In today’s competitive job market, having a strong LinkedIn presence is more important than ever. With over 722 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform and an invaluable tool for expanding your professional network and opportunities. However, LinkedIn’s premium subscriptions don’t come cheap – prices range from $29.99 per month for Premium to $79.99 per month for Sales Navigator. Fortunately, with some effort and creativity, it is possible to access LinkedIn’s premium features without breaking the bank.
Evaluate if you really need a premium subscription
Before rushing to pay for a premium subscription, take an honest look at how you currently use LinkedIn and what value you expect to gain from the premium features. Do you need the ability to send unlimited InMails for recruiting? Are you a sales professional who would benefit from seeing expanded profiles and lead recommendations? Or do you simply want to expand your network and access additional job listings? If you won’t use the premium features frequently, you may be better off saving your money and using LinkedIn’s free offerings instead.
Sign up for LinkedIn’s free one month trial
The best way to evaluate if a paid subscription is worthwhile is to test it out yourself. LinkedIn offers one month free trials of both Premium and Sales Navigator. Take advantage of the free trial to experience the premium features first-hand. Evaluate if the additional capabilities are worth the monthly charge for your personal needs. Be sure to set a reminder to cancel before the month is up to avoid being charged.
Look for student and academic discounts
If you are currently enrolled as a student or work at an academic institution, you may qualify for special discounted LinkedIn subscription rates. LinkedIn offers student accounts with Premium access for just $14.99 per month. Faculty and staff at accredited colleges and universities can also get discounts up to 60% off regular pricing through LinkedIn’s educational subscription programs. Taking advantage of academic discounts is a great way to get Premium access at a fraction of the regular monthly cost.
Split costs with colleagues
Another creative way to reduce the cost of a paid LinkedIn subscription is to go in on a shared company subscription with colleagues, splitting the costs. Many of LinkedIn’s premium features like InMail credits can be pooled across multiple user accounts under a single company license. For example, you and two colleagues could share a Sales Navigator Team subscription, which starts at $54.99 per month, and each pay around $18 per month. By dividing the subscription cost, you can each gain access to premium features at an affordable price point.
Use LinkedIn’s nonprofit donation program
If you work or volunteer with a registered nonprofit organization, LinkedIn may provide free Premium access through their charitable donation program. Nonprofits focused on causes like education, veterans assistance, job training, and health services can apply to receive donated Premium licenses. While not guaranteed, this program provides valuable Premium access at no cost for eligible nonprofits and their employees or volunteers who need LinkedIn’s tools to further their mission.
Find discounts from other companies
Some other companies offer discounts on LinkedIn subscriptions as a customer perk or bonus incentive. For example, certain credit cards like American Express may provide statement credits towards the cost of a paid LinkedIn membership as part of their rewards programs. Some business software tools that integrate with LinkedIn also offer discounted subscription rates as part of their partner or affiliate programs. Shopping around and exploring other services you use can reveal money-saving opportunities for LinkedIn Premium access.
Use browser extensions and tools
If you only need limited premium features occasionally, free web browser extensions and tools may provide helpful workarounds. For example, LinkedIn InMail for Chrome allows you to send a certain number of InMails per month for free. Other Chrome extensions like LinkedIn Jobs Search and LinkedIn Auto Connect+ automate searching and network building. While not full substitutes for Premium, these tools can supplement your free membership with helpful capabilities.
Find coupons and promo deals
Actively look for LinkedIn subscription discounts by searching for coupons, promo codes, and special deals. LinkedIn periodically offers discounts like 30% off Premium for new subscribers who purchase through their mobile apps. Money saving and coupon sites like Groupon or RetailMeNot also sometimes offer promo codes for discounted LinkedIn memberships. Taking advantage of one-time promotions and coupon codes can provide substantial savings on your first year of Premium or Sales Navigator access.
Join Premium Basic via Microsoft bundles
Here is one clever trick: Since Microsoft now owns LinkedIn, look for Microsoft subscription bundles that include Premium Basic for free or at a reduced rate. For example, joining Microsoft 365 Family (which also includes Office apps, OneDrive storage, and more) currently provides LinkedIn Premium Basic at no additional cost. Combining LinkedIn with other Microsoft services can effectively subsidize part of the LinkedIn subscription cost.
Trade services with someone who has a subscription
If you have a unique skill or service to offer, consider trading your services to someone in your network who already has a paid LinkedIn subscription in exchange for them sharing access. For example, if you are a marketing professional, perhaps you could assist a Premium member who owns a small business with their LinkedIn ads and posts in return for them adding you to their company subscription. Getting creative with non-cash trades can provide Premium access without paying the standard cash fees.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn’s premium subscriptions can be pricey, there are many effective ways to access advanced features for free or at significant discounts. Consider what capabilities you truly require, explore special discounts, utilize free tools and extensions, or get creative with service trades or shared access. With some effort, you can unlock LinkedIn’s premium advantages without overspending.