How to Say Thanks with a LinkedIn Recommendation

At the start of a month it is a good time to reflect on the previous month. What worked well, what needs adjusting and who went over and above?

Thank those who made a difference in your world by picking up the phone, dropping them a note or email, or write them a LinkedIn Recommendation - you will make their day!

Where is the Recommend Feature?

Go to the person's profile and hit MORE and select RECOMMEND.

Next select the type of relationship you had with them and the position they were in at the time.

Next write the recommendation. Easy!

LinkedIn Recommendation Writing Tips

You can write directly in this box, but I prefer to write the copy outside LinkedIn, wherever you work, such as Word, Pages, Google docs, Evernote.

1. Firstly it means you won't lose your copy if your internet crashes, as there no way to save the draft in LinkedIn.
2. Secondly, unless you have a spell check plug in such as Grammarly installed, it is important to ensure it is typo free (as it is a reflection of your personal brand).
3. Lastly, you have a back up, which you may use as a base next time (tip - save time by creating systems).

What are you going to say to make an impact?

Start with a powerful statement as the first few lines appear on the recommendation preview. This could include your own positioning and context, to inspire people to read more.

The more specific you an be about what this person did well for you the better, without breaching any confidentiality. The recommendation will be more helpful if it talks to how the persons helped you, what their point of difference is, the impact they made on your career/business, and their style of communication or delivery.

Writing in a conversational tone, in your brand voice helps the reader get to know you and understand more about you, and your relationship with them.

Use the right words and phrases to fit the person's brand. Use your language to discuss the problems, but use their terms to embed the solution. It demonstrates that you understand them and are capturing their skills, talent and energy well.

It is easy when you write from the heart and with purpose.

LinkedIn Recommendation Examples

Let's start with some average examples that can be improved.

This is positive but vague example that doesn’t add much value as we want to know what he did to help the person giving the recommendation. What set him apart? And why?

Bob's honest, personable approach and fantastic work ethic separates him from his competitors. I would recommend him without hesitation.”

This one goes into more detail. I get a deeper understanding of Bob and the difference he made through these words.

In addition to being a highly skilled and focused Project Manager, who consistently demonstrates great attention to detail at all times, particularly when scoping project requirements, designing solutions and delivering successful outcomes, Bob also ensures continued channels of engagement for communicating information across the project community and to business stakeholders. ”

Add in the WHY and SO WHAT

To allow the reader of the recommendation to connect with the person you are writing about, capture the WHY and SO WHAT. The benefit is the reader will also relate to you, and may end up reaching out.

Remember the Recommendation shows up on both the giver and receiver's profiles by default, so the words are important to both parties.

Great Recommendation Examples

Here are some fabulous examples from my own profile:

Erica starts with where she was, her expectations and outcomes. She mentions the delivery style, and format.

Karen starts by letting the reader know who she is with a clever connection to what I do via a linked word. She then shares some of the things I covered and ends with her business name.

Ian wrote with specific measurements of the results he received after working with me. He mentions the timing, the dollars and return on investment, plus how I work and why me.

Recommendations don't have to be long and detailed, they can be short and punchy. Andrew (one half of Andrew and Pete) wrote with personality, stating what and where I delivered, how it was received by his community and why others should book me. (So glad I wasn't boring!).

Jim writes with personality, allowing the reader to get to know him. He starts with a concise statement which he unpacks and references again. He mentions the event, some of the takeaways, and his understanding go the content plus the outcome.

Emma starts with telling us who she is and what she was looking for, and how I fit in. She mentions the event and the value of attending.

Kimberly is concise and mentions the specifics - our relationship, the event, and that she wasn't local, and the outcome. She starts with a powerful, relevant statement (which will show up in the preview).

Kon, a Melbourne based photographer has cleverly positioned himself while paying it forward. His bold statement comes later in the piece, along with the solution to his problem and the results he gained form the experience.

Feel free to check out more recommendations on my profile, and look at people in your network who have some. Unfortunately we cannot link to that section, or to the individual recommendations (yet), so it is a matter of scrolling down and hitting See More to see them all.

ACTION : Who Will You Recommend?

To make this task easier, get started, create a process and build giving recommendations into your business practice.

Make it fun, create a challenge and make it a habit. Challenge yourself to start using social media and LinkedIn to lift others and give thanks in an authentic way.