Help docs, tiny receipts next to steps that reduce tickets

TLDR

Place one sentence quotes in empty states and at known blockers. Add a three line snippet beneath steps like domain, calendar, and checkout. Embed a short captioned clip for the two hardest tasks. Repeat the same claim on your landing page. Track completion rate, time on step, and ticket volume per article. Refresh monthly.

Why this works

Docs aren’t only instructions, they are moments of doubt. A concrete result with a source shows the step is worth finishing and cuts back-and-forth with support.

Where proof belongs in docs

• At the top: one sentence quote that matches the outcome of the guide.
• Under a blocker step: a three line snippet, before, action, after with timeframe and source.
• In the “Troubleshooting” section: a 30 to 60 second clip with captions.
• In empty states: two short quotes under “no data yet.”

Patterns that read fast

• One number, one timeframe, one source in line, GA4, Stripe, CRM.
• Quotes under 120 characters.
• Clips under 60 seconds, captions on, autoplay off.
• Link “See all reviews” to the proof wall, not a raw file.

Copy you can paste

Doc opener quote
“Setup finished in one afternoon, first leads the next day.”, Ana, Agency Owner, 2025-06-12

Snippet under a DNS step
“Cold list, poor inboxing.
Set warmup and branded links.
18 percent reply rate in 21 days, inbox screenshots.”

Clip label in Troubleshooting
“Calendar routing, no shows to 72 percent show rate in 30 days, CRM export.”

Placement examples

• Domain guide: snippet after SPF, DKIM, DMARC headings.
• Calendar guide: quote near routing rules, clip in troubleshooting.
• Checkout guide: snippet under the “one page” step, plus a clip for Stripe test mode.
• Migration guide: short proof at the top, five step plan with a snippet after step 3.

Minimal data model for docs

• doc_slug, step_id, module_type, quote or snippet or clip.
• source_name, timeframe_days, consent_text, screenshot_id.
• position_above_fold yes or no, last_refreshed_date.

Tracking to wire

• doc_step_view, doc_step_complete, proof_view, snippet_view, ugc_play, ugc_complete.
• Attributes, doc_slug, step_id, module_id, module_type.
• KPIs per article, completion rate, time on step, tickets per 100 views, refunds at 30 days.

Maintenance rhythm

• Weekly, add one proof line to the top 1 article by tickets.
• Monthly, replace three stale items and retire three weak ones.
• After plan or pricing changes, recheck snippets the same day.

Guardrails

• No superlatives, no “typical” wording.
• Names and logos only with permission, otherwise first name and role or anonymize.
• Redact screenshots, store consent text with each item.
• Remove any item within 72 hours of a request and confirm.

Targets

• Step completion up 10 to 20 percent on guides with proof.
• Tickets per 100 views down 15 to 30 percent on those guides.
• Time to first value down 10 to 20 percent in cohorts that used proof-rich docs.

Troubleshooting

• Readers skim past proof: move the line closer to the button and shorten it.
• Clips get few plays: stronger thumbnail, keep 30 to 45 seconds, captions on.
• Pushback on claims: add “view source” links with redacted screenshots.
• Layout slow: serve WebP images, defer players below the fold, preconnect the CDN.

FAQ

How many proof items per article
One quote at the top and one snippet or clip at the hardest step. Two total is enough.

Do I need video in every guide
No. Use a clip only for steps with repeated tickets. Start with quotes and snippets.

Where should I show the source
In the line, GA4, Stripe, CRM. Never in footnotes.

How do I measure impact
Track step completion and tickets per 100 views before and after adding proof. Read paid at 30 days for users who viewed the article.

How often should I refresh
Monthly. Replace anything older than 180 days and after product changes.