How and Why to Get Recommendations on Your LinkedIn Profile

The very foundation of social networks is to stay in touch and support one another. Today, they have also become powerful tools for business communications. But to make the most of this platform, you first need to know the various features available to you. In this article, we will focus on a free technique for boosting your image: recommendations.

Although they are not deeply embedded in French culture, recommendations are crucial for reinforcing the credibility of your profile and setting yourself apart from the 10 million French members on the platform. What others say about you will carry far more weight than anything you write about yourself in your own profile. But recommendations are not easy to come by. That is why we are going to look at how to obtain them and how to word your request.

If you would like more comprehensive information on how to create a LinkedIn profile that converts, I invite you to take a look at our e-book. Simply follow the step-by-step approach to become a true social selling professional!

What is a LinkedIn Recommendation?

Having a well-crafted LinkedIn profile is one thing. Being recommended by your connections is quite another — especially in a society where reviews play an important role in the customer decision-making process. To date, there are two types of recommendations on the platform:

• Keyword recommendations: keywords are limited to 50 and allow you to highlight your skills. Your skills appear on your profile as broad headings, showing the number of people who have endorsed you and the fields they come from.
• Written recommendations: these are undoubtedly the ones that will carry the most weight in your clients' decision-making. They provide additional information about your business within a specific context. It is also worth knowing that the commitment a person makes by writing a recommendation is greater, since their own profile is displayed alongside it.

What are the Benefits of a LinkedIn Recommendation?

A Growing Culture of Reviews

Purchasing trends are greatly influenced by customer reviews. Everything can be rated, and many people rely on external opinions — perceived as impartial — before placing their trust. LinkedIn allows you to display recommendations from identified, and therefore verifiable, users directly on your profile. This applies to client-supplier relationships just as much as a traditional employee reference letter.

A 2.0 Reference Letter

It pays to move with the times. The platform allows you to obtain a 2.0 version of the good old reference letter — all the more relevant since it can be rather awkward to slip an A4 sheet into a job application when nobody quite knows what to do with it. So consider reaching out to former managers for recommendations to solve this problem. A written recommendation gives you a much broader resonance, notably by being visible to everyone who visits your profile.

What is more, personal branding is a phenomenon that can no longer be ignored today. Clients need reassurance before getting in touch. Recommendations therefore make perfect sense, especially when they come from credible individuals such as former clients, for example. That said, be careful — more is not always better! Use them sparingly and avoid recommendations from colleagues. Prioritise high-value-added recommendations, such as those from clients or line managers. So how do you go about obtaining them?

How to Get LinkedIn Recommendations

There are not many ways to obtain a written recommendation. Either your contact enjoyed working with you and, at the end of your assignment, writes you a LinkedIn recommendation — or you have to make the request yourself.

• Making a request
  This request is not necessarily easy to make cold, especially in a culture where asking can feel slightly awkward. Nevertheless, LinkedIn has a tool that lets you send a recommendation request to encourage your contacts to leave positive feedback. The platform first allows you to get in touch with the desired person. That person can then recommend you on your profile and also within their own network. Ideally, you should make this request while the experience is still fresh, right after delivery of your work or the end of your assignment. If the person is not keeping an eye on their LinkedIn notifications or simply has a busy schedule, you can follow up with an email — but be mindful!

As for who to approach, it is preferable to reach out to former managers, colleagues, or clients. Conversely, avoid requesting recommendations from old friends, close relations, or your N+5. This seriously lacks credibility in the eyes of clients or recruiters. Tip: to make a request, simply scroll down to the bottom of your profile. Once you reach the recommendations section, click "Request a recommendation" at the top right. Enter the name of the person you wish to send the request to and personalise your message.

• How to write your request You have the ability to select the people from whom you wish to request a recommendation. The aim of this process is to explain to the recipient why you are asking for a recommendation, and also to guide them to make writing it easier — by reminding them clearly of the service provided and the key points encountered during its delivery. Pick up on any expressions of satisfaction they may have shared with you verbally… Here is a template you can adapt: Dear Mr/Ms {surname}
  I am currently working on my LinkedIn profile to develop my business, and in that context I wanted to ask whether you would be willing to write us a recommendation regarding {service or deliverable, a particular aspect encountered during delivery, a reminder of what the client appreciated about you and told you verbally…} Reviews are very important today for reassuring prospective clients, and yours would help us greatly.
  Thank you in advance, and I remain at your disposal for any further information.
  Kind regards, To summarise:
• people rely heavily on reviews, so obtaining LinkedIn recommendations is essential
• request recommendations by explaining to the recipient why you are contacting them and guiding them to make it easier for them to write.

Showcasing Your Recommendations

If you have a website, it can be worth sharing the recommendations you have received. Ideally, they should be readable with a link to the client's profile or website and a visual (photo, logo).
Your newsletter can also occasionally feature a client testimonial. This always strengthens credibility, but once again, be careful not to overdo it.

There you have it — you now have all the tools you need to boost your attractiveness and grow your network!

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