Receiving a kudos on LinkedIn can be a nice validation of your work and contributions. It’s a virtual pat on the back that shows someone appreciates what you’re doing. When someone takes the time to give you a kudos, it’s thoughtful to thank them in return. However, you may be wondering what’s the best way to show your gratitude on LinkedIn.
The good news is thanking someone for a LinkedIn kudos doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple acknowledgement goes a long way. Here are some tips on how to thank someone for giving you kudos on LinkedIn:
Send a Direct Message
One easy way to say thanks is to send the person a direct message on LinkedIn. This allows you to thank them privately without calling public attention to it. Keep the message concise and sincere:
“Hi [name], I just saw the kudos you gave me on [content]. I really appreciate you taking the time to do that. It means a lot to me that you enjoyed [content]. Thank you!”
A direct message like this acknowledges their kudos and expresses gratitude in a warm, professional way. It takes just a minute but shows you noticed their gesture.
Reply Under the Kudos
You can also thank someone for a kudos directly under the notification. When you receive a kudos, you’ll get an alert in your LinkedIn notifications. Go to your notifications and find the kudos.
Underneath it is a space to reply. Write a simple response like “Thank you for the kudos [name]! I’m glad you found this helpful.” This lets you thank them on the same platform where they gave you the kudos.
Like or React to Their Kudos
A third option is to simply like or react to the kudos itself. Hover over the kudos notification and click “like” or select a reaction emoji like “celebrate” or “clapping hands.” This sends the message that you saw the kudos and appreciate it.
While less personal than a direct message, liking or reacting only takes a second and is better than no response. It’s a quick way to acknowledge the kudos if you don’t have time to write a note.
Thank Them Publicly
You can also thank someone publicly by mentioning them in a post. For example, if they gave you a kudos on a recent article, you could write:
“Thanks to [name] for the kudos on my last article! I’m so glad you found it helpful.”
Tag them in the post so they’ll get notified. This lets you share your appreciation openly with your network. However, not everyone will be comfortable being thanked publicly like this, so it’s usually better to thank someone privately instead.
Thank Them Next Time You Meet
If the person who gave you kudos is a coworker, colleague, or other connection you see regularly, you can thank them in person the next time you meet. A quick “Thanks for the LinkedIn kudos last week! I really appreciated you taking the time to do that” lets them know you valued their gesture.
Thanking someone in person can feel more meaningful than an online message. Just be sure to do it soon after they gave you the kudos, so they don’t forget.
Return the Kudos
Finally, you can return the favor by giving them a kudos back. Find a recent post of theirs that you can earnestly give kudos to. This reciprocates the gesture and shows your mutual support.
Only do this if you genuinely appreciate something they posted. Don’t just give a random kudos back if nothing they’ve done recently warrants it. But if they made a post you find valuable, kudos is a nice way to express your thanks.
What to Include in Your Thanks
However you choose to thank someone for their LinkedIn kudos, include these elements:
- Mention them by name
- Specify what content of yours they gave kudos to
- Say thanks and that you appreciate the gesture
- Note that their kudos made your day or meant a lot
You don’t need to write a novel – a one or two sentence message is fine. The important things are acknowledging their kudos specifically and expressing gratitude.
How Soon to Thank Them
Don’t wait too long to thank someone for their LinkedIn kudos. You want the notification to be fresh in their mind. In general, aim to thank them within:
- 24 hours – Send a direct message or reply underneath the kudos notification within a day.
- 1 week – If you can’t message them quickly, like or react to the kudos within a week.
- 2 weeks – If you want to thank them next time you meet in person, do it within two weeks.
Don’t sit on a kudos for months and then finally get around to thanking the person. Part of what makes the thanks meaningful is the timely acknowledgement.
Should You Thank Everyone Who Gives You Kudos?
What if multiple people give you kudos on a post? Do you need to thank each one individually?
If it’s just a handful of people, then yes, take the time to message each person with a thanks. But if your post gets inundated with kudos from dozens of connections, take a different approach.
In that case, you can make one public post thanking everyone collectively. For example: “Wow, I’m blown away by all the kudos on my last article! A huge thanks to everyone who took the time to react – you really made my day.”
This thanks people efficiently without having to write individual messages. For public figures or influencers who get very high kudos volume, a collective public thanks is best.
How to Word Your LinkedIn Kudos Thank You
Crafting the perfect thank you message takes finesse. Here are some examples of how to word a kudos thank you professionally:
- “Thanks for the kudos on my [content], [name]. I appreciate you taking a moment to do that!”
- “Just saw the kudos you gave me on my [content]. I’m so glad you found it useful! Thanks for the LinkedIn love.”
- “I really value the kudos you gave me on my recent [content], [name]. Knowing you enjoyed it means a lot!”
And if they gave you kudos on your work anniversary post or another career milestone:
- “[Name], I so appreciate the kudos on my work anniversary post. Thanks for helping me celebrate [x] years!”
- “Thank you for the kudos on my new job update, [name]! I’m excited to take this next step.”
The wording doesn’t have to be elaborate – just heartfelt. Show you noticed their gesture and are grateful.
Why Should You Thank Someone for LinkedIn Kudos?
Is taking the time to thank LinkedIn connections for kudos worth the effort? There are a few good reasons to express your gratitude:
- It’s good manners – When someone does something nice for you, it’s polite to thank them.
- It strengthens connections – Thanking peers makes them feel recognized and builds rapport.
- It encourages more engagement – People will be more likely to interact with your profile if you show appreciation.
- It makes others feel good – Knowing their kudos made your day is gratifying for the giver.
While LinkedIn kudos may seem like a small thing, consistently acknowledging them spreads goodwill. That can only help you grow your professional network.
Say Thanks for Everyday Recognition Too
The tips here work not just for thanking LinkedIn connections, but anyone who recognizes or compliments you. Whether it’s praise from your boss, a high five from a peer, or applause after a presentation, don’t forget to express gratitude.
Even a quick “thanks for the feedback!”, “I appreciate the vote of confidence!” or “the applause means so much!” can make someone’s day. Get in the habit of acknowledging all the appreciation that comes your way.
LinkedIn kudos offer a chance to practice professional gratitude. Use these opportunities to spread more positivity on the platform – it can only foster more meaningful connections.