The Ultimate Guide on How to Ask for (and Write) a Great LinkedIn Recommendation

As a LinkedIn copywriter for business leaders, one of the first thing I encourage my clients to do is ask and give recommendations.

Why? Because as consumers, we invest more confidently, knowing others have done it, too.

That’s why knowing how to ask for (and give) outstanding LinkedIn recommendations is a best practice for building your brand’s credibility. When potential customers suss out your LinkedIn profile, those recommendations will reassure them they’re in the right place!

A well-written LinkedIn recommendation will highlight your skills, character and the results you help clients achieve. But where do you start? And how can you get LinkedIn recommendations that sell your services for you?

Let’s dive in!

Identifying Who to Ask for Recommendations

Receiving great LinkedIn recommendations begins with knowing whom to ask. Start by identifying the people in your network who can vouch for your skills and contributions.

Consider reaching out to:

• Clients
• Coworkers
• Collaborators
• Employees
• Mentors

These are all people who you’ve interacted with in a professional capacity. Your clients, colleagues, employees, and collaborators know what you’re like and what you have achieved. Ask them to share something about what it was like to work with you.

The aim of having recommendations on LInkedIn is to paint a picture of what it’s like to work with you and to reassure them you’re the right person for the job.

How to Ask for A Great LinkedIn Recommendation

Asking for a recommendation on LinkedIn can sometimes feel like a big ask, but it’s all about the approach. In my experience, clients find it helpful when I give them an outline of what I’m looking for. 

Here’s how I ask for a LinkedIn recommendation:

Hi, [Name] I would really appreciate if you could write me a recommendation on LinkedIn. If you need some inspiration on where to begin, here are 3 questions to guide you.

1. What challenges were you facing before working with me?
2. How did you feel while we were working together?
3. Since working with me, [fill in the blank].

Thanks again in advance!

Providing a template eases the task for my clients, saving them time. It also ensures I receive testimonials that accurately convey the value of working with me.

My questions create a journey highlighting the transformation I helped my client achieve. This way, when a fresh lead reads the testimonial, they visualise going from frustration to the desired outcome.

Writing an Outstanding LinkedIn Recommendation

Writing a recommendation on LinkedIn for someone? Follow the same outline I shared above. 

Begin by describing the challenges you faced before working together and conclude by describing the outcomes of your collaboration. Are there any quantifiable results you could mention? Be sure to include those too.

Finally, add some details highlighting the person’s character to give your recommendation a personal touch.

How to Download Recommendations from the LinkedIn App

Did you know you can download your LinkedIn recommendations right from the app? 

This feature is fantastic for creating social media content, as you can copy and paste the text into any post or design you create.

Go into your settings and select “Data Privacy” to request an Excel file with all the recommendations you’ve received to date.

Best Practices for LinkedIn Recommendations

To wrap up, here are a few best practices:

• Be specific in your requests and your writing. The more detailed a recommendation, the more impactful.
• Regularly update your recommendations. LinkedIn recommendations are time-stamped, so you want to keep them fresh.
• Spread the love! Offer recommendations within your network whenever you can. 

Let’s Recap

If you’re invested in growing your brand on LinkedIn, receiving recommendations is critical to build up social proof.

The more detailed the reviews you receive, the more context potential clients have about working with you.

Remember! LinkedIn reviews are time-stamped, so request recommendations on an ongoing basis. Finally, what goes around comes around, so leave great recommendations, too!

Hi, I’m Julia! LinkedIn Copywriter