Amplification Buddy, What?! Here are 3 ways to step it up as one!

“I don’t shine if you don’t shine.”

—Aminatou Sow & Ann Friedman

If you don’t know what I mean by being an “amplification buddy” - it simply means being an endorser of someone’s?work, character, contributions, skills, etc.

Amplification became a thing in 2016?when the women on Obama’s staff started to repeat and credit each other’s ideas?as a tactic to get noticed and lessen the chance of their ideas getting stolen.

It's also known as??Shine Theory, coined by Ann Friedman, journalist, author, and co-host of the?Call Your Girlfriend?podcast), which is “a practice of mutual investment in each other.”

When I first?wrote about amplification?in 2019, I wrote it from the perspective of getting yourself one of these buddies.?

Today, I want you to BE one of these buddies for one or a few people you respect in your career sphere.

I have three ways for you to step it up in this department.

Note: You can spread out your amplification. It doesn’t all have to go to the same person. Especially if you don’t know them super well. It could look a little creepy.?

Three ways to step it up as an amplification buddy:

?1) Go on LinkedIn and leave someone a recommendation.?

And no, I’m not talking about a generic “they are a hard worker” recommendation. I want you to mention nitty-gritty details. What stellar characteristic makes this person stand out to you? What did you specifically work with them on and what were the stakes? What was it about their work style that makes you remember them? Share it!

One of my best LinkedIn recommendations is from Marjorie Zettler, PhD, MPH - check out how specific it is!??

2) Find a piece of content that you didn't create and share it with an awesome caption?about why someone else should check it out.??

If the person you're amplifying is a a content creator (e.g. they write posts/articles on LinkedIn, they written a book/e-book/article, have a podcast, produce videos, etc.) -?this should be pretty easy.

At a loss for words? An easy way to write a caption is to pull out a quote that stood out to you and say why.

2a) You can also leave them a review wherever would be valuable to them.?

This could even be a note to their supervisor!

Today I got an email from a friend who has written a book asking her network to leave reviews on Amazon and I absolutely did. I wish I had before she asked, but so it is. If they have a business, leave a Google / Facebook review. If it’s a podcast, leave them a podcast review. You get it.

3) Give them an opening to talk about themselves.?

If you work with this person, publicly endorse them by teeing them up to speak about a project they’ve been working on.

“Lindsey was just telling me about how great [project] is coming along - tell us more!”?

Note: You may want to let them know you’ll be doing this so they’re prepared to make the most of the moment. Some people don’t like the spotlight sprung on them!?

If you don’t work with them, email to ask if they’re looking for any particular connections right now and how you can help make an introduction. Let them know you’re a fan of what they’re up to and you’re looking to pay it forward by getting the word out them.?

Keep amplifying.

Lindsey Lathrop (she/her) is an ICF-Certified Coach, Gender Equity Consultant, Speaker, and Top 100 Global?#IamRemarkable?Facilitator. As a coach, she helps women work smarter, not harder by building negotiation and self-promotion skills. Learn more at?lindseylathrop.com.