July 1, 2010 84 Comments

LinkedIn Recommendation Tips

LinkedIn is a great business social network. The crown jewel of its services is the great reputation engine, fueled by LinkedIn recommendations you write for others. As much as your own recommendations matter, it’s just as important that you recommend others. Here are some tips to what makes a great LinkedIn recommendation.

Only Recommend People Whose Work You Can Vouch For

I’ll say this once: if you recommend someone and can’t really vouch for their work, you’re just setting your own reputation up for a blow. Don’t do it. LinkedIn and I disagree in the area that I’ll link to anyone (are you and I LinkedIn? Connect with me and use linkedin @ chrisbrogan . com as my email address). But I’ll never recommend someone whose work I don’t know enough about.

Lead With Strong Language

No, not cussing. Lead with the strongest thing you can say about the person. “Gerry is a clutch player in the world or project management.” When I said that, I wanted people to know that you had a real anchor player in Gerry. Not just “a sufficiently skilled project manager,” but a “clutch player.”

Start with the best possible thing you can say about the person. If you can’t say anything particularly strong, you might reconsider whether you’d recommend them.

Be Brief, But Be Useful

People don’t want to read Moby Dick. They want to know what others say about their prospective new hire, or their potential new customer. Be brief and pack it full of value.

What’s useful? Using Gerry as my example, I’d say about Gerry: “Gerry is a strong communicator, and gets his point across simply. He knows how to pad a schedule, but keep the project tight. Gerry gets disparate teams together to execute with great success.” All of these things, said of a project manager, will improve Gerry’s potential hiring, and will tell his manager what you think.

If You Want to Convey a Negative

Of another person’s recommendation, I added the following gently-couched negative statement, “_____ isn’t always clear in what she needs. She sometimes needs encouragement to draw out details that might be useful to the execution of the project.” I did my best to make this sentiment clearly an issue, but didn’t crush the person. I didn’t say, “____ is too shy and mumbly to successfully convince people to follow her lead.” The first would be a bit kind to her; the second a bit harsh.

And again, if there’s a reason you wouldn’t recommend the person, don’t.

Turning Down a Recommendation

Sadly, I’ve had lots of experience doing this. If I follow you on Twitter and have commented on your blog here and there, I still don’t really know just what kind of marketer you are. I just can’t tell someone to work with you, if I don’t have much experience with you as a colleague.

Here’s how I word those rejections of a recommendation:

“Hi _____ –

I’m honored you asked for a recommendation. Thanks for thinking of me. Because I haven’t worked enough with you professionally, I fear my recommendation wouldn’t be useful. I simply can’t vouch for your work experience beyond our casual interactions online. Best of luck in getting some stellar recommendations.

–Chris…”

You can use a variation on that, if you’d like.

Recommendations Work Two Ways

I can’t tell you the number of times that my recommendation of someone else got either me or that person a new hit for a potential project moments after it got posted. Recommendations show up in the network updates, so people connected to either of us see them. That in mind, it makes for a great potential success builder.

They work in two ways because it shows what you value in others, and it also obviously works for the person you’ve recommended.

Questions?

What else can I tell you about recommendations on LinkedIn? Do you have a few you can leave to others? Swing by LinkedIn and leave some recommendations for people who can use them.

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  • Juliansummerhayes

    Chris

    I still have a major problem with the way LinkedIn is set up. Like you I believe that the gateway framework that they have is wrong:

    “How do you know [name]?

    Colleague
    Classmate
    We’ve done business together
    Friend
    Other
    I don’t know [Name]”

    By the time you have got to the bottom three you might as well not bother and even the first three don't make sense and could be counter-productive. What happens if a colleague or more likely a former colleague decides not to accept your request? Where does that leave things? My view is that it should be open and you should have the ability to decline without necessarily giving a reason.

    As to the recommendation facility, it is used really badly. You either get the approach of “let me tell you how good you are, if you reciprocate.” No, No And No. It is not a trade. They should be unprompted and feel like a gift or something of value. There is also the LinkedIn proponent who thinks that by having 100s of recommendations that people will think they are the best of the best. Actually I think the opposite. I think if someone has had that many recommendations that something is wrong or they certainly look insecure. A few *strong* ones are far better than gazillions. I would also like to see embedded videos or a link with the recommendation; that would just bring things alive. How about going deeper as well and asking for a 360 appraisal of your product or service – a sort of straw poll. Not sure how you would do it but at least that way it might seem a bit more representative. Great post Chris.

  • http://dannybrown.me Danny Brown

    If I have to add even a smidgeon of a negative statement (even one as layered as your example), I probably just wouldn't recommend, period. People can take negative statements too literally, and then you've just ruined that person's standing.

    Much rather leave none at all over one that leaves more questions.

    • John Barleycorn

      I completely agree! A recommendation is not a performance review and is not supposed to “balanced”. If you have reservations that must be expressed you should not be recommending that person. The person receiving this will also rightly consider it a blow. There may be repercussions you would avoid if you politely declined the request.

  • http://dannybrown.me Danny Brown

    If I have to add even a smidgeon of a negative statement (even one as layered as your example), I probably just wouldn't recommend, period. People can take negative statements too literally, and then you've just ruined that person's standing.

    Much rather leave none at all over one that leaves more questions.

  • http://www.amisampath.com Amisampath

    Based on these guidelines, would you recommend me? :-) Just kiddin. These are all helpful tips. I especially follow the rule “only recommend people who's work you can vouch for”. This is the golden rule, which will safeguard the quality of LinkedIn reputation engine.

  • http://carlnatale.com Carl Natale

    Since I am one of your “link to anyone” connections, I probably shouldn't criticize. But I will say that I rarely connect to someone I don't know. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation at a networking event. (We actually did meet so I'm not violating my policy) I do link to a couple people who I want to know better and form a relationship with. I have some frame of reference or know something about them.

    I don't think either of us is wrong. You have a clear, well thought out strategy that can go into a “blue book” that works for you. That's important.

    I want to be able to give some info about anybody in my network if asked. It's not a recommendation. Just info.

    But to your points about recommendations, I'm with you 100%. This makes your recommendation worth something. And I needed your tips on actually writing them. For some reason I get writer's block when doing them. I need to get over it. Thanks. This will help.

  • Carla Bobka

    A helpful suggestion to encourage those you ask for a recommendation – in the request for endorsement, remind them of what you did well for them and ask them to reference those points. This serves 2 purposes: it jogs their memory to the moment in time you worked together and the fab outcome the experience brought them. And second, it speeds the time to actually write the rec, which many people dread. They can jump off from your suggestions rather than starting with a blank screen.

  • http://twitter.com/VelChain Dave Lutz

    I like to recommend that people who want a recommendation from a specific connection, write one for that person first and hope that they will reciprocate. Obviously,

  • http://twitter.com/VelChain Dave Lutz

    I like to recommend that people who want a recommendation from a specific connection, write one for that person first and hope that they will reciprocate. Obviously, you don't want to do this with someone that can't speak from experience and be authentic. As someone who used to have a boatload of employees, I get recommendation requests via LinkedIn often. Not too many people think about writing a recommendation for their boss, but hey those folks are important too.

  • http://www.reachpersonalbranding.com williamarruda

    Great post, Chris. Recommendations make LinkedIN stand out from other social networks. From the personal branding perspective it is extremely powerful because it adds to your credibility – one of the most important “C's” of branding. More about LinkedIN for personal branding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldiHylXrhzs

    Best.
    William
    http://www.personalbranding.tv

  • http://www.storagevillage.net Sherrie Bakshi

    This is very insightful. I agree with the recommendations part. I do try to recommend people who recommend me, especially since the people I have asked are those that I have positive working relationships. Thank you for your thoughts.

  • http://www.MarketingProfessor.com Travis Campbell

    Chris-

    Thanks for sharing this piece. Turning down recommendation requests can be tough, but you've made it easy in your example.

    Quick thought for introductions to potential connections I've found useful: find recommendations they've written and reference that as a part of the connection request. This can serve as a great conversation starter. Something like: “Bob, I noticed your glowing recommendation on Julie's profile when you worked together at ABC Company, very well said. How have things been shaping up at 123 Company?”

    Regards,
    Travis

  • http://twtrcoach.com TwtrCoach

    Hi Chris.

    I enjoyed your LinkedIn articles. Another good one here.

    I focus my recommendation on the groups I participate in. And if you check out how LinkedIn now have streamlined Groups this make the job easier for me.

    And it is a lot like you tell in your books, give with an open hand and you will start receive back. But I don't give an recommendation just for the sake of giving it, or expecting recommendation in return. Then that would effect the quality of my recommendation.

    I agree with some here that the setting for recommendation on LinkedIn is not the best, and there is room for improvement there. I am sure this will come.

    And we still want to keep the professional image of LinkedIn, so I would not rush them to do unwanted changes.

    Cheers.. Are

  • http://www.carolynwinter.wordpress.com Carolyn

    Chris – first of all THANK YOU!!!!!! for trying to unravel the value of Linked In over the last few weeks/month. I am in that category of late joiners for all things social media and my Linked-In account was started by default from clients sending requests as well as from Facebook. I took the time 2 years ago to set things up and try to understand it getting a book from the library and going as far as I could with it before feeling that questions get lost in a sea of questions, and network updates for me soon become white noise I rarely read, and recommendations for the most part striking me as in authentic “I'll write one for you if you write one for me.” YUK

    Would love to hear more stories about how Linked-In is helping people in their business. Is it just one of those things you do to be seen, give credibility etc? Exactly how much actual business gets generated on Linked In.

    Your recommendation guideline is helpful. I am looking forward to more of your posts in this area.

    With appreciation for all you do!

    Carolyn

  • http://thinktankmen.com Michael Van Osch

    Nice piece Chris, excellent examples for us all. Also have found that just going ahead and doing reco's for people I really believe in (have worked with) without them asking is a nice way to re-engage and /or show appreciation.
    cheers, Michael

  • Alexandra_levit

    Hi Chris, quick question. Have you seen any data on whether employers actually look at LinkedIn recommendations when considering a hire?

    Alexandra Levit
    Business and Workplace Author and Speaker
    http://www.alexandralevit.com

  • http://www.indiebusinessblog.com Donna Maria Coles Johnson

    Great post! I especially like the graceful way you let someone know you did not have what you needed to make a recommendation. That reply may have stung for a minute, but in the long run, people will understand that recommendations are only credible if they can be backed up. One recommendation based on wanting to be nice can eventually call all of the recommendations into question, and no one wants that. Thanks again!

  • http://www.indiebusinessblog.com Donna Maria Coles Johnson

    The system could be better, that's for sure. I hope they improve it. In the meantime, I have enjoyed referrals due to recommendations I have received via LinkedIn, and I am told that people I have recommended have been contacted for work as well.

  • http://impulsemagazine.net Impulse Magazine

    LinkedIn is a powerful resource if you know how to use it

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/UJKBCP2YEX24FS2P2SDQIADRNM Janet

    There's a definite need for honest, brief recommendations. All too often they either read as a novelette or have little of substance. Or, they are obvious back-scratchings. Not that there's anything TOO wrong with that ….

    I also like to see different kinds of recommendations, e. g. if in one the subject is mentioned to be a good writer, in the next it would be good if they were mentioned as being a good analyst, etc. If five people tell me you're nice to work with, that's, well, nice, but I still have no idea if you're a decent Java programmer.

  • Mari Anne Snow

    I would also add – stick to the skills and the actual business results you know this person produced. General comments or personal opinions weaken the recommendation as it focuses on the personality, not the actual skill sets the individual brings to their work. If you want a recommedation to mean something, give the viewer the chance to assess the potential value of the person you are recommending by giving the facts in an objective, straightforward manner.

  • http://www.rosssimmonds.com/ TheCoolestCool

    Agreed. Like momma always told me, if you aint got nothin' nice to say….don't say nothing at all.

  • http://twitter.com/kyleplacy Kyle Lacy

    Yes, simple and to the point. Thank you. A recommendation shouldn't take me 20 mins to read.

  • http://social-capitalist.com Juliana Crispo

    I like what you point out about how recommendations on LI work in two ways. Never really thought about how it shows what I value in others. Great points.

  • stewartb2b

    LinkedIn is a great resource for reputation management. To maintain a polished and positive reputation seek recommendations from someone who can speak favorably of your skills and how you have applied them. When I review a LinkedIn profile I scan the recommendations looking for those who have first hand knowledge of the persons skill sets I am looking for.

  • KarenSwim

    Chris, I have been using LinkedIn for years well before other social media platforms. I had never sought recommendations but received them from those who had actually worked with me…same rule I followed. I was surprised the first time I received a request from a social media contact for a recommendation and knew we'd officially entered a new age where we need to remind about business etiquette. I would never ask anyone to link their reputation to mine without knowing me and what I can do. I take recommendations seriously and because my own business has been heavily based on referrals I understand the power of creating trust. Your post graciously handles all of these new situations and I appreciate having a source to offer up as a guide. Rest assured I will never ask you for a recommendation but I may indeed hit you up for a comment. :-)

  • Angela

    ***TYPO**

    In the section titled, Be Brief, But Be Useful ->”communcator”

    ***TYPO**

    Excellent article

  • http://twitter.com/videoBIO_TO videoBIO_TO

    Great post on LinkedIn. I was recently asked to Endorse someone and I couldn't do it. I just don't know that person well enough. Thanks for the helpful example of how to turn someone down in a kind and gentle way.

  • Betty Kanne

    Not only employers, but certainly recruiters rely heavily on credible recommendations in forming an opinion of a potential candidate. Job history may describe where you worked but favorable recommendations help paint the picture of just how effective you were in the job. Job seekers do well to ask for linkedin recommendations from former supervisors, peers, and direct reports.
    Betty Kanne
    Executive Senior Partner
    Lucas Group
    In Partnership with The Wall Street Journal
    Phone: 949.660.9450 ext. 125
    bkanne@lucasgroup.com
    http://www.lucasgroup.com
    linked in profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bettykanne

  • http://www.jimgrayonline.com Jim Gray

    great post regarding linkedin…a place that i like, but am often not sure of…most of the work that i've done in the past year was thru someone in my network, but most likely not via linkedin…that being said…i've stopped joining the groups since they do nothing but fill up my inbox…

    so…after reading this post i'm convinced that maybe i need to take another perspective…i'll let you know where i end up…

  • http://www.jimgrayonline.com Jim Gray

    awesome, great insight!

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  • Alejandro

    Hi Chris:

    Very useful your article. I have a question. I usually advice LinkedN members about matters of my expertise (Accounting and Taxing), I´d like to ask for a recommendation after a free advice (Sometimes involving research from me). Is that correct? Is It appropriate to include a new job as “Adviser”, so They may include recommendations there? Thanks.

    Alejandro G. Rodriguez
    http://ar.linkedin.com/in/arodriguez61
    @Rodriguez_Alej

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  • http://www.e-mphasis.com Clare Rayner

    You might also be interested in an article about linkedin recommendations we recently shared – about the “chain of credibility” that backs up the recommendations received! See this… http://www.wallblog.co.uk/2010/07/01/improving-…

  • Leslie Hetherington

    Great article Chris. LinkedIn's recommendations tool can also be a more effective way to acknowledge a past employee's strong performance than a corporate reference letter, which is sometimes scrutinized down to a generic statement. I also think it's important for recipients to acknowledge the recommendation with a thank-you (to sustain goodwill), which is not always done.

  • http://www.goshorty.net/ ShortyInDaHouse

    I never thought about reciprocity until I received a from a colleague requesting one. After I did it, I continued business as usual, and received a message from LI notifying me that I had a recommendation.

  • Joan Stewart

    Thanks for a good article. Recommending must be an honest appraisal of someone with whom you have worked, or has done work for you. If people venture into recommending others in order to gain a reciprocal recommendation, it takes the positive influence out of the system. So by being honest with oneself not accepting adhoc recommendations, you won't leave yourself open to being questioned on your own integrity.

  • http://twitter.com/VincentWright Vincent Wright

    Good article, Chris. But, since you asked about what else you can tell up about recommendations on Linkedin, here are a couple of quick thoughts:
    1. Rescinding recommendations…Like you, I've been on Linkedin since its early days. In that time I've met tens of thousands of great men and women. I've recommended a couple of hundred people. Out of that couple of hundred, once in awhile, I come into circumstances where I wish I could rescind a recommendation – that without having to completely terminate the connection on Linkedin. (People go through changes and may not be able to perform up to their earlier levels of performance.)

    2. Though I'm happy to connect with you on Linkedin, I'm surprised to see you say that you'd connect with anyone. I'm somewhere in between you and Linkedin on this one. For example, 1.) years ago I wrote on a forum of my now called Social Media Consortium about my discover of a “1,500 Year Old Man Found on Linkedin”. It was clearly a bogus profile where one person indicated that they'd worked at 150 different companies for ONE HUNDRED YEARS EACH. For me, I won't connect with this type of person – under any circumstances. 2.) Another type I won't connect with is the type I call “tollgaters”. This kind will not pass on forward requests without payment. and 3.) finally, the third type I won't connect with is those who threaten to “out” you if you don't accept everyone they recommend to you So, though I think that Linkedin's premise is too strict, I also think it's important to not get caught up in going to the complete opposite extreme of “having” to connect with everyone. Even a restaurant will occasionally refuse service to those who prove detrimental to other patrons seeking to enjoy its services.

  • sue_anne

    I love that you mention to lead with the strongest statement first. There are two reasons why this is important – a) it's just good writing and b) LinkedIn includes recommendations “snippets” in a couple of different places, and it's only the first 20 or so words that show up in those snippets. If you fill that with “I worked with Gerry at company x where he was position y and I was position z”, that's what's going to show up and be less useful for the person you're recommending.

  • MaMatttt Clayton

    I dont like the “ask for a recomendation” function, or even the idea of it. I believe that if I am suitably impressed with someones work then I will recommend them without prompting, and I would like to think that others would reciprocate when impressed with my work.

    Sadly I seem to be alone, or at least in the miniority in this.

    • http://twitter.com/Really_Useful RUTD

      I agree, It always seems a little gauche when someone asks directly for a recomendation. I prefer to choose how and when to recomend people.

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  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Chris, I really REALLY love how this article is focused on recommending other people and not finding a way to get recommendations for yourself. While the latter is also really important, it's just as important to reach out and help other people too.

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  • Bonshaff

    I'm glad I read this post. Several people had asked me to join LinkedIn and I refused. As part of a social media class I am currently taking, I had to join LinkedIn. I can see why some of these people are where they are. What you do in life makes a difference and a strong recommendation goes a long way.

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