Since Endorsements have been added to LinkedIn some are raving while others rant. Which side of the fence are you on?
I think understanding how these compare to the familiar, and still functioning, Recommendations may be helpful. Recommendations are LinkedIn’s name for the traditional testimonials that we enjoy giving and receiving. Recommendations can be copied and placed with your testimonials on your website and in marketing materials. Recommendations are given by customers who have used your services or bought your products.
Endorsements, on the other hand, are social referrals given by people who may or may not have used a specific service or bought a product. If someone asks you who you know that does X you would say, “Call Polly at JR Resources. I’ve heard from friends that she does that. I’ve never worked with her directly but hear good things about her.” Or you may say, “Carol is my consultant you need to contact her, too.”
Remembering that Endorsements are socially driven will aid you in sifting through and clue you in on needing to do your due diligence when/if you follow through and contact someone. This doesn’t mean that an individual can’t do a great job just that an Endorsement carries less clout than a Recommendation.
Did you know that the higher number of Endorsements you have for a specific skill the higher ranking you will appear in both LinkedIn and Google searches for that skill? It’s true. This may also be what’s spurring many to endorse skills like crazy…also in hopes that a reciprocal Endorsement will be returned. While reciprocal endorsing isn’t required it does seem to be a trend.
If you want to jump on the Endorsement bandwagon than take a moment to review the person’s profile and read about their work experiences before clicking the Endorse button. Only endorse things that you see they’re doing in their current career as this is what it will benefit them the most or things that you know of firsthand, if it’s someone you’ve worked with. Whenever possible avoid endorsing every pop-up suggestion that LinkedIn throws up for an individual IF you haven’t already checked what they do on their profile page. You may be endorsing someone for public speaking, as it has happened with me, and that person hasn’t done public speaking for over 7 years.
So, is it worth your attention or not? Only you can decide. It truly depends on how you use LinkedIn for your networking, job searching, and if your potential customers are searching LinkedIn for the skills you have listed on your skill lists.
I’d be curious to know if you are raving or ranting. Share with me.
