The Power of Recommendations on LinkedIn: How to Get More

LinkedIn is more than just an online business card. It is a platform where trust and credibility are built in a very public way. One of the most powerful tools available to real estate professionals on LinkedIn is the “Recommendation” feature.

A LinkedIn recommendation is similar to a written testimonial on your website, but with one big difference. It is publicly tied to the person who wrote it, making it far more trustworthy. When people researching you see genuine recommendations from clients, colleagues, and industry partners, it strengthens your reputation and builds confidence in your skills.

In real estate, where trust plays such a big role in winning listings and working with buyers, recommendations can set you apart from others in your area.

Why LinkedIn Recommendations Matter in Real Estate

There are several reasons why recommendations hold such weight on LinkedIn:

• They are public and verifiable
  Unlike a private testimonial that could be written by anyone, LinkedIn recommendations are tied directly to a person’s profile. This adds authenticity.

• They highlight your professionalism
  Clients and colleagues choose to write about their experience working with you. When those words focus on your integrity, results, and communication, it makes a lasting impression.

• They improve your online presence
  LinkedIn gives priority to complete and engaging profiles. Recommendations are one of the factors that boost your credibility on the platform.

• They influence potential clients
  Buyers and sellers often research agents online. If they find a LinkedIn profile filled with glowing recommendations, it builds confidence before they even meet you.

• They support networking
  Other professionals in the industry such as mortgage brokers, conveyancers, and property managers may be more willing to collaborate with someone who clearly has a strong reputation.

Who Should You Ask for a Recommendation?

Not all recommendations carry the same weight. You want them from people who can speak with authority about your skills, values, and results. Some excellent sources include:

• Past sellers who appreciated your marketing strategy, negotiation skills, and communication.

• Buyers who felt supported through the purchase journey and trusted your advice.

• Colleagues within your office or franchise who can comment on your teamwork and professionalism.

• Business partners such as mortgage brokers, stylists, or photographers who have seen you work with clients.

• Leaders and mentors who can speak about your growth and leadership qualities.

Having a mix of client and professional recommendations is ideal. It shows that you are trusted not only by the people who hire you but also by those who work with you every day.

How to Ask for a LinkedIn Recommendation

Many agents hesitate to ask for recommendations because they feel uncomfortable. The truth is most people are happy to write one if you make it easy for them. The key is to be polite, specific, and respectful of their time.

Here are steps you can follow:

1. Choose the right person
   Pick someone who had a genuinely positive experience with you. The closer and more recent the relationship, the stronger the recommendation will feel.

2. Send a personal message
   Do not just click the “request recommendation” button. Instead, write a short personal note. For example:
   “Hi Sarah, I really enjoyed helping you with the sale of your property. It would mean a lot if you could write a short recommendation on LinkedIn about your experience. I know future clients often look at my profile, and your words would help them feel confident.”

3. Make it easy for them
   Some people are unsure what to write. You can gently guide them by suggesting they mention specific points, such as how you kept them updated or achieved a strong price.

4. Offer to return the favour
   If they are also on LinkedIn, offer to write a recommendation for them. It makes the request feel balanced.

5. Follow up politely
   If they forget, you can send a gentle reminder after a few weeks.

The Qualities That Make a Strong Recommendation

Not all recommendations have the same impact. A short line like “Great agent, highly recommend” is better than nothing, but detailed recommendations make the real difference.

The best recommendations often include:

• Specific results: “She helped us achieve a record price in our suburb.”

• Professional skills: “His negotiation and communication skills were outstanding.”

• Personal qualities: “She was patient, supportive, and genuinely cared about our needs.”

• Trust and reliability: “We always felt he had our best interests at heart.”

When you guide people gently towards these areas, the final result is far more powerful than a simple sentence.

Timing Your Requests

As with most things in real estate, timing is important. Some of the best times to ask for a recommendation are:

• Right after a successful sale or purchase, when emotions are high and positive.

• After finishing a collaboration with another professional who was impressed with your work.

• When you receive verbal praise from a client. That is the perfect time to say, “Thank you, would you be open to sharing those words on LinkedIn as a recommendation?”

By asking in these moments, you capture authentic and heartfelt feedback.

Showcasing Your Recommendations

Once you start receiving recommendations, do not let them sit quietly on your profile. Use them to strengthen your brand.

• Feature them on your profile so they appear near the top.

• Share them as posts on LinkedIn to thank the person publicly.

• Repurpose them in your marketing such as listing presentations, emails, or brochures.

• Use them in conversations with potential clients as social proof.

Recommendations act like mini case studies that back up your promises with real experiences.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to LinkedIn recommendations, there are some pitfalls to watch out for:

• Asking too often from the same type of person. For example, only asking colleagues and none from actual clients.

• Pushing people too hard. If someone is hesitant, respect their choice.

• Not giving recommendations yourself. LinkedIn is built on relationships. If you never write them for others, it can feel one-sided.

• Forgetting to say thank you. Always show gratitude when someone takes the time to write for you.

How Many Recommendations Should You Aim For?

There is no perfect number, but the more authentic ones you have, the stronger your profile looks. A good starting goal is 10 to 15 recommendations from a variety of sources. Over time, you can grow this into a larger collection.

Quality is always more important than quantity. Five detailed, heartfelt recommendations will be more powerful than twenty short generic ones.

Using AI to Help with Recommendations

If you struggle with writing recommendations for others, or if you want to give people ideas for what to say, AI tools like ChatGPT can help.

• You can draft a recommendation outline and send it to the person as an example.

• You can use AI to brainstorm wording that highlights your unique strengths.

• AI can also help you re-frame your own recommendations for colleagues so they sound polished and professional.

The key is authenticity. AI should help with structure and wording, but the final message must come from the heart of the person writing it.

Building a Recommendation Habit

The most successful professionals on LinkedIn do not treat recommendations as a one-off activity. They make it part of their regular routine.

• Add a reminder in your diary to request one every time you close a property or finish a project.

• Write recommendations for colleagues monthly to keep the flow going.

• Revisit your profile twice a year to see if it needs more balance between client and colleague voices.

By making this part of your system, your profile will continue to grow stronger each year.

Final Thoughts

LinkedIn recommendations are one of the most powerful ways to demonstrate trust, credibility, and professionalism online. For real estate professionals, where relationships and reputation are everything, they can be the difference between winning a listing or losing it to a competitor.

By asking at the right times, guiding people gently, and showcasing the recommendations you receive, you create a living record of your value. Over time, this builds a powerful digital reputation that supports your success in every aspect of your real estate career.

Author Ken Hobson
ken@agentslibrary.com.au