Subscribing to a newsletter on LinkedIn can be a great way to stay up-to-date with industry news, insights from thought leaders, and tips relevant to your profession. But what exactly happens when you decide to subscribe to a LinkedIn newsletter? Here’s an overview of what you can expect.
You’ll receive emails from the newsletter publisher
The most basic outcome of subscribing to a LinkedIn newsletter is that you’ll start receiving emails from the publisher. The frequency and timing of the emails will depend on the individual newsletter. Some send daily or weekly updates, while others may be more sporadic.
The emails will contain the type of content promoted in the newsletter description on LinkedIn. This could include articles, blog posts, videos, polls, event invites, and more. Expect the content to align with the general topic of the newsletter.
Newsletter emails may include calls to action
In addition to the main content, newsletter emails often include calls to action. These CTAs may encourage you to click a link, download an asset, register for a webinar, or take some other desired action.
Calls to action allow newsletter publishers to drive traffic, generate leads, and quantify engagement. Typical CTAs include “Register Now”, “Download Now”, and “Learn More”.
You may gain access to gated content
By subscribing to a newsletter, you may unlock access to exclusive content reserved only for subscribers. This gated content provides an incentive to subscribe and gives newsletter publishers a way to offer extended value.
Gated content could include things like special reports, industry research, templates, checklists, and discounts. Access may be granted directly within the newsletter emails themselves or on the publisher’s website after logging in.
Interacting with emails may tailor your experience
When you click links in newsletter emails and interact with CTAs, some newsletter providers will track this activity. They can then tailor and optimize the content they send you based on your interests and engagement.
For example, clicking articles about a certain topic may lead you to receive more content focused on that area. Or opening emails on a certain day/time could inform the delivery schedule. This makes the experience more relevant for subscribers.
You may have options to manage preferences
Most newsletter providers give subscribers the ability to manage their preferences and settings. Depending on the sophistication of the email platform, you may be able to:
- Update the frequency of emails (daily, weekly, etc.)
- Choose categories of content to receive/not receive
- Pick the time of day to receive emails
- Opt in or out of different types of messages (promotions, surveys, etc.)
Updating your preferences can help ensure the newsletter retains value for you as a subscriber over time.
There are benefits beyond receiving emails
Joining a newsletter extends your relationship with the publisher beyond just receiving emails. Here are some of the other benefits you may unlock:
- Discounts: Newsletter subscribers sometimes get access to special discounts on products, services, or events.
- Early access: Publishers may provide subscribers with early access to things like new content, research reports, event registration, and more.
- Exclusive content: As mentioned earlier, subscribers may get access to content not available to the general public.
- Community: Newsletters can provide a sense of community around shared interests and industries.
You’ll appear as a follower of the newsletter
When you subscribe to a LinkedIn newsletter, you are publicly displayed as a follower of that newsletter on LinkedIn. This allows other users to see the newsletters and publishers you follow.
Appearing as a follower can signal your interests and industry focus. It also helps newsletter publishers attract more subscribers when others see who is following.
How to subscribe to LinkedIn newsletters
Subscribing to LinkedIn newsletters is easy and can be done in just a few clicks. Here are the steps:
- Go to the LinkedIn page of the person or company publishing the newsletter.
- Click “Follow” next to the newsletter listing under the “About” section of their profile.
- Confirm you want to subscribe by clicking “Follow” in the pop-up window.
You can also subscribe when viewing a newsletter’s dedicated LinkedIn page. There you’ll see a large blue “Follow” button to click to subscribe.
How to unsubscribe from LinkedIn newsletters
If at any point you want to unsubscribe from a LinkedIn newsletter, here are two easy ways to do it:
- Click the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email from the newsletter.
- Visit the publisher’s LinkedIn page, click the “Following” button next to the newsletter, and confirm you want to unfollow.
Unsubscribing removes you from their email list and updates your LinkedIn profile to no longer show you as a follower.
Pros of subscribing to LinkedIn newsletters
Here are some of the main benefits and advantages of subscribing to LinkedIn newsletters:
- Get valuable industry news, insights, and best practices right in your inbox
- Discover relevant content published across LinkedIn in one convenient email
- Stay on top of trends and happenings in your profession
- Gain early access to research reports, exclusive content, and events
- Follow thought leaders and get their perspectives
- Take advantage of subscriber-only discounts and promotions
- Get customized content tailored to your interests and engagement
Potential cons of subscribing to LinkedIn newsletters
A few potential downsides to consider before subscribing include:
- Email inbox can become cluttered if you subscribe to too many
- Content quality can vary depending on the publisher
- Newsletters may have a lot of promotional content mixed in
- Frequent emails could become annoying or distracting
- Must proactively unsubscribe if no longer interested
- Gated content usually requires sharing your work email and details
Tips for managing LinkedIn newsletter subscriptions
Here are some tips to get the most value out of LinkedIn newsletters while also managing any potential downsides:
- Curate a select list of high-quality newsletters aligned with your interests
- Set up a separate folder in your email just for newsletters to easily scan headlines
- Take advantage of preferences to control email frequency and content categories
- Browse gated content without sharing work emails whenever possible
- Periodically review subscriptions and prune any no longer relevant
- Leverage newsletters mainly for staying aware, then go directly to sources for deeper reading
Most popular types of LinkedIn newsletter content
LinkedIn newsletters span nearly every industry and niche. But several categories of content tend to perform well in the newsletter format:
- Industry news roundups: Curated summaries of top news with analysis and insights
- Business tips / life hacks: Actionable advice for professionals and businesses
- Research reports: Data, surveys, and interviews on key topics
- Career / leadership advice: Guidance on skills, resumes, negotiation, management, etc.
- Product update announcements: New features, releases, integrations from software vendors
- Expert interviews: Q&As with thought leaders across disciplines
Most popular types of LinkedIn newsletters
Here are some of the most popular categories of newsletters found on LinkedIn currently:
- Technology and software
- Leadership and management
- Future of work trends
- Marketing, sales, and social media
- Workplace culture and human resources
- Entrepreneurship and small business
- Job search and career development
- Workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Work-life balance and mental health
Within these broad categories you’ll find more targeted newsletters focused on specific industries, job functions, skills, use cases, and verticals.
Examples of popular LinkedIn newsletters
To give you a sense of the diversity of LinkedIn newsletters, here are a few popular examples across different focus areas:
Marketing:
- HubSpot Blog
- Marketo Marketing Nation
- Moz Top of Funnel
- Social Media Examiner Insider
Leadership:
- Adam Grant’s WorkLife Newsletter
- Daniel Pink’s Pink Newsletter
- Simon Sinek’s Learning Community Newsletter
Technology:
- MIT Technology Review’s The Algorithm
- Wired Business and Tech Briefing
- The Hustle Tech Trends
Career advice:
- The Muse Career Contessa
- Forbes Careers Newsletter
- Harvard Business Review Careers Update
Entrepreneurship:
- Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People
- Entrepreneur Newsletter
- Inc. Fresh Inc.
Browse LinkedIn newsletters in your industry to find ones that align with your role, interests, and preferences.
Tips for discovering new LinkedIn newsletters
With tens of thousands of newsletters on LinkedIn, here are some tips for finding new ones to subscribe to:
- Search keywords related to your profession, industry, or interests
- Check out newsletters followed by your LinkedIn connections and groups
- Explore the company pages of brands you admire for any newsletters
- Browse the LinkedIn newsletters featured as curated by LinkedIn editors
- View newsletters suggested when following other newsletters
- Check LinkedIn hashtags and join conversations around your interests
- Get personalized newsletter recommendations on your LinkedIn feed
Criteria for evaluating LinkedIn newsletters
When considering a new LinkedIn newsletter, here are some criteria to evaluate if it’s worth subscribing:
- Does the content align with your role, industry, or interests?
- Is the newsletter relevant to your goals and professional needs?
- Does the publisher create high-quality content consistently?
- Are newsletter subscribers engaging and discussing the content?
- Does the email frequency match your preferences?
- Does the publisher share insights beyond just promoting themselves?
- Is the content formatted in a readable way for your inbox?
Asking these questions can help ensure a newsletter provides ongoing value that respects your time and attention.
Tips for getting the most from LinkedIn newsletters
Here are a few tips to help maximize the value you get from the LinkedIn newsletters you subscribe to:
- Set up an exclusive newsletter folder in your email client
- Scan headlines in batches to quickly identify worthwhile content
- Take a few minutes to check them consistently (e.g. daily or weekly)
- Click selectively on content most relevant to you
- Save/bookmark particularly valuable content to revisit later
- Share especially insightful newsletters with your network
- Apply advice and tips from quality newsletters to boost your skills
- Feel free to unsubscribe from any no longer useful to declutter
Should you subscribe to a LinkedIn newsletter?
Subscribing to LinkedIn newsletters can provide real value – but they aren’t right for everyone. Here are a few key questions to consider when deciding if LinkedIn newsletters are worth it for you:
- Do you prefer consuming information by reading vs. audio or video?
- Are you short on time and want content curated and delivered to you?
- Do you have a very niche professional interest that newsletters may cover?
- Are you comfortable receiving regular emails to your inbox?
- Do you have a system to manage newsletters productively?
- Will you actually read and engage with the newsletter content?
- Are there specific publishers whose insights would benefit you?
If your answers lean more positively, LinkedIn newsletters may be a valuable channel to add. But if email newsletters won’t fit your style or workflow, they may not be worth the clutter. Evaluate your own needs and preferences to decide if subscribing makes sense.
Conclusion
Subscribing to LinkedIn newsletters can provide a useful stream of curated insights delivered right to your inbox. But to maximize the value, be selective in which newsletters you subscribe to, tailor your preferences, and continually review if they still meet your needs. With a thoughtful strategy, LinkedIn newsletters can become an efficient way to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.