How to Get a Services Listing through a LinkedIn Recommendation

If you provide a professional service, such as consulting or freelance writing, be sure to take advantage of the LinkedIn Service Provider directory. You can’t simply list yourself in this directory; instead, LinkedIn requires you to obtain a recommendation from another LinkedIn member. The reason for this requirement is simple: LinkedIn wants a directory of only providers that have at least one person willing to validate their work.

The moment you receive a recommendation from a LinkedIn member about your services, your profile is included in the Service Providers directory. To request a recommendation from someone, just follow these steps:

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Open the Service Providers Home page.

Click the drop-down arrow next to the word Companies in the top navigation bar, and then select Service Providers. You will be taken to the Service Providers home page. Note the Request a Recommendation link at the top-right corner.

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Click the link Request a Recommendation.

This is where you start your Service Provider Recommendation request.

Click the drop-down to find the position you want someone to recommend you for.

If you want your Services recommendation to be tied to a specific role, pick one of your positions that indicates that service, such as Freelance Writer or Website Designer position. If you don’t see an appropriate position in your list, click the [Add a Position] link to add a new position to your Experience section of your profile.

Click the View All Connections icon and choose the people you want to ask for a recommendation.

A new window opens. Click the check box to add people to your list of requests. When you’re done, click the Finished button to close that window and return to the Request Recommendations page.

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Write a note that will go out to each person you have selected.

Although LinkedIn will fill in this box with canned text, you should change this text to make it sound as though it’s coming from you. Make sure the Subject line is appropriate, too, because doing so helps your chances of getting your intended requesters to actually open the e-mail and respond.

Click the Send button.

Your request is sent and your selected connections receive a message from LinkedIn, asking them to come to the site and complete a Recommendation for you.