Getting Linkedin Recommendations
Don’t Be Casual
Do not take the task of getting Linkedin Recommendations casually! When you started your Linkedin presence, you started with goals on how you want this program to fit into your personal and business life. If the Recommendation section on Linkedin pages is the second most review part on any Linkedin page, then you want to make your Recommendations to fully support the goals you have for your Linkedin program. Think of your Recommendations as pillars that support your Linkedin bridge.
Get Recommended
Linkedin provides you with a simple process for getting Recommendations. Before you start you should determine what type of Recommendations you are looking for and from whom you want to get those Recommendations. For some Recommendations, you may need a two step process. The person who could give you a wonderful recommendation may not be on Linkedin. So first go through the process of having them join Linkedin so they can give you a Recommendation.
To start the process go to your Profile page, Recommendation Section, and click on Get Recommended. You will be brought to a new page. Then click on Request Recommendation. Here you will be asked to choose what you want to be recommended for? Find the option that best suits your purposes. Then you are asked who you want to ask for the recommendation? You can ask up to 200 Linkedin participants. You then are invited to create your message.
This is a critical piece. People will give you want you want, if you ask them. Left on their own people will generalize and give you glowing remarks that may have little to do with your goals for Linkedin. Share with them what you would like to hear from them. Ask them to be specific, talk about your strengths and responsibilities and the specific results or benefits you produced.
This may make you feel uncomfortable because you are asking other persons to do you a favor. Why not ask them to do the favor that will benefit you the most? A simple statement like, “It would be helpful if you could tell people about, XYZ and how you achieved XYZ because of my products.” People actually appreciate guidance from you. It makes their job of writing a Recommendation that much easier.
Even if you are sending a Recommendation request to a number of Linkedin participants at one time, they each will receive an individual invitation.
Revisions—The Extra Step
When you receive a Recommendation, you are given the opportunity to make revisions. Use this opportunity. If there are revisions you would like, ask the person to make them and suggest what you want done. Take this extra step. People will cooperate especially if you share with them what you are trying to accomplish on Linkedin. In a job interview, I once checked some references the person gave and when they were not glowing comments, I moved on to other candidates. You want your Recommendations (since you help create them) to put you in the best possible light.
Manage Your Recommendations
Clicking on Get Recommendations will also show you a page that keeps track of Recommendations made and received. You are given several ways to manage your Recommendations.
Ongoing Recommendations
I tell small business owners to make getting testimonials for their business an ongoing effort in their business. You can never have too many customer testimonials. I give the same advice about Recommendations. You can never have too many Recommendations. Always be getting fresh Recommendations.
Remember each time you add a new one all your connections are notified that you have received a new Recommendation. If you did this once a month, your name would be visible in front of your connections. (Al Hanzal has received a new Recommendation) Your connections will see it and many would click on it to see what it says. All while you are sleeping!!
To be continued, your comments are welcomed…
Al Hanzal
Tags: Linkedin Recommendations