Are “Premium Requests” on LinkedIn Really Worth It?

EXEED Team
2 hours ago
5 min read

Have you ever wondered whether the “premium requests” you see on LinkedIn are a goldmine of leads, or just a subtle push to upgrade?

The short answer: sometimes they are an access gate, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re worthless. Whether you should upgrade comes down to your goals, your profile, and how you follow through.

Here’s a practical, no-fluff breakdown to help you decide, with real questions to ask, a 30-day test plan, and actionable alternatives if you’d rather hold off for now.

What are “premium requests” (usually)

When you see “premium requests” on LinkedIn, what you’re typically looking at is:

Listings or project requests that are visible only to Premium members.
Features such as filtered access, expanded search, or specialized messaging that paying members unlock.
Not generally a guarantee that someone will come knocking on your door, ready to hire you individually.

In other words, they’re less like “someone found you and wants you” and more like “here’s a pool of leads you can now swim in”. That’s not bad, but it’s not the magic bullet either.

Why so many people feel tricked

There’s a gap between expectation and reality, and that’s what trips folks up. Here’s what often happens:

You upgrade hoping for hand-picked leads delivered to you. Instead, you get access to a pool of leads that many others also see.
LinkedIn doesn’t guarantee conversion. What you get is access to tools, what you still need is action.
If your profile, outreach, or follow up isn’t ready, Premium access alone won’t move the needle.
Result: you pay and don’t see a return, hence the feeling of being “trapped”.

Key questions to ask before you click “Upgrade”

To determine whether upgrading to LinkedIn Premium makes sense for you, ask yourself:

What do I want LinkedIn to deliver? More interviews? Freelance gigs? Clients? Outbound prospects?
Is my profile already optimized? A clear headline, a results-focused summary, rich portfolio links and case studies help. Without those, access won’t help.
Do I have the bandwidth to follow up? If you can’t respond quickly, craft personalized messages, or nurture leads, having access won’t turn into wins.
Can I test it first? Do you have time to run a 30 to 90 day test and measure what you get?
Are deal sizes large enough? If your expected win from one client offsets the subscription cost, it’s more likely to be worth it.

A 30-90 Day Test Plan

Here’s how to run a low-risk test so you can evaluate whether LinkedIn Premium and its “premium requests” channel is worth the cost.

Step 1: Audit your profile

Make headline client-/outcome-focused (e.g., “I help X achieve Y in Z”).
Write a summary focusing on results, not features (e.g., “In the past year I generated 150% ROI for 10 clients”).
Add portfolio links, case studies, client logos, recommendations.
Make sure your “Services” section (if you use it) is clear and addresses pain points.

Step 2: Start your trial or monthly plan

Activate Premium or a trial and note exactly how many “premium requests” you can access.
Track: how many you viewed, how many you responded to, and how many turned into conversations.

Step 3: Measure conversions

From “viewed requests” > “conversations started” > “qualified leads” > “closed deals”.
Calculate cost-per-lead (subscription cost divided by number of leads) and cost-per-conversion.
Compare this to other channels you use (ads, freelance platforms, referrals).

Step 4: Decide

After 30- 90 days, ask: Did I get at least one high-value lead that justifies the subscription?
If yes, keep going but continue tracking.
If no, pause the subscription and revisit your profile/targeting, or invest elsewhere.

Tactical Tips to Make Premium Actually Work

If you decide to go ahead, treat the upgrade as a tool, not a guarantee. Here’s how to use it well:

Respond quickly & personally: Pick the premium-requests you can genuinely address and tailor your response. Reference specifics.
Use analytics: Premium often gives you more insights into who is viewing your profile, use this to refine your outreach.
Combine features smartly: If you have or consider tools like Sales Navigator, use filters to find ideal matches, then use the premium-requests channel as another touchpoint.
Refine your pitch: Create short, tailor-ready message templates for different client types, so you can quickly personalize rather than starting from scratch each time.
Follow up: One well-timed follow-up message can unlock a response where a single message wouldn’t. Persistence matters.
Optimize your profile continuously: Your profile is your first “ask” in many cases. Keep updating case studies, testimonials, and featured work.

Alternatives If You Don’t Want to Upgrade Yet

Trying to justify a subscription and not feeling ready? No problem: plenty of good alternatives.

Optimize your profile and content: Post client case-studies, short videos, before and after results. Let inbound leads find you organically.
Leverage groups and niche communities: Engage in meaningful discussions where your ideal clients hang out, build trust and visibility.
Use freelance or project-based platforms: Sites like Upwork, Fiverr or specialist marketplaces can deliver quicker wins to build proof.
Ask for introductions: Instead of relying on Premium’s gating access, use your network and ask your 2nd-degree connections for warm intros.
Outsource targeted outreach: Hiring a freelance outreach specialist or agency might be cheaper and faster than paying for an ongoing subscription when you’re still figuring things out.

When LinkedIn Premium Is Worth It

Here are the conditions where upgrading makes sense:

You’re already actively doing outreach, responding swiftly and tailoring messages.
Your deal size is large enough that even one win justifies the monthly cost.
You need the analytics / visibility or need to message people you otherwise couldn’t reach.
You’re committed to tracking, optimizing, and treating this as a marketing channel.

When It’s Probably Not Worth It

And when it’s better to hold off:

You’re hoping for a flood of hand-picked leads without improving your profile or outreach.
Your target audience rarely uses LinkedIn for hiring/buying in your niche.
You don’t have time to follow up, send tailored messages, or actually respond to inquiries.

Watch This: A Real World Walkthrough

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A Final Thought

“Premium requests” on LinkedIn are a tool, not a magic wand. They can help open doors, but those doors still require you to walk through them. If you treat Premium access like a channel that needs your optimization, follow-up, and messaging , you’ll be far better placed to judge whether it’s worth the investment.