I'm interested in any testimonials or thoughts about whether it helps to upgrade to a FEE-BASED LinkedIn account from the FREE version?
Does upgrading LinkedIn to a premium (fee-based) account help with a job search?
Answers
Bob,
Absolutely....in fact I know people who just use it for networking on steroids.
It lets you do inmails and intros and such. It lets you see far more data.
I personally think it is a bit pricey, but it isn't much more pricey than dating services (and that's pretty much part of the whole model).
There are some limits....if people don't respond to your requests you will run out of them (they don't time out) and deleting them is very slow.
I have found it useful. I know others who are power users (analytics and such) who get even more value than I do.
Cheers,
KP
1
Keith,
I tried to Sales/Marketing Prem account for a month. I just didn't find it offered *me* anything over the base plan.
Maybe I'm using it incorrectly, maybe I wasn't.
Am I the only one who feels this way?
It depends on how you are planning to use it, Bob.
As a job seeker, I don't think the paid version is necessary. It's an option, just not a necessary option. The info job seekers need/want is available for free.
If you are in sales &
Bob,
I agree with Cindy. As a job-seeker, it doesn't provide that edge the way they market it. I tried the paid service for a few months and it isn't much different than what you can do with the free service. My main reason for upgrading was to replenish my InMails (I had exhausted the free ones).
Even though they guarantee a response to the InMails, I didn't receive responses back. This isn't within their control, of course, but is a premise of their sales pitch.
All other capabilities are available via the free membership. My advice - save your money.
Haresh
Wondering if Haresh got his money back since he got no response. Before I would spend money, I would want some kind of assurance that I would get my money's worth (guaranteed response rate, job offers, etc) Otherwise, why spend the money
1
Keith,
They do credit back the InMail if there hasn't been a response in 5 days (the duration within which they guarantee the response). However, the InMails do expire within 90 days if unused.
Responses are dependent on the recipients so I don't think LinkedIn has any control over it. If the recipient chooses not to respond, there's nothing that can be done.
To me, beyond the InMails, there was no value to the paid subscription. So I cancelled. At least that was easy to do online.
Haresh
It depends on how you want to use it. Some people argue (strongly) that "buying" does not ensure success, while others swear by it. The key to a premium service on LinkedIn is it's InMails option. But as with any service, it is how you use it and how you measure success.
J.D. Floyd
Interesting, this question is almost 6 months old and LinkedIn is still pushing their premium service (just got another e-mail advert).
Has anyone changed their mind or point of view?
Still though, you don't want to be shut out of ROI on anything. If you don't get the return you are seeking, there should be a refund. If you don't have that kind of faith it will work for EVERYONE who buys it, don't advertise it.
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