7 Ways to Show Gratitude on LinkedIn

How long has it been since you showed gratitude to your (closest) LinkedIn connections? (Liking their post doesn't count!😄 )

Expressing appreciation is a key part of relationship building. As the writer William Arthur Ward once said:

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

In this blogpost I want to make sure that you give your connections their flowers!

7 easy ways to show your network some love through LinkedIn!

1. Endorse your connections on LinkedIn

Be sure to choose skills that you know your connection has and that you have personally experienced. Here is how to do this:

• Go to your connection's Profile
• Scroll down to the Skills & Endorsements section.
• Click the name of the skill, or the "+" symbol next to the skill.
• Rate them Good, Very Good, or Highly Skilled
• Select how you worked with them

2. Introduce two people (and tell them why you did)

Choose two people that can benefit from knowing each other. Just add them both in a group conversation with a small description of each (you can use the information from their LinkedIn summary 😉) and explain why you think it would be a great connection for both of them.

3. Engage with their content

Like and share their posts on LinkedIn, make sure you add your thoughts in the comments as well (don't underestimate the power of commenting on posts!). People spent a lot of time and energy in putting out their content, the fact that you take the time to read and interact with it is very much appreciated.

4. Recommend your connections on LinkedIn

There is nothing more powerful than an honest testimonial on LinkedIn, but again, make sure it's sincere. This is a fantastic way to thank your stakeholders.

5. Give them a shout out!

Everyone likes to be mentioned! Thank your connections by updating your status on LinkedIn, type "@TheirName" or "@Company", and select it from the drop-down. They will receive a notification and appreciate the time you took to recognize them!

6. Create a Thank You Video

Try mentioning one or more of your connections that have had a positive impact on you this past year. A quick video can go a long way. Grab your smartphone or camera, mention them in the post and make others feel special because you are thankful to have them in your world.

7. Give Kudos.

There is a cool feature that allows you to show your appreciation for your connections publicly (or in a direct message).

Here is how you do this:

• From their profile click on the More Button
• Choose Give Kudos
• Choose the Kudos You’d Like to Give
• Customize Your Message
• Post
• This will be public for both of your networks to see

Conclusion

Showing gratitude is 100% free and usually goes down well. It doesn't have to take long to write, but it can improve relationships and build goodwill. I would like to end by sharing the wise words of Maya Angelou:

"At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel".

So by sending a gratitude message, you will not only make someone else's day a little bit brighter, but you can also inspire a thought or action that might just lead to an opportunity for you and your connection in the future.

Have you tried scheduling your gratitude posts on Willow? Schedule all post you want on LinkedIn and other channels!