LinkedIn has been having an impressive year, rolling out updates left and right. There are so many great, new social features that are making it even easier to keep up with your professional network.

I was really excited when they updated Company Pages. The opportunity for Companies and Brands to provide really comprehensive information, as well as provide periodic updates regarding what’s happening on a professional level is just GREAT. And I logged in the other day and was invited – as many of you were – to sign up for the new Profile. They’re rolling out a new streamlined design.

One of the newest features that I absolutely adore – especially as a social butterfly – is the new Endorsement feature.

LinkedIn, for as long as I’ve been using it, has offered the ability for users to write recommendations for each other. And I’ve done that. I’ve written recommendations for a small handful of my friends and colleagues. But to be honest with you, only for those who have directly asked for it. I don’t often take the time to think through a recommendation for just any connection. And not that I don’t think their effort is worthwhile. What stops me is time. It’s a sad case. My connections would, of course, be the people I would want to support, and I know that good recommendations are a great way to support them. But I don’t have the time to systematically review my connections list, which is always growing, and think through what kind of recommendation I want to prepare for “xy&z” person.

Enter: LinkedIn’s Endorsement Feature

It allows you to agree with skills that they themselves have already highlighted as a part of their experience, skill set and resume. It’s fantastic! In a simple click of one, two, five buttons – I can support a connection’s professional platform and make a positive impact on how they want to present themselves to the professional community.

Take a Minute and Endorse Others
That’s all it’s going to take. LinkedIn makes it so easy for you to click on Endorsement tabs. There are reminders to endorse your connections on different pages, so it isn’t as if you can actually forget that the opportunity to provide a virtual high-five awaits you.

Make Sure You’re Ready to Receive Endorsements
There’s a pretty good chance that you have connections that want to support you and highlight your strengths, so make sure that you’ve prepped your profile to accept endorsements. Take a little bit of time and outline the skills and experience you want highlighted on your account. That’s really going to be the most important step to make sure you’re getting endorsed for the characteristics you want to be most known for.

The end of the year is coming up. What better way to to wish each other well than to take a minute and provide an endorsement. If I’m being truly honest, I would prefer your endorsement over getting a holiday card…and it saves you a stamp. Think about it.