In a recent Inside Edge PR post, I outlined my philosophy of why I write recommendations for as many of my LinkedIn contacts as possible.
In this post, I share some of the how.
My approach to writing recommendations:
1. I do it whenever I feel I have enough knowledge and interaction with someone to write an endorsement with conviction and authenticity.
2. Periodically, I review the list to see if there is anyone whom I’ve not yet recommended but whose horn I could toot without thinking twice.
3. I try to do it in batches, getting myself in a recommendation-writing mode.
4. I try to provide enough detail that will be useful to both the person I’m writing about as well as those who are seeking to learn more about them.
5. I try, sometimes less successfully than others, to avoid cliches, fawning praise, and long-winded opuses.
6. Where and when appropriate, I like to interject some humor.
7. Here’s a new step: I just began to offer to put my words in writing, on my company letterhead, if someone wants it. I also ask if there’s anything they’d like me to revise, or add, that may be of particular help (as long as I believe in the change).
8. I do it without asking for a recommendation in return. If someone decides to reciprocate, I appreciate it. But this isn’t about obligating others to gush about how wonderful I am.
For a look at the recommendations I’ve made on LinkedIn, go here.
This is a good post and inspired me to start with LinkedIn recommendations. But the biggest challenge I faced was writing 'good recommendations' because I am not that good in creative writing. I was looking for some reference which can help me improve and found this wonderful book,"101 LinkedIn
Recommendations"(http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OL2N4M). It helped me and hence sharing with all with hope that it will help others.