As a professional looking to get the most out of LinkedIn, you may be considering upgrading to a premium account. LinkedIn offers three paid subscription plans: Premium Career, Premium Business, and Sales Navigator. With each plan offering additional features beyond the free version, it can be tough to determine which is the best premium plan for your needs. This article will compare the key benefits of LinkedIn’s paid plans to help you decide which premium option is right for you.
Overview of LinkedIn’s Premium Plans
Here is a brief overview of the three premium plans offered by LinkedIn:
LinkedIn Premium Career
The Premium Career plan has features targeted at job seekers and individual professionals. Key benefits include:
- See who has viewed your profile
- Get insights on how you compare to other applicants
- Access to online courses and professional coaching
- 30 InMail messages per month for direct outreach
LinkedIn Premium Business
Premium Business adds tools for promoting yourself and your company.Notable features consist of:
- Create professional brand and company pages
- Publish long-form posts to showcase expertise
- Access employee post insights
- 15 InMail messages per month
LinkedIn Sales Navigator
Sales Navigator provides features tailored for sales professionals.Key highlights include:
- Advanced search and lead recommendations
- Contact insights and news alerts
- Unlimited InMail messages
- Team access and management tools
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Plan
When deciding which premium LinkedIn plan is right for you, here are some key factors to consider:
Your professional goals
Think about your objectives for using LinkedIn. Are you focused on finding a new job or advancing your career? Looking to market a business and establish thought leadership? Needing to generate leads and close sales? Your goals will determine which features will provide the most value.
Your intended audience
Who are you trying to reach and connect with? For job seekers, Premium Career provides access to recruiters. Business users may target customers or industry influencers. Sales Navigator allows you to discover contacts at target accounts. Identify who you need to interact with to achieve your aims.
Your messaging and content needs
Consider how you intend to communicate on LinkedIn. Will you need to send InMail messages to build relationships? Do you want to publish long-form posts and articles? The different plans offer varying quantities of InMail and content options to fit diverse messaging strategies.
Team or individual use
Some plans allow team access while others only cover individual use. If you have multiple team members who need LinkedIn access, choose a premium option that allows sharing capabilities. But for sole proprietors and individual users, an individual plan may suffice.
Your budget
Paid LinkedIn plans range in price from $29.99 per month for Premium Career up to $79.99 per month for Sales Navigator Professional. Consider the ROI of what you’ll gain from the premium features compared to the cost. Your budget will determine which plan works for you.
Comparing Key Features of LinkedIn’s Paid Plans
To see a detailed side-by-side breakdown of what is included with each premium package, here is a comparison table of the key features:
| Feature | Premium Career | Premium Business | Sales Navigator Professional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile Views | See who has viewed your profile | See who has viewed your profile | See who has viewed your profile |
| InMail Messages | 30 messages per month | 15 messages per month | Unlimited messages |
| Content Posting | Standard posts | Long-form articles | Long-form articles |
| Lead & Contact Search | – | – | Advanced filters and recommendations |
| Brand Management | – | Customized company pages | Customized company pages |
| Team Access | Add-on available | Add-on available | Included for up to 30 users |
| Price per Month | $29.99 | $59.99 | $79.99 |
Best LinkedIn Premium Plans for Different Users
Based on the key features and capabilities provided, here are some recommendations on the best premium LinkedIn plans for different types of professional users:
Job Seekers
For individuals focused on advancing their careers through finding new job opportunities, Premium Career is likely the best plan. It provides the core tools needed for networking with recruiters, gaining insights on how you compare to other candidates, and standing out through direct InMail outreach.
Business Owners and Marketing Experts
Premium Business enables establishing thought leadership and promoting brands through long-form posts and customized company pages. The expanded content capabilities make this a great choice for marketers, executives, consultants, and entrepreneurs.
Sales Professionals
Unlimited InMail and specialized lead and contact search tools make Sales Navigator the top choice for salespeople. The expanded network search options facilitate connecting with decision-makers at target companies to generate qualified leads.
Recruiters and HR Professionals
Either Premium Career or Sales Navigator can be ideal for recruiting roles. Premium Career provides insights on candidates in the job market, while Sales Navigator offers sourcing tools to find qualified talent. Which works best depends on specific recruiting needs.
Teams and Small Businesses
For multi-user access, Premium Business and Sales Navigator both offer team options. Sales Navigator may provide more robust collaborative tools for sales teams. But Premium Business offers flexibility for general business use by groups across functions.
Conclusion
The “best” premium LinkedIn plan ultimately depends on the specific objectives and needs of each individual or organization. By outlining your professional goals, target audience, messaging and content strategy, budget, and team requirements, you can determine which paid features will provide the highest value. For most professionals focused on career development and networking, Premium Career covers the core essentials at an affordable price point. For small businesses, Premium Business or Sales Navigator offer more robust brand management and team collaboration capabilities. But assess your unique priorities and use case to decide which premium LinkedIn plan is right for you.
