How to Give Recommendations the Right Way
This week’s Alignable tip comes from member Al Wagner, founder and CEO of TruPayroll LLC in Marcos Island, FL. Al’s been a member for five years and knows a thing or two about how to build relationships and his business on Alignable.
Keep reading to learn how Al taps into the power of recommendations to grow his network—and how you can too.
How to Take Advantage of Recommendations on Alignable
Because of Alignable’s dedication to genuine, sincere connections and reducing spam and self-promotion, it’s perhaps the best social platform for business professionals. And I know this personally.
After years of consistently creating and nurturing relationships inside and outside my personal network, our business experienced a steady flow of referrals in 2020. Many of those were thanks to Alignable. And recommendations helped us get there.
So how do you use recommendations the right way?
Recommendations are a fun way to pay it forward. But it’s important to use them correctly. In other words, simply clicking the "I recommend" button isn't enough. Anyone can do that.
Would you really pay it forward to a restaurant you never ate in? Would you tell your friends that Joe Schmo, the real estate agent, is amazing if you never spoke to him before?
Most likely not, so you shouldn’t do that on Alignable either.
Instead, write specific recommendations for businesses that you know. Ask yourself: What is your personal experience with the individual and/or business you're recommending? Here on Alignable, that experience can be personal or professional—or maybe both!
For example, I received a recommendation recently from someone I reconnected with. His recommendation was about me personally. Though we haven’t directly done business together, he does know about my business and my customers, so his recommendation made sense.
The next time you’re tempted to hit recommend without knowing the business or business owner, don’t. Instead, reach out, connect, and build a relationship first. Then, when you’re ready, you can give a genuine and specific recommendation that carries more weight.
One thing to remember: Recommendations aren't a popularity contest. We don't "win" by having more. We win by helping our peers build a solid resume of shared experiences, which helps others to get a glimpse of our own insights.
Recommendations = trust
At the end of the day, recommendations transfer trust. By recommending someone, you’re saying that you trust them.
What happens if another person acts upon your recommendation and then has a bad experience? Your reputation along with the person or business you recommended can suffer. This is why I don't hand out recommendations willy nilly. I need to know, like, and trust the person or business first.
Ready to recommend?
Now that you know how to use recommendations the right way, you’re ready to give them out to the business owners you know and trust. And doing so is easy—just go to the member’s profile, hit the recommend button, and fill out your reasons for giving them a thumbs up.
Your recommendation will now appear on that business’s profile and on your own too. So pay it forward, give more than you get, and watch your relationships bloom.
Happy recommending!
- Missed last week’s tip? Find out how to post a job on Alignable
- For more ways to reach your potential with Alignable, join the Alignable Success Tips group.
- Have questions on how to use recommendations? Get the answers you need on our Help Center.
Comments (1-10)
All of the above is very impt info as many folks really don't (and I do mean really don't) know how to network and learn about other people and the business they do. All in the name of giving and getting to know each other for referral purposes.
Example: I contacted an Ali member to learn about what they do and how...pretty soon I was being hound dogged like being chased by a telemarketer. Moral of the story: I learned nothing about that biz except that the person never paid attention to my initial request for a general oversight into their services as I wasn't asking about "buying" anything. I was merely wanting to "network".
So, be a good networker and referral buddy and LISTEN when someone contacts you as it could cost you future referrals.
Great article Al!
What a great inspiration Al, you brought back the valuable principles and qualities of Reputation and Trust.
Conscious of having a quality mindset due to my earlier experiences acquired as a small business owner, and jobs with service orientation, looking always toward long-term business relationships thru client satisfaction with mutual reciprocity and understanding; Reputation and Trust makes a lot of sense to me.
One of the most enjoyable things for me is to connect with real people to know their business, in a simple, casual, and relaxed way, so we can truly serve the needs of our businesses.
I so much appreciate your recommendations of taking time to reach out to connect, build relationships, and know the business or the owner, so we are equipped to give a genuine and specific recommendation that carries more weight.
Thanks so much
Al Wagner, well said. Less empty recommendations will be offered and given. Thank you.
Exactly info I want and can use. Networking is new and confusing to me. You are explaining that all this "bantering" does in the long run "pay off". I must make wise practical choices for me as a sole proprietor: a) networking (can almost be full time) or, b) quality relational time with my clients and/or (notes, paper work, insurance panels, authorizations websites and updating of current info). Ya feel me? Do others feel this "tension/balance" and how do you handle this? grateful luke
Nice Al! You're right, recommendations are a 'gift'. The best gifts are when you know the recipient on a personal or business level. That's the key of knowing what to say in your recommendation. Personally I feel, it is always a win when it comes from the 'heart'. It radiates a special glow that others like to follow.
The difference between a recommendation and just a lead is that that a recommendation is someone who has been qualified, they have given permission to have their contact info given to your referral partner, and they are in the position to and have a need to buy a service or product that your referral partner offers.
To go even deeper. A high level referral is one when you, yourself setup a meeting with a time that works for everyone. You attend the meeting to make the introductions in person.
Fairly simple really. Just have to listen for the que.
First, it's important that you create an informative profile for yourself and your business so that other users can find out what type of services you offer. Make sure to include pictures, videos or any other relevant content that will help people understand more about your company and make them want to recommend you within their network.
I totally agree with Mr Wagner,his insights and suggestions make sense. There's a lot of nuggets that someone new on this platform can learn going forward. Thank you Mr Wagner for sharing.
Thanks for sharing Al!
Great article!
Your an inspiration to many!