LinkedIn Learning is a cost-effective platform for sales professionals to develop skills like negotiation, CRM analytics, and social selling through structured courses ($29.99/month). It offers measurable benefits, such as a 695% ROI over three years and a 30% improvement in core sales KPIs for companies using it. Certificates add credibility to your LinkedIn profile but focus more on theory.
Closely, starting at $49/month, provides AI-driven tools for LinkedIn and email outreach, enabling users to apply strategies immediately. It focuses on action, offering features like personalized messaging, lead scoring, and data enrichment.
Key Takeaway: LinkedIn Learning builds knowledge, while Closely emphasizes practical application. Beginners can start with LinkedIn Learning, while experienced sales professionals may benefit from Closely’s tools. Combining both platforms can bridge the gap between learning and execution.
Linkedin Learning Review 2025 – Is LinkedIn Learning Worth it?
1. LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning provides structured courses that cover everything from basic sales techniques to advanced digital strategies, making it a go-to platform for sales professionals looking to sharpen their skills.
Sales Skill Development
The platform’s sales curriculum focuses on essential skills for today’s sales environment. Topics include prospecting, lead generation, negotiation tactics, customer relationship management, and virtual selling. Each course combines video lessons, exercises, and downloadable resources, ensuring learners can immediately apply what they’ve learned.
One notable example of LinkedIn Learning’s impact comes from a financial services company in the Asia/Pacific region. Their chief people officer shared in January 2024:
We’ve improved our core sales KPIs by over 30% since beginning to use LinkedIn Learning.[2]
The courses also emphasize building virtual rapport, mastering digital sales processes, and using data to enhance prospecting efforts. Additionally, the platform teaches social selling techniques, leveraging LinkedIn’s own tools for prospecting and relationship building. This includes optimizing profiles and using advanced search features to identify key decision-makers.
These foundational skills set the stage for the platform’s more advanced, AI-powered learning features.
AI Integration and Tools
LinkedIn Learning incorporates AI tools that enhance the user experience. These tools transform user prompts into precise searches, offer tailored advice, and recommend courses that align with individual learning goals.[1]
The platform’s ability to deliver measurable financial benefits further highlights its value.
Cost and ROI
LinkedIn Learning has demonstrated a 695% ROI over three years, returning nearly $8 for every dollar spent. Companies typically break even in under six months. Businesses using the platform reported a 1% increase in annual net revenue and a 3% boost in workforce productivity.[2]
For instance, MJH Life Sciences, a healthcare publishing company, saw a 33% rise in employee learning hours between 2022 and 2023. Active users on the platform were three times more likely to move into new roles or receive promotions. Samantha Stazko, Training Manager at MJH Life Sciences, remarked:
We’ve already seen value in our learning investment.[2]
For individual sales professionals, LinkedIn Learning is a cost-effective way to develop skills that can directly impact their earning potential and career growth.
2. Closely
While LinkedIn Learning emphasizes structured courses to build skills, Closely takes a more action-oriented approach. It provides practical, real-time tools for LinkedIn and email outreach, bridging the gap between learning and doing.
Closely doesn’t just teach concepts – it helps sales professionals put them into practice immediately.
Sales Skill Development
Closely is all about turning theory into action. Sales professionals can test out different messaging styles and connection strategies while honing their personal brand on LinkedIn. The platform’s AI-powered personalization tools transform generic outreach into meaningful, targeted conversations. On top of that, the unified inbox streamlines communication by managing LinkedIn messages and emails in one place, making follow-ups more efficient.
AI Integration and Tools
Closely leverages AI to simplify and enhance the sales process. Its Sales AI agents analyze prospect data to suggest personalized messages tailored to individual profiles. The data enrichment feature automatically gathers verified contact details, saving users from the hassle of manual research. Plus, the AI-driven lead scoring system helps prioritize prospects effectively, while integrated web research offers valuable insights for more informed, consultative sales conversations.
Cost and ROI
Closely offers flexible pricing to suit both individual sales professionals and growing teams.
- Starter Plan: $49/month. Includes one LinkedIn account, unlimited email accounts, and 1,000 monthly credits. These credits can be used for 250 emails, 50 phone lookups, or 500 AI personalizations.
- Growth Plan: $127/month. Expands to three LinkedIn accounts and 3,000 monthly credits, supporting 750 emails, 150 phone lookups, or 1,500 AI personalizations.
- Essential Plan: $205/month. Designed for larger teams, it includes five LinkedIn accounts and 5,000 monthly credits.
All plans feature white-label options, ensuring outreach campaigns maintain a professional and polished brand image.
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Pros and Cons
LinkedIn Learning and Closely cater to sales professionals in distinct ways – LinkedIn Learning focuses on building a solid knowledge base through structured courses, while Closely provides hands-on tools for immediate outreach. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you understand their strengths and limitations, making it easier to decide which platform suits your needs.
| Criteria | LinkedIn Learning | Closely |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Skill Development | Pros: Offers a range of courses with AI-powered coaching, personalized learning paths, and evaluations to improve negotiation and communication skills. Cons: Primarily theory-driven, with limited opportunities for practical application. |
Pros: Facilitates real-world practice through live outreach campaigns and feedback based on actual interactions. Cons: Lacks a structured learning path and assumes users have basic sales knowledge. |
| AI Integration | Pros: Introduces AI concepts and tools, including ChatGPT integration (rated 4.7/5 by 755 reviews), automation workflows, and CRM basics. Cons: Focuses on education without offering hands-on AI tools for live sales tasks. |
Pros: Includes built-in AI agents for tasks like message personalization, lead scoring, and data enrichment. Cons: AI tools are specific to the platform and do not offer broader educational content on AI. |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Pros: Affordable at $29.99/month, with professional certificates that enhance your LinkedIn profile. Backed by Microsoft, adding credibility. Cons: Requires ongoing subscription for access and does not directly generate revenue. |
Pros: Potential for immediate ROI through improved outreach efficiency and white-label branding options. Cons: Higher starting cost ($49/month) and uses a credit-based model. |
| Learning Format | Pros: Self-paced, mobile-friendly, and designed for busy schedules with flexible learning options. Cons: Relies on passive learning, requiring self-discipline to complete courses. |
Pros: Encourages a hands-on, learn-by-doing approach with immediate strategy application. Cons: Has a steeper learning curve and demands active campaign management. |
| Professional Recognition | Pros: Provides certificates that can be showcased on LinkedIn profiles, along with skill evaluations to validate expertise. Cons: Certificates may not fully represent practical skills or directly impact sales outcomes. |
Pros: Delivers measurable data on campaign performance, showcasing real-world sales results. Cons: Does not offer formal certifications or educational credentials. |
This comparison underscores how each platform caters to different phases of a sales professional’s journey.
LinkedIn Learning is ideal for those looking to build foundational skills or gain a structured introduction to AI in sales. On the other hand, Closely is tailored for experienced professionals who are ready to apply advanced strategies in real time.
For many, combining LinkedIn Learning’s strategic insights with Closely’s actionable tools creates a powerful synergy. This approach bridges the gap between learning and execution, ensuring steady growth and tangible results in a competitive sales environment.
Final Verdict
LinkedIn Learning offers a solid starting point for sales professionals, providing structured courses and essential knowledge to build a strong foundation. On the other hand, tools like Closely focus on turning that knowledge into action, helping sales teams apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios.
The numbers speak for themselves: companies using LinkedIn Learning have seen over a 30% improvement in core sales KPIs and achieved a 695% ROI over three years – that’s nearly $8 earned for every dollar spent. Even better, these organizations broke even in under six months [2].
While LinkedIn Learning is excellent for gaining a deep understanding of sales strategies, some professionals – especially those in fast-paced, competitive environments – may need tools like Closely to immediately put their knowledge into practice. For beginners, LinkedIn Learning provides the strategic groundwork through its well-structured courses and professional certificates, which not only build expertise but also boost credibility. Meanwhile, seasoned professionals can benefit from Closely’s focus on execution, using its tools to enhance outreach efficiency and deliver measurable results.
The best approach? Start with LinkedIn Learning to establish your strategic foundation, then use Closely to bring those strategies to life. Together, these platforms create a seamless transition from learning to action, ensuring both knowledge and measurable outcomes.
Additionally, LinkedIn Learning’s programs have delivered 57% cost savings compared to relying on multiple training sources. This highlights the value of pairing skill development with practical tools to achieve long-term success [2].
FAQs
How can LinkedIn Learning help sales professionals improve key performance metrics and boost ROI?
LinkedIn Learning provides specialized courses designed to sharpen essential skills for sales professionals, including effective communication, AI-powered sales strategies, and LinkedIn-specific outreach methods. Mastering these areas often translates into tangible improvements in key performance indicators (KPIs) like lead conversion rates, sales efficiency, and customer acquisition.
Companies that embrace LinkedIn Learning frequently experience stronger annual revenue growth and enhanced team productivity. Beyond that, the platform helps cut down on hiring and training expenses by equipping employees with the knowledge and tools they need to excel. Over time, this can lead to a noteworthy return on investment (ROI).
How can LinkedIn Learning and tools like Closely benefit sales professionals?
Combining LinkedIn Learning with practical tools like Closely can make a huge difference for sales professionals looking to up their game. LinkedIn Learning offers a range of courses designed to build key skills like relationship management, AI-powered sales techniques, and LinkedIn outreach strategies. On the other hand, Closely provides tools to streamline outreach efforts and automate connection-building, saving you time while increasing productivity.
When you use LinkedIn Learning to refine your skills and Closely to put those strategies into action, you’re setting yourself up for a more efficient and results-oriented sales process. Together, they create a powerful duo for boosting sales performance and taking your career to the next level.
Who can benefit most from LinkedIn Learning, and how does it compare to Closely’s tools for sales professionals?
Sales professionals looking to sharpen their expertise in sales techniques, AI-powered sales automation, and LinkedIn-focused outreach strategies will find LinkedIn Learning to be a valuable resource. Its courses are structured to build practical skills that can have a direct impact on sales outcomes.
On the other hand, if you’re searching for tools to simplify outreach, organize leads efficiently, and connect with prospects on LinkedIn at scale, Closely offers a more action-oriented approach tailored to these tasks. Depending on your career goals and current needs, these two options can work well together to boost your sales efforts.