Many CEdMA members requested a follow up from the LinkedIn profile session at the 2019 CEdMA Training Leadership Conference in Nashville.
Here are the answers to your questions:
Who to Ask
Almost anyone can write you a recommendation. I have recommendations from colleagues, supervisors, clients, college professors, even people I volunteer with. A fellow CEdMA members who served on the Board alongside you can most definitely attest to your leadership skills!
Where to Ask
Personal email, hallway conversation, phone chat, Slack… chose the medium that best fits the relationship you have with the person you’re approaching. You’ll know what feels right. But always follow-up by sending a formal LinkedIn request for recommendation. Why? Many willing recommenders are simply not familiar with this LinkedIn functionality; making them look for it is a barrier to success. Let them know that you’ll follow up online, and they’ll find a link in their inbox.
How to Prepare
Before you approach someone for a recommendation, first decide what skills or areas of your expertise you want them to promote. This is critical. Too many people lob an open-ended request and wonder why they never get a response. I’ll tell you why:
Pick one to three skills and areas of expertise that you want to showcase; make the task easy, keep the ask small, give them an out, and then watch the recommendations roll in.
What to Say
Avoid using the generic LinkedIn language. Personalize your note and keep it short. Include one to three skills or areas of expertise so the writer can quickly focus. And give them an easy out – casual language and a loose timeline takes the perceived pressure off. Here’s language that I often use:
“Sarah, thanks for agreeing to write a recommendation for me. As I said, I’m just looking for a sentence or two about my ability to deliver social selling training that actually moved your salesforce to action. There’s no real rush – anytime in the new few weeks would be great. And if for any reason you’re uncomfortable moving forward, please – no worries, there others I can ask.”
The Most Important Tip of All…
Your job is to ask. That’s it. Then you LET GO of the OUTCOME!
What does it mean if they don’t respond? ABSOLUTELY nothing. They’re busy. They don’t trust themselves to do a good job. They’re looking after a sick child or parent. Their own job is in jeopardy. They forgot. They feel clumsy on LinkedIn. They remembered, had an idea of what to say, and then they forgot again.
It’s never ever about you. I promise, okay? Just ask and let the people who know your awesomeness help you tell your story.
I hope you find this framework helpful. If you have any questions, referrals or ideas just drop me a line at Sima@SimaDahl.com or ring 312-884-1888 – I’m here to help!
Sima Dahl is a branding visionary who will revolutionize the way you think about generating demand for you and what you do. Her early career as an award-winning marketer paved the way for Sway Factor™, her ground-breaking approach to self-promotion that helps strengthen business and employer brands too. An award-winning keynote speaker, corporate trainer and coach, Sima has graced stages from Boston to Budapest and worked with clients for to Zebra Technologies to help people and businesses grow. With bold candor, unfiltered honesty and her signature charismatic style, Sima will challenge you to stand out, stay relevant, and be in demand. Learn more at SimaDahl.com.