Tool Reviews
Yasmina Akni Ebourki
Last updated: Aug 16, 2024
It’s been years since LinkedIn introduced its premium version.
As you know, LinkedIn is the social network for professionals, freelancers, companies, and more.
Even the free version provides access to a wide variety of professional profiles, quality content, some analytics, private messages, and various opportunities.
However, there are times when you might reach the limits of the free version, and that’s where the premium features come into play.
Let’s explore what LinkedIn’s paid versions offer and put them to the test to answer the questions: What do they provide, and who are they for?
TL;DR: LinkedIn Premium opens a range of features. With Premium, you can send InMail, see who’s viewing your profile, and access LinkedIn Learning courses.
Additionally, it provides advanced search filters and detailed insights into companies and job post.
What is LinkedIn Premium?
Let's start with the basics.
If you're new to LinkedIn and haven't heard of LinkedIn Premium, it's the paid version of LinkedIn that offers more advanced features compared to the free version.
In essence, LinkedIn Premium is like upgrading from a standard model to a luxury one—more refined, more comprehensive, and with enhanced capabilities that take your LinkedIn experience to the next level.
After testing it out, I've compiled a list of standout features so you know what to expect when you decide to go premium.
Here’s a brief overview of the advantages LinkedIn Premium offers before we dive into the details of each feature:
The advantages of LinkedIn can be summarized as follows:
Increases your profile's visibility.
Offers advanced filters for better searching.
Allows you to send direct messages to users outside your network.
Provides a wide range of online courses and certifications.
Includes a long freemium trial period.
Different Plans and Pricing
Like any premium version, none of them come for free (unfortunately). Let’s take a look at the prices LinkedIn offers:
In addition to the free version, LinkedIn presents us with two complementary options: Premium Career and Premium Business.
LinkedIn Career is intended for job seekers, and starts at $29.99/month.
LinkedIn Business for professional networking and business opportunities, at $47.99/month.
Benefits of LinkedIn Premium
Once you’ve signed up or started your free trial, LinkedIn Premium provides a range of enhanced features.
Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:
Advanced Search Filters
One standout feature that many recruiters and sales professionals love is the Advanced Search Filters.
Before LinkedIn Premium, some profiles were harder to access, but now you can use filters to fine-tune your searches and reach a broader range of profiles.
As I said, this feature is a game-changer for both job seekers and recruiters.
It helps you find exactly what you're looking for and saves you time by making your search more efficient.
The filters are extensive but easy to use. You can set criteria like experience level, job title, industry, and company size.
This customized approach helps you quickly find the most relevant candidates or opportunities, making your search process a lot more effective.
InMail Messaging
Another standout feature of LinkedIn Premium is InMail, which lets you send messages to anyone on LinkedIn, even if you're not connected.
Depending on which plan you have, you can send different amount of messages.
With Premium Career, you get 5 InMails per month, while Premium Business gives you 15 InMails each month.
InMail messaging offers several key advantages.
Firstly, it allows you to contact anyone on LinkedIn, regardless of your connection level, which significantly broadens your networking opportunities.
This means that your InMails are prioritized in recipients' inboxes, boosting the likelihood of your message being seen and responded to.
Additionally, if the recipient replies to your InMail, the credit used is refunded, making it a cost-effective communication tool.
Overall, InMail enhances your ability to connect with valuable contacts and explore new opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
Learning and Development
LinkedIn has truly expanded its offerings; it’s no longer just about accessing profiles and sending emails.
With LinkedIn Premium, you also get access to LinkedIn Learning, a comprehensive online library of courses that helps you make the most of these features.
The modules are divided into three main categories:
Business Essentials: Covering key topics such as Microsoft Excel, marketing, sales, and accounting.
Technology: Featuring subjects like Python, data science, and software development.
Creativity: Including courses on Photoshop, graphic design, video production, and photography.
Some of these courses even offer certifications that you can add directly to your LinkedIn profile.
These courses and training sessions are especially valuable for beginners looking to develop a LinkedIn strategy or create engaging posts.
Who Viewed Your Profile
Another feature you'll notice with your LinkedIn Premium access is the ability to see who has viewed your profile.
So, why is this useful?
It lets you identify potential clients who might be interested in your services.
You can reach out with a message like, "Hi, I noticed you checked out my post on [topic]…" and start a conversation that could eventually lead to a business opportunity.
For sales and prospecting, this tool is incredibly valuable.
If you're job hunting, it helps you track which companies are viewing your profile.
This insight allows you to tailor your outreach and improve your messaging.
Additionally, you can categorize these viewers based on their interests or the industries they work in, helping you prioritize your follow-ups effectively.
Final Verdict
In summary, LinkedIn Premium offers a suite of valuable features that can greatly benefit users.
While the cost might seem steep for individual content creators, it can be a strategic investment for larger companies with substantial revenue and extensive teams.
For these organizations, the time savings and advanced capabilities provided by LinkedIn Premium could justify the expense.
I recommend taking advantage of the free trial to evaluate whether LinkedIn Premium aligns with your specific needs.
Consider how it supports your business or personal objectives and whether it provides a strong return on investment.
LinkedIn is consistently enhancing its platform, and the additional features, particularly the learning resources, could offer significant advantages for those looking to refine their strategies or boost engagement with their content.
