LinkedIn Premium: The Decision to Renew or Not
As an experienced user of LinkedIn, I've had a bit of a love-hate relationship with their Premium service. While I continually find the platform incredibly useful, my subscription habits have largely been dictated by the occasional free trial, with a quick cancellation just before the offer expires. This raises the question: under what circumstances should you consider renewing your LinkedIn Premium subscription?
The Drawbacks of LinkedIn Premium
First, let's address the negatives. My primary issue is the recurring cost. At $19.99 per month, it seems to be a steep price for what can be easily achieved with alternative methods. There are numerous tools and strategies online that can serve as viable substitutes for LinkedIn Premium features. For instance, free months and other discount offers can be found, but there are also other networking and job search methods that don't require a monthly subscription.
Usefulness for Job Seekers and Sales Professionals
Despite my reluctance to pay monthly, LinkedIn Premium can be beneficial under certain circumstances. If you're actively seeking employment, Premium can provide valuable insights and tools that can aid in your job search. Similarly, for those in sales, having access to third-degree connections can be a game-changer. Third-degree connections are individuals that are an introduction or two away, and they can be incredibly useful in expanding your network and identifying potential leads.
The Disappearance of Answers: A Major Blow?
One significant change that LinkedIn made recently was the removal of the Answers feature. Initially, this feature was a goldmine for professionals seeking specialized information and advice. It was a great place to ask and answer questions, enhancing the value of the platform. The answer to whether LinkedIn Premium is worth it in this new landscape hinges on whether the remaining features outweigh the loss of this valuable resource. If you are not actively looking for a job or gathering sales leads, the removal of this feature might make the subscription less appealing.
My Experience with LinkedIn Premium Job Seeker
During a period when I was considering leaving my company, I tried the LinkedIn Premium Job Seeker feature. While I didn’t experience a significant increase in job leads, it’s possible that my position in a specific industry limited this benefit. I did, however, value the month-long trial period, which allowed me to evaluate the feature's usefulness without committing to a monthly subscription.
Call for Improvement and Third-Degree Contacts
In light of these observations, there are areas where LinkedIn can improve. For sales professionals, having access to third-degree contacts for research purposes is a crucial tool. This feature, currently only available for a paid option, can provide invaluable information for target campaigns. Similarly, if LinkedIn could reintroduce the Answers feature or enhance its current features to better cater to a broader range of professional needs, it could make the subscription more enticing for a wider audience.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to renew a LinkedIn Premium subscription comes down to personal and professional needs. While the platform offers a wealth of resources and connections, its value is contingent on active job seeking, sales pursuits, or the reintroduction of features like Answers. For most professionals, the decision should be based on a thorough evaluation of the benefits that LinkedIn Premium provides, compared to free alternatives and the potential for third-party tools that can fill the gaps.