Writing Recommendations That Actually Mean Something
On Alignable, recommendations are more than kind gestures, they’re signals of trust. They tell your network who you stand behind and why. When written well, they don’t just help the person you’re recommending they help you, too.
A thoughtful recommendation strengthens your relationship, boosts both of your visibility in each other’s second-degree networks, and gives other business owners the confidence to reach out. But for that to happen, the recommendation needs more than a few quick sentences. It needs context, clarity, and credibility.
Here are five simple steps to writing a recommendation that carries real weight.
1. Start With the Relationship
Before you talk about what someone does well, explain how you know them. This gives readers the right lens for evaluating your praise.
Examples:
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“I’ve partnered with Maria on multiple design projects over the past two years…”
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“Kevin and I met through a local business meetup and have since collaborated on community events…”
Why it matters:
Context is credibility. A stranger saying “great work!” is noise. A peer who’s seen the work up close? That’s influence.
2. Be Specific About the Value They Delivered
Generic praise gets ignored. Specific examples get remembered.
Try highlighting:
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A challenge they helped you solve
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A service or product they delivered
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A moment where they went above and beyond
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A measurable outcome (“saved us time,” “drove new leads,” “boosted our revenue,” etc.)
Why it matters:
Specifics help your network visualize the impact—making others far more likely to trust your recommendation.
3. Show Their Character, Not Just Their Skills
The best recommendations go beyond what someone does and speak to who they are.
Consider including:
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Reliability
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Communication style
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Integrity
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How they treat customers
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How they show up in the community
Why it matters:
People hire for skills but return for character. Character-focused insights deepen trust and make the recommendation feel personal.
4. Make It Useful For Their Future Connections
Write your recommendation with the next reader in mind, the person deciding whether to reach out.
You can help by answering:
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What types of businesses or people benefit most from working with them?
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What scenarios are they perfect for solving?
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What strengths set them apart?
Why it matters:
A recommendation is more valuable when it helps someone’s future connections immediately understand where they shine.
5. Keep It Authentic—Not Transactional
The most trusted recommendations are earned, not exchanged.
Avoid writing something just to “check a box.” Instead:
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Be honest about what you genuinely know
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Skip the fluff and focus on real value
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Keep the tone natural, like you’re talking to a colleague
Why it matters:
Authenticity builds trust and trust is the foundation of every strong relationship on Alignable.
Thoughtful recommendations strengthen relationships, expand your reach into new opportunities, and give your contacts something they’re proud to display on their profile. And in a community built on trust, they’re one of the clearest ways to help someone unlock new business.
Who are you recommending today?
Comments (1-10)
Thank you for the article and was actually talking to an ambassador this morning who knows you
I was bragging about how you helped me better understand my premier membership!
100%, Amen !
I now only give (thoughtful) recommendations when either I have worked with someone and seen firsthand, or the connection shares a real success story with me.
I agree.
Is there a way to update your settings so that you do not get the recommendation prompt until it's been some time after you've connected to them?
Right now, my settings are configured so that as soon as I connect with someone within a few days, I get an email from Alignable asking for a recommendation although I've just met them.
I agree with most of this article except on one point...Expertise and skill matter; and useful recommendations should speak about it, when appropriate. Regardless of whether you are in counseling or coding, competence engenders trust. I may know you...and like you...but if I do not have some evidence that you can get the job done...I cannot hire you in good faith. Recommendations provide a useful element of that evidence.
I’m with you on this, Don. This breakdown captures the essence of why recommendations matter on Alignable, and I’d add that they also serve as a form of social proof that compounds over time.
When multiple people consistently highlight someone’s strengths with context and specificity, it creates a narrative of credibility that’s far more persuasive than any self-promotion.
In fact, strong recommendations can function like mini case studies: they showcase not only what someone delivered but also how they operate in real-world conditions, which is invaluable for future connections evaluating fit.
Treating recommendations as strategic storytelling rather than quick endorsements, you’re not just building trust, you’re actively shaping your professional reputation and expanding your influence across the network.
And for those giving recommendations, they need to understand it's about the person they are recommending and not about themselves. I've seen some members here on Alignable use it as a self-promotional strategy, talking about what they do and adding some form of contact info to them. I block people who use recommendations to self-promote, because they have already demonstrated they lack professionalism, practice unethical behavior, and lack moral character. I would never recommend someone who uses the opportunity to recommend someone as a way actually to recommend themselves.
Helpful read. Thank you for breaking it down. I am sharing this in our Alliance and in Pet Pros.
This is such a great breakdown, Don! I completely agree that a recommendation is far more than just a kind gesture—it’s a reflection of trust and experience.
Such a great reminder Don!
This is a great post, Don. Especially the part about Authenticity. That is something a lot of people miss. The are one kind of person when they're at work, but they use a persona they think people want to hear. They are very different when you meet them in person. Not being yourself is something people will see then they will question your honesty and integrity.
Excellent article and advice, Don!
If I have not spoken to someone at length (beyond a SmartConnect, I do not feel I can recommend them based solely on what is listed on their profile. Recommendations given and received reflect who you are. If someone does not add a supportive testimonial, I remove it! Some slip through the cracks, but my goal is for each recommendation to be sincere and relational.
If a testimonial is not provided, I reach out and ask them to meet if we have not. Here is the response I send…”Although I am honored to be recommended by you, I have chosen to respectfully decline. I would like to set up a time to meet so we can provide reciprocal testimonials. I hope you understand.”
Make today amazing 🙌
Peace,
Karen