Email

Turn UGC and reviews into a social proof email

Tolstoy picks the strongest creator videos, UGC and reviews for one product story and turns them into email sections, video placement, subject lines and tests.

Works with: Shopify, Tolstoy AI Player, Klaviyo or another email platform

Creator-style customer photo used as social proof

What you need

  • Creator videos and UGC in your Tolstoy library
  • Real customer reviews, quoted as written
  • The product or collection the email is about

What you get

  • A ranked list of proof points, each with its source
  • Email sections, subject lines and video block placement
  • A short test plan

How it runs

Tolstoy runs this playbook in 5 steps.

  1. Collect the proof

    The agent reviews your creator videos, UGC, reviews and product facts, and asks only for what is missing, such as the product to feature.

  2. Rank the proof points

    It picks the proof that answers real purchase questions, such as fit, results or ease of use, and names the source of each point.

  3. Build the story arc

    It orders the email from the shopper’s question to the proof to the product, with one section for each proof point.

  4. Place the videos

    It recommends where the Tolstoy video block goes and whether a tap opens the product page, the Tolstoy player or the original Instagram or TikTok post.

  5. Plan the tests

    You get subject line options and a short list of tests that each change one thing, such as the first proof point or the video placement.

Check the result

  • Compare each quoted review with the original: the words are the same, with no edits and no merged quotes.
  • Each proof point names its source, and every creator video in the plan is in your Tolstoy library.
  • Each section answers one purchase question about the featured product, such as fit or ease of use.

Know the limits

  • It prepares the plan and copy only. You build and send the email in your email platform.
  • It uses only proof in your Tolstoy library or proof you give it. You confirm that you have the rights to use each creator video in email.

When to use this playbook

Use it when creator videos and reviews sit unused outside your ads and product pages, or when a product sells well once shoppers see it in use but your emails show only studio photos. The agent turns that proof into one structured email instead of a collage of quotes. For other places user content works on an online store, read five ways to use UGC in ecommerce.

Get better results

  • Point the agent at one product or one collection, so every proof point answers a question about the same thing.
  • Run the subject line test first. It needs no new content and shows which proof point gets attention.

The prompt

“Run this playbook” opens Tolstoy with this prompt as a draft. Pick your products, edit anything, then send it.

Help me create a social proof email using my creator videos, UGC, reviews and product context. Use what is already in my Tolstoy library and catalog, and ask only for what is missing, such as the product to feature or my email platform. Recommend the best proof points and the source of each, the story arc, the email sections, where the Tolstoy video block goes, subject lines and tests to run. Quote reviews word for word; do not edit, combine or invent reviews, ratings or customer counts. Use only creator content that is in my library. Prepare the plan only; do not send email or change a live flow.

FAQ

What is a social proof email?

An email that answers a buyer’s doubts with what customers and creators say about the product, not with brand claims. Each section shows one piece of proof, such as a review or a creator video, next to the product it is about.

Should the email lead with video or written reviews?

Use both, each for its own job. A creator video shows the product in use, and a written review confirms a detail, such as fit or results. Put the video where it answers the main doubt, and the review right after it.

What if I have reviews but no creator videos?

The plan can use written reviews alone. Import creator content to your Tolstoy library later, and add the video block when you have videos to show.

Run it on your own catalog

Start free, connect your store, and Tolstoy opens this playbook for you. You review every result before anything goes live.