I really dislike asking for recommendations. Part of it is that I struggle to do recommendations myself, and I know that other people feel the same way. Part of it is that I don’t want people to feel like they have to do it even if they are too busy or just really don’t have anything good to say about me (although I hope the latter isn’t true!). The final part is that I don’t like “quid pro quo” recommendations where you only refer someone because they referred you back. I don’t think you get honest recommendations that way because people feel forced.

On the flip side, I know that I seek out recommendations about people before I work with them–sometimes even before I respond to their emails. It may be something simple like someone wanting to interview me for a story. More importantly, it might be a potential consulting opportunity. It may even be a merchant trying to decide if I am worthy of working with. I want to know them and they want to know me. They may ask me for referrals, but more likely they will just start Googling away to see what they can find.

I’m confident of what people will find about me online because I talk about myself an awful lot. But I know they don’t want to just hear what I have to say. They want to hear what merchants and networks and former employers and affiliate colleagues and consulting clients want to say. I know I need recommendations.

I decided that rather than put anyone on the spot, I would just start a Recommendation Project. I’m putting this out there to my whole network. If you are so inclined to help me out, I’m making it easy.

• You can leave a recommendation directly on my LinkedIn profile and I’ll direct people there.
• You can leave a comment on this blog post and I will copy it over to my new Recommendation page.
• You can click on this form and fill out the short fields to tell me who you are and what you have to say.
• You can email me and I will copy the email.

I’ll take all of the feedback that I can get and compile it on my brand new Tricia Meyer Recommendation page. It’s lonely and sad looking right now. But I have no doubt that it will get better soon.

Thanks in advance to anyone who does decide to recommend me in any way. I know that putting yourself out there publicly in support of someone else is not to be taken lightly. I appreciate that you are willing to take the time for me!!