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Would YOU Endorse Me? | A LinkedIn Controversy

Would YOU Endorse Me? A LinkedIn Controversy

No, I'm not asking you to.

You can, of course, if you wish and feel it's deserved, but that's not the point.

If you are on LinkedIn (you are, aren't you? It's your on-line professional resume. If you're not you'd better get there), you no doubt know about recommendations. You likely have some, and probably have shared a few as well.

You can request that someone endorse you, perhaps with the hope they will reciprocate
Or you can be proactive and recommend someone without them asking (how cool is that?)

According to LinkedIn, "A Recommendation is a comment written by a LinkedIn user to advocate a colleague, business partner, or provider of a professional service including service providers who are not LinkedIn."

Who doesn't like to get a recommendation that will be in the public eye?! We all like to be endorsed by others, don't we?

But what happens when you get a request, such as the one I got today... "Will you endorse me?" It was from someone I have connected with - I know the company, have seen this person on-line, but admittedly do not know them well enough to feel that I can truly endorse them. No offense, I just don't have the info to be specific and heart-felt.

There are plenty of folks I know who I could endorse but simply have not done so. My bad, since I don't have a good excuse. But they deserve it and I would recommend them without reservation.

Would you endorse someone who asks if you don't know them well, or perhaps not at all, other than the fact that you have connected on-line?

Do you make recommendations in order to, perhaps, get one in return?

Do you ask people to recommend you, even if you don't truly know them?

Is this age of the Internet and social media, where on-testimonials, likes, friending, and being connected are so highly prized, one has to wonder...are these attributions and connections becoming diluted?

Do people take them seriously or is it becoming part of the social media game?

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Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Homes for Sale ~ 760-840-1360 on 08/21/2010 12:02 AM

Comments (58)

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58 Comments on Would YOU Endorse Me? | A LinkedIn Controversy

AUG

2010

I think you are correct. Who is going to take this endorsement thing seriously. Unless you can cite specific personal facts what does it mean. I think we can read through all the online b.s. these days, so I certainly wouldn't endorse someone I hardly know.

I'm glad you brought this up as I always end up feeling awkward about turning down a request to recommend someone - but if I don't know them well enough - or even worse if I know them & do NOT recommend them...well it's awkward! And I don't quite know what to do about requests from competitors in my same market area either - more awkwardness!

The answer should be simple - rather than carried away emotionally, if you don't feel comfortable, you don't need to endorse.

It is said if you ask, you'd receive, but person who is asking must see whether he/she deserves it or not. Be it a simple favor or endorsement.

I recommend people that I have personally done business with and am happy with their services. I want other people to know what a great job they have done. Most of these people are not my customers, yet. You never know what the future may bring!

Jeff - You must have ESP! I worked on my Linkdin today for about an hour. Updating, connecting and I was going to write up a recommendation for you when the phones started ringing. LOL I'll get to it next week. Wow, I rarely log into my linkdin account and you blog about it the same day.

I think a lot of people think endorsing is the equivalent of friending on Twitter or following on Twitter but it is not. To me anyway...

I would love to endorse online friends. Sadly, LinkedIn will not recognize my e-mail address which changed 3 years ago and will not let me change it.

Jeff, I'm with Jane. If it can't be meaningful, it's just filler, and does that really serve any value?

Jane - makes sense to me. I wonder if I get a request fom someone I rally don't know, how many other similar requests are going out.

Nancy - THANK YOU for sayin that. I DO feel awkward, and guilty. But despite that I DON'T respond. And competitor? Not a problem. Nope. Even if they ARE good, I just stay away from that. Wrong? IDK

Praful - Good way to look at it.

Jeff

Jeff, this is a very important topic.

Needs to be discussed here on AR so I recommended it for a feature to get more discussions going.

Here is mine:

I am happy to endorce people I know...NOT those who I casually know from AR. Yes I get asked but I can not put my name on a recommendation of someone I have NOT done business with.

I also don't endorse my local competitors, now why would someone do that?

I have received a couple requests for endorsements from people who work at the same company as me -- different office, though. I recognize their name but that's about it. How you can endorse someone who you've never actually worked with is a mystery to me. I have endorsed those I do know, however, when requested. (Excellent topic, by the way.)

Frankly, I've never understood the whole LinkedIn thingy.... I have friends there and have a few endorsements, BUT does anyone really go there and find us? AND, if we really don't know someone WELL enough, how can we endorse them?

I have also received requests from people I do not feel comfortable endorsing. I take my recommendations seriously and will not make up something just so someone can receive an endorsement. To me, LinkedIn is like an online resume. I would never recommend someone for a job if I were not sure they were able to do the job!

I would not be comfortable recommending or endorsing someone I didn’t know well, Jeff, because it’s my reputation that piggybacks to them... and I want to be sure that they represent me well.

And I think that endorsements and recommendations can become diluted if they are not genuine.

Hi Jeff, I do not endorse anyone without a substantial connection.

I only endorse someone who I would trust to work with friends or family...as you say, your own reputation is on the line.

Jeff, great post.

I would like for Linkedin to remain professional and be able to rely on recommendations. I only recommend business associates who's work is worthy of recommendation.

To digress for a moment, I also don't understand these business networking groups like BNI, etc. I'm supposed to recommend the services of a CPA, chiropractor, plumber, realtor simply because I share breakfast with them once a week? Tell me how this helps the people (clients) to whom I would make these recommendations. How do I know how well they do their jobs. It would be nice to keep professional websites (Linkedin, Activerain) professional. There are plenty of social websites (facebook, myspace) for connecting with friends. I would like to see people refrain from religious and political debate on professional sites as well.

How well do we really know people online? If a Rainer gets a lot of comments, posts awesome local photos, or does amazing market reports do they really know real estate and their market or are they simply an entertaining writer, a great photographer, or know how to use a spreadsheet? I think the relationship must be more than simply 'online friends' to earn or give an endorsement.

How can one endorse someone they don't know I ask!! Crazy.....I wouldn't do it, it might come back to haunt me.

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Hi Jeff. Nice post.

It makes be reevaluate Linked In a bit. I have a profile, but only market it a bit...

As far as recommendations, I now think they are important, especially on Linked In...

Thanks for writing,

Ken

Hey Jeff! I would not do it! I need to have had a direct experience working with that person before giving a "recommendation" on LinkedIn.

I'd rather have 20 Recommendations on LinkedIn from past Clients than 50 Recommendations from other Realtors, Lenders, Title Reps, and Home Inspectors. The best Recommendations to market yourself come from past Clients.

Great questions!!

Talk soon.

Thanks,

Mario

No, I would not endorse until I know the person well enough to endorse. I treat my Linked In account very seriously. I dont even add as friend until I feel comfortable associating with that person.

Thanks for "suggesting" this post, Missy...and thanks for writing it ,Jeff...great topic. As I read the comments, it seems that we are a level headed bunch. I would not recommend a restaurant unless I had experienced the offerings...and enjoyed what I experienced...and feel WAY more strongly about recommending those with whom I have done.not done business.

Hi Jeff,

We've never met. However, after reading your ActiveRain posts, I feel like I know you. I would be happy to endorse YOU on LinkedIn.

Now if I could just remember my password! :)

LinkedIn hasn't really caught on around here...I can't see where it is all that useful to the buying and selling public at this point...

I feel I can endorse this post since it's already been featured !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Jeff... I am getting these requests left and right. There must be a website or a seminar advising people to do this. I don't like it.

We've been on LinkedIn for a long time, and only have one endorsement, which was unsolicited - and much appreciated - anad we've given 2 or 3. However, I would not feel comfortable recommending someone I haven't worked with or don't know. By the same token, I would not ask anyone I've never worked with or don't know well for a recommendation, either. I would no sooner ask Missy Caulk or Lenn Harley for a recommendation than I would walk into a party uninvited. They don't know me from Adam and it's just not my style. For that matter, I have a hard time asking people to be a reference on a job application, even someone I've known for a long time! I do it, but I just feel like it's presumptuous and selfish, even though it's required to get the job. But that's just me.

Since any recommendation or endorsement that one makes has their name associated with it, it's best to only endorse those you know and are comfortable sending your clients to. Anything less is just fool hearted link clicking.

I would endorse them only if I know them on some level. Most of the time it is most likely from being online at a site like AR. If so then I would mention something about their marketing abilities and blogging. I would never say things that I did not know like they are trustworthy or some other adjective like that:)

Hi Jeff ~ I've barely spent any time on LinkedIn so this post is an eye opener. I better get on there and start endorsing people. Who knew?! It's to the point where I see all the social media buttons on a page and my eyes start rolling back in my head. It is all too much and bravo to any of you who can keep up with it all.

Liz

Joni - good approach

Nevin - I update now and then but need to be some more. I don't add status updates very often which I should do. Thanks for the pending endorsement. I will do the same. I think we know each other pretty well at this point. :)

Maureen - I agree. It IS different. Keep in mind a job reference and it works.

Lenn - well THAT'S aggravating. So much for being user friendly.

Bill - none whatsoever.

Jeff

Jeff I get these requests all the time, but I only endorse those that I an CURRENTLY doing business with. I got a request last week from someone that had sent me a couple of Buyers three to four years ago, but then dropped off the face of the earth. All the sudden without establishing a business connection again, asked for an endorsement. Nope, sorry, no can do. Lets establish a business relationship again, and then I will be happy to do one.

I guess I would recommend someone that I haven't met, but only after knowing them online for a while, understanding how they work, stuff like that. But just because we're FB friends or connected on LinkedIn, probably not. Get to know the people you're recommending.

Jeff, I would never endorse someone I did not have specific transaction experience with. I don't have many Linkedin recommendations (six, I think), but they are all people who have worked with me for extended periods of time and who know my work ethic and knowledge through and through. I would not, and do not, want the accolades of the masses. For me Linkedin is a public professional resume. It is not the "like me" world. Heaven help us if the click the button becomes the endorsement.

Hi Jeff, I am new to all this. I don't have a linkdin account yet. However; It seems to me it is simply a matter of integrety! You cannot recommend someone you have not worked with, or someone you have and wouldn't want your name associated with. It is really that simple. I don't like hurting feelings, but that's not what it is about. It is about honesty, integrety, and professionalism!

Sincerely,

Laura S. Baker, Ready? Set,...Sell! Home Staging, Jefferson, WI,

altresol@uReach.com, (920) 674-5602 office, (920) 728-4118

Thanks, Missy. I agree it needs to be discussed. It is just not the same thing as "liking" someone. And if recommendations become that casual, then the whole purpose and meaning is gone. Sure, who doesn't like to get 'em but you need to earn them and they should be sincere. That said, I would endorse folks I have gotten to know here quite well with the caveat that my knowledge is based on the Internet.

Peggy - I haven't had anyone locally request an endorsement.

Kat - well I am learning more, and hearing more that it IS a good source of business for many, and some people put more stock in LinkedIn than in Facebook as a source of referral because FB still has a rep as much more social.

Stephanie - good for you. That seems to be the approach folks here who are responding take.

Bill - well said. Why should it be any different on-line than with our recommendations IRL.

Jeff

I would never ASK for a recommendation. What I have done is GIVE a recommendation to someone I know well, and if they're smart, courteous, and generous, they will almost always give me a recommendation in kind. Now while I put a grain of salt into the recommendation thingy, it doesn't hurt to be kind to someone you know well.

Jeff, I would endorse you in a heart beat! Have been asked by others and decide case by case. Almost like being called by a future employer for a recomendation. There are different ways to answer and stay truthful.

Margaret

There are some great points made here... I have Linked-In... Just have not checked-In for some time... I need to do this.. Thanks fro the reminder.

I have not embraced LinkedIn as easily as Facebook ot Twitter which came more easily to me to understand. Some agents really stay connected with it. I can see the benefits and intend to ramp up my use of LinedIn over time.

I would think that an endorsement has more weight than a recommendation, so unless I knew the person in real life and have done business with them over a period of time, I wouldn't give an endorsement...

AUG

2010

Hi Jeff -- I could not. I only asked one recent buyer/seller who wholeheartedly endorsed me and for good reason, I did a super job for them and I knew they would gladly do it. I could never ask anyone who I didn't know well, nor did an outstanding job, and vice versa is true. That's the main reason I don't have 56,432 friends on Facebook either!

Jeff, I am LinkedIn but didn't know about endorsements. How embarrassing? I need a class on all these different sites. But I would not endorse someone if I didn't know them. Nor would I expect them to endorse me until they knew me. Excellent topic for discussion. I'll be coming back to view the other comments.

When I endorse someone, my reputation is on the line. How many people invested with Madoff because he was endorsed by someone they knew? I always enjoy reading your blogs, great topics, always timely. I suppose that is an endorsement.

no way am I going to endorse someone I don't know. Like referring a client to an agent that doesn't perform well, it reflects poorly back on us if we do.

Great post. I usually am not thrilled when someone asks me to endorse them (unless it's someone I know really well and/or we talked about it before). It just seems very forward. rather, I prefer to give out recommendations proactively. Often I'll get one back in return.

We were just talking this topic in my BNI group 2 weeks ao and I was encouraging us to proactively give out recos to others in the group if we used and were happy w/ their services.

I do have this on my "to do" list and have a few more to dole out over next month or two. Hard to find the time. Trying to do 1-2 per weekend. Just did 2 on Angie's list.

Getting a request for an endorsement from a person you hardly know is like getting friended on FB by a friend of a friend. Obviously the goal of fb is a little different, but I still think that it's weird to be 'friends' with folks when I do not even know who they are.

I have done only a couple of endorsements - and they were for people with whom I have worked fairly extensively. I also have gotten some endorsements from folks for whom I have done some work - however, I have not worked with them in their professional capacity. I won't write an endorsement for someone without first hand knowledge, otherwise the endorsement process becomes meaningless.

Bill G - that seems to be the consensus.

Holly - makes sense. I would not want someone to be referred or recommended to me that someone did not know, unless they let me know that upfront.

David- let's hope LinkedIn DOES remain a site we can trust for the recommendations.

John - a point to keep in mind.

Patricia - that would NOT be cool would it?!

Ken- I am hearing more and more about using LinkedIn effectively in our business. It has worked well for folks in the corporate world for quite some time, and still does.

Mario- and why not ask people we have worked with to write a recommendation if they are on LinkedIn?

Loreena - given the reputation that LI seems to have it makes sense to treat connections that way.. Not at all like Facebook.

janeAnne- thanks! There does seem to be a fair amount of agreement on this. But clearly there are folks who don't agree since they request endorsements from folks who don't know them.

Jeff

Jeff - Honestly I think LinkedIn endorsements are a joke. If there was a way to ensure they were true and spontanious then they would carry much more weight in the world at large...

Jeff - great post. I only endorse/recommend someone I know/have done business with... I find it very odd when I receive endorsement requests from people I do not know and am only connected through linkedIn.

I would not give an endorsement in order to get one.. I only want endorsements/recommendations from happy clients and happy vendors... otherwise the recommendations have no value... :D

AUG

2010

Bruce - isn't it interesting how well you can get to know someone on-line? I appreciate the compliment.

John - it's really all about the connections. But it's also a place to have YOUR resume on-line. Folks will find it. But you should also refer them to it. And it will show up in consumer Google searches

Michael - ha ha. And you even said it twice!

Fred - well I have heard it in the seminars/webinars I have attended

Pat and Wayne - I find it hard to ask as well. Unsolicited is great!

Craig - I love your parting comment - "fool hearted link clicking."

Bill - being honest about what you know and don't know is key. Misrepresenting the person doesn;t help anyone.

Jeff

Great thought/discussion provoking post.

AUG

2010

Jeff, Great post. Linkedin.....I have it in place have a few recommendations, given a few, but stopped hanging out there when people in my office started requesting recommendations. I have very mixed feelings about it.

It would be nice to hear stories of business actually coming from it.

Gloria

MAR

Great informative post, very useful.... I think we all need to incorporate linked in to our business plan and hopefully we all get a few more deals in.

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Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Homes for Sale ~ 760-840-1360

Carlsbad, CA

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