You’ve probably heard how important testimonies of people who have already used your services are for potential clients. One such testimony is a recommendation on LinkedIn. Do you know how to ask for recommendations from people you have worked with?
What would make you appear more credible in the eyes of your potential customers?
Recommendations on LinkedIn from your contacts that can honestly warrant for you and your services.
The more recommendations you have on LinkedIn and the more specific each one is, the greater your ability to build trust with potential customers.
Remember that recommendations on LinkedIn differ from opinions on websites, which are often untrue. A recommendation on LinkedIn is a direct link to the person who recommends you, which gives them more value in the eyes of your profile readers because they can check the person who issued the recommendation.
The value of your customers’ testimonials
LinkedIn Recommendations are a powerful way to validate your ability to deliver results for your clients.
Usually, your customers’ testimony shows how others trusted your business, used your services, and got the results they were looking for. It tells about your personal qualities as well as your skills. This dramatically increases your credibility and authority.
It’s important to include this type of testimonial on your LinkedIn profile. Fortunately, LinkedIn has made it easier by adding a recommendation section.
Do you think the number of recommendations would have an impact on the potential customer considering your services?
The answer is YES.
Think of it this way: Would you hire a Marketing Consultant who has two recommendations on your LinkedIn profile or one who has over 100 recommendations?
How to Request LinkedIn Recommendations
Every good salesperson or business owner will have two things behind him: he will achieve significant customer results and understand the importance and strength of references. When people are in doubt about a decision, they look at choices others have made to help them make up their minds.
Make it easier for potential customers to find this information by trying to have at least five good recommendations on LinkedIn in your profile.
How to get LinkedIn recommendations
While your goal should be to have a lot of great recommendations, there are better and worse ways to get them.
We have prepared 5 ways for you to increase the chance of getting a recommendation on LinkedIn. Thanks to these tips, you will not waste time on ineffective tactics, and more importantly, you will not harm your personal brand.
1. Don’t ask for recommendations from people you haven’t collaborated with
You’ve certainly been asked to give recommendations from people you barely knew on LinkedIn. Probably your answer was negative.
While some people may be willing to give you a recommendation in exchange for yours, even if you don’t know each other (or don’t know each other well enough to write a recommendation), it is a big risk to your credibility.
First, a positive recommendation on Linkedin should be reserved for those who deserve it. Second, there is a danger in referring someone who may prove unworthy of the command. This can affect your credibility and brand on LinkedIn.
Remember that high-quality LinkedIn recommendations help grow your network of contacts.
Examples of people you may want to ask for recommendations include previous or current employers, clients, colleagues, associates, industry colleagues, and industry leaders.
The best way to ask for LinkedIn recommendations is to state why you’re asking for them, which leads us to the next step.
2. Personalize your LinkedIn recommendation requests
When asking someone for a recommendation on LinkedIn, DO NOT use the default message. Instead, customize both the subject and the message body.
Better yet, send them a message first asking if they would be willing to give you a recommendation.
There are default messages for many LinkedIn features, including recommendation requests, but we do not recommend using them. Always customize your messages, including recommendation requests.
3. Do not make it difficult for others to give recommendations
When you ask people for a recommendation, a few things can prevent them from doing so. Even the most satisfied customers who would like to give you something like this may not write it.
To have a much better chance of getting a recommendation, try to make it as easy as possible for the person you are requesting. You can do this by providing them with sample recommendations that they can use or modify as they see fit.
Don’t send the same sample recommendation to multiple people. Otherwise, you may receive several identical commands. Instead, make each example relevant to the experience that the client has had with you.
4. Don’t hesitate to ask for a recommendation
Let’s say you just completed a project for a client or conducted a workshop for a group. Often you will get immediate feedback on your work. You can turn that feedback into LinkedIn recommendations very quickly.
Whenever you receive some form of recommendation or praise in an email or private message, give thanks and ask for the same to be written as a recommendation on Linkedin.
5. Convert references into recommendations on LinkedIn
Ask your satisfied customers who have previously sent you testimonials if they would be willing to share their opinions in the form of a LinkedIn recommendation.
When they agree to give you a recommendation, it will be so much easier for them that they won’t have to think about what to write. Just copy and paste the feedback the customer previously wrote for you into their recommendation request.
Case study and recommendation on Linkedin
When your client is satisfied with the service you provide, see if you can turn his experience into a case study. Case studies provide a more in-depth look at your knowledge than LinkedIn opinions or recommendations. They emphasize the specific results your client has achieved and how you have achieved common goals.
Case studies can be very effective when potential customers are looking for more information on how you can help them and the results they can expect from working with you. Of course, no two projects will have identical results, but it gives them a much clearer picture of what to expect.
How to send a request for a recommendation on LinkedIn
First, go to the profile of the person who agreed to recommend you on LinkedIn. Click More… to the right of the Message button. Remember that these must be first-level connections for them to be able to give you a recommendation.
Select Request Recommendation from the drop-down menu.
When this field is displayed, select the relationship from the drop-down menu options (for example, Jennifer was your customer). Then select your position at this time.
Now add your message and include the review they previously wrote for you.
If they never wrote you a review, include a sample or provide specific suggestions for what they can write.
Remember: you want it to be as easy as possible for them. Don’t give them a reason to put it off – help them take action immediately.
After writing your message, click Send:
You’ll receive a notification when a client recommends you. Then, LinkedIn will ask you to accept the recommendation and add it to your profile.
The Importance of LinkedIn Recommendations
A complete and professional profile with recommendations that showcase your knowledge and experience will greatly increase your chances of getting more contacts and attracting more potential clients from LinkedIn.
The recommendation on LinkedIn is very valuable because users know they are coming from a real person because the recommendations are tied to the referrer’s profile. Too many people use fake testimonials on their websites, so they aren’t as trusted as much as LinkedIn’s recommendations.