When booking a hotel or looking for the best restaurant nearby? What's your natural reflex then? Checking reviews, indeed. Why? Because people buy from people and the opinions of those who have gone before you give you confidence. Because that's the only thing you really believe. Don't you?
Credibility. That is exactly the power behind LinkedIn recommendations. Authentic words are perhaps the most powerful part of your LinkedIn profile. Unfortunately, often also the most absent.
Okay, but getting recommendations, that's not in our hands, is it? Yes and no. Writing our own recommendations and openly begging for compliments is indeed not the best strategy. Still, you can undertake a few things yourself. Our tips:
1. Set a good example yourself
Giving something yourself without asking for anything in return. Yes. It may not earn you anything directly. You surprise and inspire with it. And that is where it starts.
There are two ways you express your appreciation for a collaboration with a colleague or partner.
-
- Endorse skills
- Giving recommendations
They are two separate parts of a LinkedIn profile. Skills endorsement, With this, you emphasise the skills that someone has selected for themselves. You confirm that this person is effectively good at a well-defined skill. Recommendations on the other hand, work just like reviews. You write what you want to share with the world about what it is like to work with this person. You won't find the info more honest anytime soon.
Recommendations on the other hand, work just like reviews. You write what you want to share with the world about what it is like to work with this person. You won't find the info more honest anytime soon.
2. Getting recommendations
Can you ask for recommendations yourself? Yes indeed. In certain cases, it's a matter of heading in with a cross. For example, have you successfully completed a project? Are you looking back on a collaboration that everyone is proud of? Suggest complimenting each other with a heartfelt recommendation on LinkedIn.
Did you receive an unexpected compliment from a customer, colleague or supplier in your mailbox? Ask if they would like to share their experience on LinkedIn. Nothing weird about it.
How to ask for a recommendation
LinkedIn makes it easy to make connections to invite a recommendation write. Here's how it works:
-
- On your profile, go to the recommendations section and click on the 'plus'.
- Then choose the 'ask for a recommendation' option.
- In a few steps, you invite your contact to write a recommendation.
- Important: make sure you are connected to the person you are asking for a recommendation from.
- Received a recommendation? Then you have to approve it before it appears on your profile.
Get info that really counts
Want to help your contact pass on relevant info? Then send some questions along with the invitation. For example: What did you like about our collaboration? How did you like my approach? How did I make a difference? That way you collect recommendations that are valuable and clear.
3. Start today
But first things first: write your first recommendation today and make an indelible impression. Let Compliments Day be a great occasion. Better yet, make it a habit to spice up the collaborations you appreciate with thoughtful and heartfelt words.