In addition to LinkedIn recommendations, there is a new feature on LinkedIn they call service reviews where you can obtain a star rated review and request services from you.
Reviews and recommendations influence people to engage with you or the opposite happens with a lack of social proof, prospects may go elsewhere.
Think about it this way, when you go to buy something on Amazon, how often did you read a review before making the purchase? Or how many times did a Google review of a restaurant influence your decision as to where to dine?
LinkedIn is no different. In fact, if you understand that people who use LinkedIn are looking to do business then you will see why those recommendations and now reviews matter.
As a resource check back on my post “How to Ask For the All-Important LinkedIn Recommendation” to get a refresher on the importance and how to request a recommendation that highlights your expertise.
How to Add Your Services
First, you want to choose service categories from the pre-programmed options. You won’t be able in most cases to find a specific service, so choose the category closest to what you do.
- Click the icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Click the Providing services module below your profile intro section.
Next, choose services that best apply from the list. In the image below you will see the EDIT button because I have already chosen my services, after you decide yours will change to the EDIT button as well.
Request a Service
According to LinkedIn, your LinkedIn Service Page self-view is a centralized place to manage new requests from prospective clients. As a service provider, you can submit a proposal in response to a client service request or decline it.
Prospective clients may contact several service providers for the same service request. Each service request can receive a maximum of five proposals in response. An error message will appear if your proposal exceeds that limit.
Submitting a proposal starts a conversation with a prospective client and doesn’t guarantee a contract. Declining a service request is irreversible and removes the request from your view.
As with all LinkedIn platform updates it rolls out in stages and it takes time for people to learn about the new feature.
Here are steps to respond to your service requests:
- Click the icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Click the Providing services module below your profile intro section.
- Click Service requests in the module on the left side of your screen.
- Click the Submit proposal or No thanks button.
- If you submit a proposal, enter your proposal details, and click the Submit button.
- If you decline the request, click the Decline button to confirm.
- Click your browser back navigation to return to the main self-view module or click Client projects in the upper right corner to move into your project list.
Invite Customers to Review Your Services
Once you have chosen your services, you will see them listed as shown in the image below. You will also see a button with Invite to Review. This is where you can request a review from a client.
There is a limit of 20 requests you can send so I recommend you speak to a past client and let them know you’d like to send them a request for review so they know to expect it in their email via LinkedIn.
Manage your LinkedIn reviews
You want to keep an eye on the responses you receive or don’t. If for example you send a request for review and you don’t get a response, you can ‘withdraw’ the request. You would want to do this if you get no response. Consider that you only get 20 reviews total, so use them wisely.
Your LinkedIn Service Page is shown on the left side for you to manage your review invitations. (Important: This feature is gradually rolling out and may not be available to you at this time.)
Manage your client review invitations:
- Click the icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Click the Providing services module below your profile intro section.
- Click Reviews status in the module on the left side of your screen.
- Locate the correct review and click Withdraw or Message.
- Click your browser back navigation to return to the main self-view module.
Completed reviews will have a Reviewed on: date with the accompanying Rating.
Conclusion
This new feature is another opportunity to add credibility to who you are and what you do. Social proof matters whether we like it or not and people do buy based on the testimony of others. So by putting effort into gaining both recommendations and now reviews can offer big returns and a competitive advantage.
What do you think of this new feature? Will you try to get 5-star reviews on your profile – leave a comment below.