social Proof
First, it’s important to understand the psychology of social proof. Here’s one basic working definition: “The influence that the actions and attitudes of the people around us (either in real life or online) have on our own behavior.” When people see others doing or saying something, especially en masse, they’re more likely to think it’s correct.
It’s only natural to be skeptical of things you read online—especially when you’re looking up debt solutions. Many offers will sound too good to be true. Others will seem downright confusing at first. One way to wade through this swamp is to use social proof as a guide.
Ask yourself: What are other people saying about their experiences with a certain program? Use real consumers’ ratings and reviews to help you assess your options. Take note of how many reviews there are and consumers’ feedback. If you’re considering debt settlement as an option, look through the more than 6,500 Freedom Debt Relief reviews on Best Company to see what verified enrollees are saying about this program in particular.
Using social proof as a metric will give you insight into others’ experiences so you can get a feel for a solution before signing up yourself. As one popular phrase states, there’s safety in numbers. Treat finding the ideal debt relief solution for you just like you would shopping for any product online: See what people are saying, both positively and negatively, before you commit yourself.
Always Avoid These Debt Relief Red Flags
The testimonials of other consumers go a long way in providing insight into the quality of a debt relief solution, and they can also help you know what to expect if you do decide to sign up. Furthermore, understanding debt relief red flags will help you know what to avoid like the plague.
Be aware of “red flags” as you’re researching your options. Avoid organizations that:
- Charge you an up-front fee before actually settling any debt.
- Provides “guarantees” they can get eliminate your debt.
- Promises it can put an end to collection calls or lawsuits.
- Only provides important information about its services if you provide personal or financial information first.
Final Thoughts
Using social proof can help you vet various debt relief options based on what other real consumers are saying. This allows you to learn from their stories, helping you avoid possible missteps and adjust your expectations accordingly. The internet puts thousands of ratings and reviews at your fingertips so you can make the best choice for you when it comes to debt relief.
