Is Linkedin Premium Worth The Cost? An In-Depth Look
With over 800 million members, LinkedIn is the largest professional networking platform in the world. LinkedIn Premium offers additional features for a monthly or annual fee – but are those extras worth paying for?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: For most users, the free version of LinkedIn delivers ample value. But Premium can be worthwhile for active job seekers and sales professionals seeking more insights and exposure.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll analyze the pros, cons, and different tiers of LinkedIn Premium to determine if the paid subscription is worth the investment for different users’ needs.
Breaking Down LinkedIn Premium Features and Pricing
LinkedIn Premium offers a range of features and benefits that can enhance your professional networking experience. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key features and pricing options available with LinkedIn Premium.
Profile Branding
One of the main advantages of LinkedIn Premium is the ability to enhance your profile branding. With Premium, you can add a background photo to your profile, create a customized LinkedIn URL, and even display a featured section to showcase your best work or accomplishments.
These features can help you stand out from the crowd and make a strong impression on potential employers or clients.
Search Visibility
LinkedIn Premium also offers improved search visibility, allowing you to appear higher in search results and increase your chances of being discovered by recruiters or other professionals in your industry.
This can be particularly valuable if you’re actively job searching or looking to expand your professional network.
InMail Messages
One of the most sought-after features of LinkedIn Premium is the ability to send InMail messages to anyone on LinkedIn, even if you’re not connected. This allows you to reach out directly to potential employers, industry leaders, or other professionals you’re interested in connecting with.
It can be a powerful tool for networking and building relationships.
Post Analytics
For those who are actively using LinkedIn to share content and engage with their network, Premium offers access to post analytics. This feature provides valuable insights into how your posts are performing, including the number of views, likes, and comments.
Having access to this data can help you refine your content strategy and better understand what resonates with your audience.
Learning Courses
LinkedIn Premium includes access to LinkedIn Learning, an extensive library of online courses covering a wide range of topics, from technical skills to leadership development. This can be a great resource for professional growth and continuous learning, allowing you to acquire new skills or deepen your expertise in your field.
It’s important to note that LinkedIn Premium offers different pricing plans to cater to different needs and budgets. The pricing may vary based on factors such as your location and the type of Premium plan you choose.
To find the most up-to-date pricing information, it’s recommended to visit www.linkedin.com/premium.
Ultimately, whether LinkedIn Premium is worth the cost will depend on your individual goals and how you plan to use the platform. If you’re actively job searching, looking to expand your network, or seeking opportunities for professional growth, the additional features and benefits of LinkedIn Premium can be a valuable investment.
Premium Benefits for Job Seekers
LinkedIn Premium offers a range of benefits specifically designed to assist job seekers in their search for the perfect opportunity. By upgrading to LinkedIn Premium, job seekers gain access to a variety of tools and features that can significantly enhance their job search experience.
Finding Open Roles
One of the key benefits of LinkedIn Premium for job seekers is the ability to access a wider range of job postings. With the Premium subscription, users can view all open roles posted on LinkedIn, even those that are not visible to non-Premium members.
This gives job seekers a competitive edge by providing access to a greater number of opportunities. Additionally, LinkedIn Premium offers advanced search filters and personalized job recommendations, making it easier for job seekers to find relevant positions that match their skills and interests.
Resume Branding
LinkedIn Premium offers job seekers the opportunity to enhance their personal brand and stand out from the competition. Premium members can use the “Open Candidate” feature to privately signal to recruiters that they are open to new opportunities.
This feature allows job seekers to discreetly indicate their availability without alerting their current employer. Premium members also have access to LinkedIn’s Learning platform, where they can acquire new skills and showcase their professional development, further boosting their resume.
Direct Employer Connections
LinkedIn Premium enables job seekers to directly connect and engage with potential employers. With the “InMail” feature, Premium members can send direct messages to recruiters and hiring managers, bypassing the limitations placed on non-Premium members.
This direct communication channel can significantly increase the chances of getting noticed by employers and securing interviews. In addition, LinkedIn Premium provides insights on who has viewed a user’s profile, allowing job seekers to identify potential employers who have shown interest in their skills and experience.
Premium Benefits for Sales Professionals
LinkedIn Premium offers a range of benefits for sales professionals that can greatly enhance their ability to generate leads, build relationships, and close deals. Let’s take a closer look at some of these key benefits:
Lead and Contact Search
One of the most valuable features of LinkedIn Premium for sales professionals is the ability to conduct advanced lead and contact searches. With this feature, you can filter search results by industry, job title, location, and more, allowing you to find highly targeted leads that are more likely to convert into customers.
This not only saves you time but also increases your chances of reaching the right people.
Expanded Connections
LinkedIn Premium provides sales professionals with the ability to expand their network beyond their immediate connections. With the “Open Profile” feature, you can send InMail messages to anyone on LinkedIn, even if you are not connected.
This opens up a world of possibilities for reaching out to potential clients, partners, or industry influencers who can help you grow your business.
Account Insights
Another valuable benefit of LinkedIn Premium is access to detailed account insights. With this feature, you can see who has viewed your profile, get real-time updates on job changes within your network, and gain insights into your target accounts.
This information can be extremely valuable for identifying warm leads, understanding your customers’ needs, and tailoring your sales approach accordingly.
Team Plans
For sales teams, LinkedIn Premium offers team plans that provide additional benefits. These plans allow team members to collaborate more effectively, share leads and contacts, and gain access to exclusive features and training resources.
By leveraging the power of LinkedIn Premium as a team, sales professionals can amplify their results and drive greater revenue for their organization.
Downsides of LinkedIn Premium
Cost over Free Version
One of the main downsides of LinkedIn Premium is the cost. While the free version of LinkedIn offers many useful features, such as the ability to connect with professionals, join groups, and browse job listings, LinkedIn Premium comes with a monthly fee.
The cost of LinkedIn Premium can range from $29.99 to $59.99 per month, depending on the subscription plan chosen. For some users, the cost may not be justified, especially if they do not make full use of the premium features.
Unnecessary for Some Users
LinkedIn Premium offers a range of additional features, such as InMail credits, advanced search filters, and access to LinkedIn Learning courses. However, these features may not be necessary for all users.
For example, if a user is primarily using LinkedIn for networking purposes and does not require the advanced search filters or InMail credits, they may find that the free version of LinkedIn meets their needs adequately.
It is important for users to assess their specific requirements before deciding whether or not to invest in LinkedIn Premium.
Hard to Cancel
Another downside of LinkedIn Premium is that some users have reported difficulty in canceling their subscription. LinkedIn’s cancellation process can be confusing and time-consuming, with users having to navigate through several pages and prompts before successfully canceling their subscription.
This can be frustrating for users who no longer wish to use the premium features but find themselves locked into a recurring monthly payment.
Ongoing Monthly Fee
Unlike the free version of LinkedIn which is completely free to use, LinkedIn Premium requires users to pay a monthly fee. This ongoing monthly fee can be a deterrent for some users, especially those who are on a tight budget or do not see enough value in the premium features to justify the expense.
It is important for users to consider the long-term financial commitment before subscribing to LinkedIn Premium.
Tips for Getting the Most from Premium
LinkedIn Premium offers a wide range of features and benefits that can greatly enhance your professional networking and job search efforts. To make the most of your investment in LinkedIn Premium, here are some valuable tips to consider:
1. Utilize Advanced Search Filters
One of the key advantages of LinkedIn Premium is the ability to use advanced search filters to find specific professionals, companies, or job opportunities. Take advantage of these filters to narrow down your search results and target your ideal connections or job prospects.
2. Take Advantage of InMail
InMail is a powerful messaging feature that allows you to directly contact and connect with professionals outside of your immediate network. With LinkedIn Premium, you have a certain number of InMail credits each month, so use them wisely.
Craft personalized and compelling messages to increase your chances of receiving a response.
3. Access Insights and Analytics
LinkedIn Premium provides access to valuable insights and analytics about your profile and activity. Take the time to analyze this data to understand how you are performing on the platform. Use these insights to optimize your profile, tailor your messaging, and track your progress towards your professional goals.
4. Utilize Learning Resources
LinkedIn Learning is a valuable resource for professional development. With LinkedIn Premium, you have access to a vast library of courses and tutorials to enhance your skills and knowledge. Take advantage of this feature to stay ahead in your industry and increase your marketability.
5. Stay Active and Engaged
LinkedIn is a networking platform, and being active and engaged is crucial for building meaningful connections and establishing your professional presence. Regularly post updates, engage with others’ content, join relevant groups, and participate in discussions to expand your network and increase your visibility.
Remember, LinkedIn Premium is an investment in your professional growth and career advancement. By implementing these tips and fully utilizing the features and benefits it offers, you can maximize the value and potential of your LinkedIn Premium subscription.
Conclusion
For most networking purposes, LinkedIn’s free platform is sufficient. But Premium features like unlimited searching and messaging provide active job hunters and salespeople an edge.
Individuals should assess Premium’s career-boosting potential against its monthly price tag to determine if the upgrade is worthwhile for their goals.
