LinkedIn’s 80+ million 100+ million users arguably make it the dominant online networking platform for business. But just how useful are the Premium accounts?
This post assumes that you are a LinkedIn user.
I have been an active LinkedIn user since September 13, 2004. To find your ‘start date’, go to your Settings: it’s just visible in light grey text, top right.
LinkedIn is part of my own daily workflow; indeed I advocate using it to people I work with. So I thought it would be useful to know more about Premium accounts. The question is: Is it worth investing in a Premium account?
Features
A top level view on the various additional features of Premium accounts is found in LinkedIn’s Help Centre.
Here’s a series of short videos on Premium features.
The best way to compare the feature variables for Premium accounts is via ‘Compare account types’, also found in your profile Settings view. (You’ll need to log in and browse to your Settings page).
On the ‘Compare accounts’ page I was surprised to find:
- four different Premium accounts for Business users
- three for Jobseekers
- four for Recruiters
As you’d expect, there’s a kind of Bronze-Silver-Gold price scheme.
Ask the audience
After understanding the options I turned to my network for its opinion.
I asked “Can #LinkedIn users please tell me whether they have found value in using a Premium account?” Here’s one reply.
I also asked my LinkedIn network the same question. The silence seemed telling.
Obviously this was a straw poll… but here goes: “Is it worth upgrading to a LinkedIn premium account?”
- Yes 0
- No 5
- Maybe 2
The results above are drawn solely from my network, and won’t stand up to statistical analysis, but they helped me decide not to upgrade.
LinkedIn Premium accounts could be useful for those boldly taking all contact management and email activity onto the platform. I prefer to use other tools for contact management, comms and admin. LinkedIn is just part of the picture.
There is much debate about the value of Premium accounts. You have to start somewhere, and I’ve picked out this post by a disappointed user.
If you have a view on LinkedIn Premium accounts, please comment below – thanks.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Mick. My settings tell me that I’ve been a member since 9th August 2004. In that time, I’ve upgraded my account twice for a period of about a month each time. The first time was when I was doing my MBA dissertation in 2005 and needed to find senior people for research. The second time was when I set up Clear Thought in 2008. For research, it was great and I was able to get in touch with senior decision-makers that I don’t think I would have achieved another way. For Clear Thought, it was less useful as to be honest it was going back through the existing black book, and Twitter, that did the trick for me getting the word out. I do have a client who has used the service excellently. Again, he’s after very senior, corporate, decision-makers. I think most people fail to see the benefits because writing a compelling ‘cold’ inMail is a real challenge. So, I think it depends on how you’re using it, and your skills for doing so.
It’s good to hear a positive view! I can see how upgrading for a short time can work.
A number of people have said it’s not easy to capitalise on the InMail upgrades. After all, it’s just an email by any other name, and not guaranteed to get a response.
Thanks again, Bryony.
Hi Mick,
Coincidentally, I cancelled my premium account trial today so as to avoid the £33/month charge for the service. I was asked to give feedback as to why I wanted to cancel and stated that I am unable to justify the cost based on what I’ve seen in a month, largely because the beenfits are so marginal. Inmails seem to be the only notable addition to my account but in reality it’s not difficult to track down anyone’s email address and contact them directly anyway. The search function allows you to view more pages but in reality, if you haven’t found what you want in the first 10 pages… you aint gonna find it! Simply refine your search if that’s the case and start again.
My conclusion, yes I’d like to have a “premium” account but for no other reason than vanity (you get a little badge on your account that says you’re one of the special ones). Is it worth it? Sadly no.
ps I love Linkedin and as a firm advocate have compelled many colleagues and friends to open an account.
Hi Rory,
with so many monthly subscriptions to pay, if you’re anything like me, you think long and hard about which ones are delivering value. LinkedIn is important to me — but I’ve never been able to justify the Premium fees.
Thanks for the input, appreciated.