Most LinkedIn members are familiar with personal Recommendations. There is another type of LinkedIn Recommendation that is less familiar – Product & Services Recommendation on a LinkedIn Company Page. Both types enhance credibility. Here is an overview of each one:
Personal Recommendations: Prospective new clients often ask for references. One easy and powerful way to serve this request is using personal Recommendations on LinkedIn. It is easy because the process is all-digital and always accessible. There is no need to update time-frozen spreadsheets. It is powerful because the Recommendation is shared virally across the referrer’s LinkedIn network. This multiplies the exposure and the credibility for a Recommendation. Here are two ways to get Personal Recommendations:
1. Give One First: Browse your Connections with an eye for someone whose work you can genuinely recommend and who experienced your work in return. Remember, LinkedIn is a business network so we are not looking for character references (“Jim is as great guy.”). Recommendations should be about a person’s work (“Sally is the best PR person I’ve ever worked with. She really knows how to get her clients in the press.”). To give a Recommendation, view the person’s Profile, click the works “Recommend (their name)” just above the ad on the right hand side. A window will pop up asking you whether you are selecting them as a:
a) Colleague (worked at same co.)
b) Service Provider (you hired them)
c) Business Partner (worked together but not as a client or colleague)
d) Student (you were at school together)
Select one, write your Recommendation, and send it. The receiver will have the chance to accept it as, ignore it, or return it to you to ask for an editing change. The genius of LinkedIn is that once the receiver accepts your Recommendation of them, LinkedIn asks them if they would like to return the favor. The Principle of Reciprocity results a high percentage of return Recommendations for you.
2. Request a Recommendation: Often a mutual recommendation situation does not exist with someone that could provide you a great Recommendation. A typical situation is when the other person is your customer. In this case, just request it. Just go to the Profile tab and select “Recommendations” from the drop-down menu. You will go to the Recommendations page where you can build your request according to:
a) What position (role) you want to be recommend for
b) Who you will ask (up to 200 Connections at a time)
c) Your message (customizing default message is strongly encouraged)
Product & Services Recommendations on LinkedIn Company Pages:
Products & Services Recommendation are requested like in # 2 above, but before requesting one, a LinkedIn Company Page with a Product and Services Section must exist. Company Pages are like the LinkedIn version of a web site. They are typically managed by a company’s Marketing department. Along with text descriptions, Products and Services pages can include graphics, videos, promotions, links, and other common website features. The Sales Foundry’s LinkedIn Company Page includes sections for Speaking, Corporate LinkedIn Sales Training, On Demand Videos, Webinars, and Private Coaching. Unlike testimonials on the company website, however, Products & Services Recommendations have the advantage that the positive information spreads throughout the recommender’s LinkedIn network.
Isn’t that what social selling is all about?
See an example here and make a Recommendation if you have experience one of The Sales Foundry’s services: http://linkd.in/NcqYzz
