LinkedIn is a great platform for professional networking and building your personal brand. One way to do that is by writing thoughtful appreciation posts for your connections. An appreciation post allows you to recognize someone’s skills, accomplishments, or impact on your career. It’s a chance to thoughtfully acknowledge them and strengthen your relationship.
Why Write an Appreciation Post?
Here are some of the key reasons to write an appreciation post on LinkedIn:
- Show gratitude and recognize someone’s contributions
- Highlight their accomplishments and expertise
- Deepen your connection and relationship
- Help promote their personal brand and visibility
- Inspire others in your network
- Demonstrate your own kindness and professionalism
In short, it’s a meaningful way to pay tribute to someone who has made a difference in your life and career. When done authentically, an appreciation post can be incredibly powerful.
Who Should You Write an Appreciation For?
There are many possibilities of who to appreciate on LinkedIn. Here are some common options:
- A mentor who has provided valuable guidance
- A colleague who has contributed greatly to a project
- A manager who has supported your growth and development
- Someone who has referred you for opportunities
- A staff member or assistant who goes above and beyond
- A business contact who has offered invaluable advice
- Someone retiring or moving on from your company
The key is to make your appreciation post personal and sincere. Think about who has truly made a difference that you want to recognize. It could be for a big achievement or many small acts of kindness.
How to Structure an Appreciation Post
Here are some tips on how to structure a thoughtful appreciation post:
- Open with a warm greeting. Address them directly by name to make it more personal.
- Share your relationship. Explain how you know them and your history together. This context makes the post more meaningful.
- Give specific examples. Provide 2-3 detailed examples of things they have done that you appreciate. This shows it is sincere.
- Describe their impact. Explain how their actions, support, or achievements have helped you or others.
- Use descriptive language. Avoid cliches. Craft sentences that capture why you admire them..
- Close with gratitude. End by reiterating your appreciation and thanking them for their efforts and qualities.
Balancing storytelling with concise points helps highlight your genuine gratitude. Be authentic and uplifting.
Top Tips for Writing an Appreciation Post
Here are some top tips to write a heartfelt and professional appreciation post:
- Be authentic – Only write it if you truly admire them.
- Make it personal – Share specific anecdotes and details.
- Highlight accomplishments – Mention noteworthy achievements.
- Use visual media – Include appropriate photos or videos.
- Tag their profile – This shares the post directly with them.
- Have a clear focal point – Spotlight 1-3 key themes.
- Proofread carefully – Double check for errors beforehand.
- Follow up privately too – Send them a personal thank you message.
- Time it thoughtfully – Some occasions work better than others.
- Set the right tone – Uplifting and professional, not overly gushing.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can craft an appreciation post that makes a genuine impact.
Sample Outline and Text
Use this sample outline and text as a template for writing your own appreciation post:
Outline
- Warm greeting
- How you know them
- Their key accomplishments
- Examples of their impact on you
- Words of admiration
- Thank them
Sample Text
Dear [Name],
We first met five years ago when you joined [Company] as my mentor. I can still remember our first coffee chat and the invaluable advice you offered as I was starting my career. Your guidance has been crucial over the years as I’ve grown and taken on new challenges.
From leading high-profile projects that influenced our entire organization to presenting at major industry conferences, your accomplishments and expertise are admirable. You set the standard for leadership, cool-headed decision making, and strategic thinking.
On a personal level, you’ve always made time for my questions and career dilemmas. Whether reviewing my presentations late at night or sending motivational texts before big meetings, your support kept me going. I would not be where I am today without your mentorship.
I cannot fully capture my appreciation and admiration for you in one post. But on the occasion of your retirement, I want to sincerely recognize your tremendous impact. Thank you for five years of outstanding mentorship, friendship, and inspiration. I am lucky to know you!
Wishing you all the best,
[Your Name]
Choosing the Right Time to Post
Timing your appreciation post thoughtfully can amplify the impact. Here are some appropriate times to share it:
- Work anniversaries – Commemorate professional milestones
- Major life events – Birthdays, new jobs, retirement, etc.
- Holidays – Show extra gratitude around annual holidays
- Difficult times – Lift them up during challenges or loss
- After major projects – Recognize efforts after big deadlines
- Start of a week/month/year – Kick it off highlighting someone positive
While the appreciation will always be welcomed, timing it thoughtfully maximizes the power of your post.
Doing Follow Up After Posting
To get the most impact from your appreciation post, be sure to follow up afterwards:
- Send them a personal thank you message reiterating your gratitude.
- Check if they saw your post and their reaction.
- Offer to connect them to others who would benefit from knowing them.
- Ask if they would like a recommendation on LinkedIn.
- Continue providing support and mentorship.
- Invite them out for coffee or a virtual chat to catch up.
This extra effort solidifies the value of your post. It shows them you are genuinely interested in their success and strengthening your relationship.
Pitfalls to Avoid
While appreciation posts should come from the heart, there are a few pitfalls to avoid:
- Being too general or vague – offer specific examples of their impact
- Only focusing on their skills, not character
- Making it more about you than them
- Going over the top with effusive praise
- Poor timing around difficult news or transitions
- Neglecting to follow up afterwards
Keep it thoughtful, sincere, and focused on their unique contributions. Quality over quantity – no need to go overboard with praise.
Measuring the Impact
Here are some ways to assess the impact of your LinkedIn appreciation post:
- Engagement metrics – likes, comments, shares, clicks
- The person’s reaction – did they seem moved? Did they post publicly?
- Increased visibility – did it lead to new connections or opportunities?
- Deepened relationship – did you bond more afterwards?
- Inspired others’ posts – did it start a chain reaction of appreciation?
- Career boost for them – any promotions, awards, or growth?
While tricky to quantify, these are signals of the post making a positive difference. Focus on the quality and meaning over vanity metrics.
Conclusion
Appreciation posts allow us to recognize amazing individuals who shape our lives and careers. By crafting thoughtful posts, you can deepen connections, inspire your network, and spread more gratitude. Keep it authentic and find meaningful opportunities to highlight people. Thoughtful appreciation always makes an impact.