Why LinkedIn Advertising Often Isn’t the Smartest Spend for SMEs
It’s a place for connection, growth and learning
While LinkedIn is a phenomenal platform for credibility and connection, advertising on it isn’t always the smartest move for small to medium businesses. Here’s why:
1. Cost vs Return
LinkedIn ads are notoriously expensive compared to other platforms. Average CPCs (cost per click) sit between $8–$12 in Australia, compared to $1–$3 on Facebook or Instagram. For SMEs with leaner budgets, that means your dollars simply don’t stretch as far, and the leads you generate may not always justify the spend.
2. User Mindset
People don’t come to LinkedIn to be sold to. They log in to connect, learn, and grow professionally. Hard-sell ads often get ignored, while authentic human-led content (like thought leadership posts, comments, or client stories) cuts through far more effectively.
3. Scale & Visibility
LinkedIn ads can be fantastic for large organisations with national campaigns, bigger budgets, and broad exposure goals. But for SMEs? It’s rarely a volume game. Most SMEs benefit more from direct connection, personalised outreach, meaningful content, and staff engagement, all of which cost little more than time and consistency.
4. Smarter Alternatives
Instead of pumping money into ads, we help our SME clients:
Activate their leadership team to post insights that build trust.
Encourage staff to engage with company content (which multiplies reach organically).
Use tagging and storytelling to build relationships with clients and partners.
Repurpose content across multiple platforms to hit audiences more cost-effectively.
The Ripe Idea belief: For many SMEs, LinkedIn advertising isn’t bad, it’s just not bang-for-buck. Your money works harder when invested in connection, credibility, and content
We help businesses cut through the noise with strategies built on connection, not just content.
From profile overhauls to content calendars, engagement tactics, and executive visibility coaching, we make LinkedIn work for you. Ready to step up your LinkedIn game? Let’s chat about how we can turn your human presence into your business’s biggest asset.