LinkedIn, as part of its social initiatives, has a Plus One Pledge program. Within the ambit of this program, they have distributed free premium coupons to all of its employees globally, due to COVID-19. Each of them is expected to share these coupons within their networks. Each coupon offers a free Career premium of 6 months and we will learn how to get one for ourselves. This guide will direct you step-by-step on how to go about it:
Step 1 - Find LinkedIn Employees
Navigate to the LinkedIn company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linkedin/ and click on the ‘See all ….. employees’ button as pictured below.
Step 2 - Navigate to their profiles and shoot them a message
LinkedIn usually doesn’t allow you to send messages to people who aren’t connected to you unless the receiver either has enough mutual contacts or has privacy settings set to allow it. Connect with some of them if you need to and add a note specifying your purpose within the same.
Pro Tip: Send messages to Indian-origin employees based abroad as they are more likely to not have exhausted their premium coupons already. Also finding people from your college/organization would increase your chances significantly.
State your purpose clearly. Tell them how it would benefit you, why are you looking out for a premium, give them a little background about yourself, and anything else that you think might help. You need to earn it, and your interest should be visible within your pitch. This is the message that I used to send which did the work in my case:
Hello {FirstName},
I came across the update about LinkedIn premiums being available to its employees.I have been posting original content based upon my experiences with the community and a premium account would add credibility and catalyze the process.
It would not only benefit my career but also open a window to opportunities to make healthy contributions to the community. Please do consider me for the same.
Regards,
{LastName}
Step 3 - Wait and keep checking your Inbox
Keep checking your inbox for any updates from those you sent a message to. Many of them might have already exhausted their coupons and might respond back with the same. Some of them might not respond at all. Be patient. Meanwhile, continue reaching out to more LinkedIn employees and pitching in. Modify your pitch if you are receiving very few responses. Make it more appealing and show them how you are the best fit.
Step 4 - Woohoo - Enjoy the golden badge - Pictured below
You will finally receive the coupon link from one of them. Just click on it and your premium will be activated. Enjoy your 6-months premium. Welcome to the premium club. Use it judiciously, keep sharing updates and live up to the expectations of the community. Thank the employee who sent you the coupon in a public post as a goodwill gesture. Thank those who had run out of coupons but still responded as a form of courtesy. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn if you have any queries/clarifications:
