LinkedIn Premium can be worth it for small business owners and marketers, but it depends on your specific needs and goals. Here’s a quick overview:

• Cost: $59.99/month for Premium Business, $99.99/month for Sales Navigator Core
• Key features: InMail messages, advanced search, profile visibility boost, competitor insights
• Best for: Networking, lead generation, sales prospecting, hiring

Is it right for you?

Bottom line: Try LinkedIn’s free Premium trial to see if it helps you reach your business goals. If you’re not using LinkedIn for serious business growth or job hunting, the free version might be enough.

Remember: LinkedIn Premium is a tool. Ultimately its value depends on how effectively you use its features to support your business objectives.

LinkedIn Premium: Is a LinkedIn Subscription Worth it?

LinkedIn Premium Plans and Costs

LinkedIn’s Premium plans are designed for different professional needs. Let’s look at the options and costs to help you decide if they’re worth it for your business or marketing.

Types of Premium Accounts

LinkedIn offers four main Premium accounts:

1. Premium Career
2. Premium Business
3. Sales Navigator
4. Recruiter Lite

For small business owners and marketers, Premium Business and Sales Navigator are usually the most useful.

Cost Breakdown

Here’s what you’ll pay for the most relevant plans:

LinkedIn often offers a free month to try Premium subscriptions. It’s a good way to test the features before you buy.

Premium Business vs Sales Navigator: What’s the Difference?

Both can help small businesses and marketers, but they’re designed for different goals:

Premium Business is for networking and general business growth. It’s great if you want to:

• Expand your professional network
• Browse profiles without limits
• Get business insights

Sales Navigator is built for sales pros and lead generation. It offers:

• More advanced search tools for finding prospects
• Lead recommendations
• Real-time updates on accounts

If you’re all about lead generation and sales, Sales Navigator might be your best bet. But if you’re more focused on growing your network and business in general, Premium Business could be the way to go.ee months.

Is It Worth the Money?

Let’s cut to the chase: Is LinkedIn Premium worth it for your small business? It depends on how you use it.

Costs vs Benefits

Here’s what you get with LinkedIn Premium:

If you’re all about networking and finding new leads, these features could pay off big time.

But if you’re not using LinkedIn to grow your business, stick with the free version.

Monthly or Yearly?

You can pay monthly or yearly. Here’s the breakdown:

Yearly plans save you cash, but only if you’re in it for the long haul. Not sure? Start monthly.

Is It Working?

To know if Premium is worth it, keep an eye on:

Overwhelmed by Digital Marketing?

Just released: my new book to help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and marketers master digital marketing in today’s digital-first world.

Drawing on my Fractional CMO experience, Digital Threads simplifies complex strategies into clear, actionable steps for success.

Transform your business today—grab your copy! Click the cover or button below to buy on Amazon.

1. How many new connections you’re making
2. How often people respond to your InMails
3. If you’re finding better leads
4. How much time you’re saving on research

Pro tip: LinkedIn offers a free month of Premium. Use it. Test everything. See if it’s worth your money.

A Forrester study found that Sales Navigator delivered a 312% ROI over three years for some companies. Your results may vary, but it shows what’s possible if you use these tools right.

Main Premium Features

LinkedIn Premium packs a punch with tools that can boost your networking and business growth. Let’s look at the key features that can make a real difference for small business owners and marketers.

Using InMail Messages

InMail is LinkedIn’s way to reach out to anyone on the platform, even if you’re not connected. Here’s the scoop:

• Premium Business: 15 InMail credits per month
• Sales Navigator: 50 InMail credits

But it’s not just about how many you can send. It’s about making them count. Here’s how:

1. Craft a personal subject line (like “Coffee chat? Seeking industry insights”)
2. Keep it short and sweet, focusing on value
3. Use InMail to follow up on declined connection requests

Better Search Tools

Premium’s advanced search filters are like a GPS for finding the right contacts. You can zero in on:

• Company size
• Job function
• Years of experience
• And more

This laser-focused approach saves time and helps you spot the best leads.

Who Views Your Profile

Ever wonder who’s checking out your LinkedIn profile? Premium gives you the full picture:

This info is gold for understanding who’s interested in your business and tailoring your outreach.

Checking Out Competitors

Premium lets you peek behind the curtain of other businesses in your field. You can:

• See how you measure up against similar pros
• Spot industry trends
• Find potential partnerships or opportunities

For instance, you might notice a competitor is beefing up their team in a certain area. That could signal a new market focus you should know about.

How to Use Premium Features

LinkedIn Premium packs a punch for small business owners and marketers. Here’s how to squeeze every drop of value from these features:

Growing Your Network

Premium’s advanced search and InMail are your secret weapons for networking:

• Find the right people with advanced filters
• Reach out to anyone with InMail
• Build relationships by engaging with their content

Finding New Customers

Premium helps you spot and connect with potential clients:

Pro Tip: Tailor your InMail messages using info from the recipient’s profile. It’s a game-changer for response rates.

Market Research Tips

Use LinkedIn’s data goldmine for market insights:

Get involved in industry groups. Keep tabs on your competitors. Use Sales Navigator to spot company changes and growth trends.

Hiring Better People

Premium can turbocharge your recruitment:

Use advanced search to find candidates with the exact skills you need. Reach out to passive candidates with InMail. Check “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” to spot interested potential hires.

Who Benefits Most?

LinkedIn Premium isn’t for everyone. But for certain businesses, it’s a goldmine. Let’s break it down.

Service Businesses

If you’re selling services, LinkedIn Premium can be your secret weapon:

• Use InMail to bypass gatekeepers and chat directly with decision-makers.
• See who’s checking out your profile and follow up.
• Find your ideal clients with advanced search filters.

B2B Companies

For B2B, LinkedIn Premium is all about finding leads and building partnerships:

Marketing Consultants

Marketing pros can use LinkedIn Premium to show off their skills and attract clients:

• Share content to get noticed. Premium users who do this are 4x more likely to get service requests.
• Let anyone message you with Open Profile.
• Stay sharp with LinkedIn Learning’s 22,000+ courses.

Mohit Vishwakarma, a marketing consultant, has a tip: “Check who’s viewed your profile. It’s like seeing who’s interested in you. Then, reach out to them. Be natural and offer value.”

The key? Use LinkedIn Premium strategically. It’s not about having fancy features. It’s about using them to hit your business goals.

Other Options to Consider

Before you jump into LinkedIn Premium, let’s look at some other ways to boost your online presence and networking. These options can work alongside or instead of a LinkedIn Premium subscription.

Making Free LinkedIn Work Better

You can get a lot out of LinkedIn’s free version if you use it right:

• Optimize Your Profile: Use keywords in your headline and summary. This helps people find you.
• Engage Often: Share updates, comment on posts, and join group discussions.
• Write Long-form Content: Use LinkedIn’s publishing platform to show what you know.
• Get Your Team Involved: Ask your employees to share company content. This spreads your reach naturally.

Other Business Networks

LinkedIn is great, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Here are some other platforms to consider:

Facebook Groups: These are great for community-driven discussions. Many industries have active Facebook groups where you can share ideas and build relationships.

Twitter Threads: Twitter is perfect for quick insights and joining industry chats. Use hashtags to find relevant conversations.

Meetup: Want to meet people face-to-face? Meetup is your go-to for local, in-person events in your industry or business community.

Xing: If you’re looking to grow in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries, check out Xing. It’s like LinkedIn, but with a European focus.

Slack Communities: Many industries have their own Slack channels. These are great for quick chats, job opportunities, and collaboration with peers.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy LinkedIn Premium?

LinkedIn Premium is especially valuable for professionals in sales, marketing, and job seeking. Key benefits include:

• InMail Access: Direct outreach to clients, partners, and prospects.
• LinkedIn Learning: Broad professional development across fields.
• Profile Insights: Gauge visibility and outreach effectiveness.
• Unlimited Searches: Find candidates and connections with ease.
• Professional Investment: At $60/month, it provides a networking and job application edge.

Pro Tip: Try LinkedIn’s 30-day free trial to see if Premium meets your needs.

For specific goals, advanced tiers can add value:

• Sales Navigator ($99.99/month): Ideal for lead generation, with some companies seeing a 312% ROI.
• Recruiter Lite ($170/month): Enhanced search and InMail for recruiting top talent.
• Premium Business ($59.99/month): Tools for network growth.

When Free LinkedIn Is Enough

Not using LinkedIn for serious business growth or job hunting? The free version might do the trick. You can still:

• Optimize your profile with keywords
• Engage with your network
• Share content and join group discussions