The Booking Agency vs LinkedIn Jobs
TBA vs LinkedIn Jobs: creative talent discovery vs professional networking jobs
| The Booking Agency | LinkedIn Jobs | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free browsing, subscription talent profiles | Free basic, LinkedIn Recruiter from $825/mo, job slot pricing |
| Talent type | Freelancers, creatives, event professionals | Professionals seeking employment (full-time focus) |
| Creative categories | Photography, DJ, events, film, makeup, and 42 industries | Weak - creative freelancers rarely use LinkedIn for gigs |
| Location discovery | 340K+ cities, local + travel talent | Location filter on job postings, not talent city context |
| Contact model | Free - contact talent from their profile | InMail credits required for non-connections |
Where TBA wins
- +Creative, event, and lifestyle professionals in 160+ countries
- +City-level discovery with travel context
- +No algorithm gatekeeping - profiles are publicly searchable
- +No InMail credits needed to contact talent
- +Built for the gig economy and project-based work
Where LinkedIn Jobs wins
- +Professional network and credibility signals
- +Recruiter access for senior roles
- +Deep B2B context (company history, endorsements)
- +InMail for reaching passive candidates
Use case breakdown
Hiring a VP of Marketing
LinkedIn is the standard for senior professional roles.
Competitor wins
Finding a product photographer in Singapore
TBA has local Singapore photographers with portfolio and rates. LinkedIn has none.
TBA wins
Model
Job board (free tier limited, premium job slots for employers)
Geographic reach
Global, dominant in US, Europe, India
Best for
Corporate and mid-market hiring, executive search
Not ideal for
Freelance creatives, event talent, city-specific in-person bookings
Switching from LinkedIn Jobs?
TBA profiles complement LinkedIn - link your TBA profile from your LinkedIn bio to direct client inquiries to your full portfolio and availability calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Why use TBA over LinkedIn to hire a creative professional?
Creative freelancers - photographers, DJs, videographers, makeup artists - rarely post availability on LinkedIn. On TBA, they maintain active profiles with portfolio, city, travel mode, and rates. Discovery is built for this exact use case.
Ready to try The Booking Agency?
Browse talent across 160+ countries. Post a job free. No transaction fees.