The Ultimate B2B Guide to Linkedin Sales Navigator

Prospecting on regular LinkedIn is like knocking on random doors.

Linkedin Sales Navigator tells you exactly which ones are open—and who’s ready to buy.

It’s not a premium upgrade. It’s a revenue tool.

Used right, it saves hours, sharpens targeting, and boosts reply rates.

If you're doing LinkedIn lead generation without it, you're leaving money on the table.

What Is LinkedIn Sales Navigator?

Sales Navigator is LinkedIn’s prospecting engine. Built for B2B sales teams, solopreneurs, and outbound agencies, it gives you filters, alerts, and CRM syncs that the free version doesn’t.

It doesn’t just show you profiles. It shows you buying signals.

You can:

→ Filter by job title, industry, seniority, headcount, tools used

→ Save leads, track job changes, monitor news mentions

→ Send InMails to people outside your network

→ Sync all this data with your CRM in real time

And most importantly—engage prospects when it matters.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator Main Features (2025)

💡 Sales Navigator users generate 42% larger deals and 17% more pipeline.

How Much Is LinkedIn Sales Navigator?

Sales Navigator offers three plans. Pricing varies by region and billing cycle.

💡 folk CRM integrates seamlessly with Sales Navigator via Chrome Extension or Zapier. You capture leads directly from LinkedIn, organize them, and trigger workflows—without the Salesforce price tag.

👉 Try folk CRM for free

How to Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator - Step-by-Step

Most users barely scratch the surface. Here’s how top-performing teams actually use Sales Navigator to generate pipeline and close.

1. Start with Advanced Search

The basic LinkedIn search is limited.

Sales Navigator gives you full access to 30+ filters:

✔️ Job title & seniority

✔️ Company size & revenue

✔️ Industry & function

✔️ Geography

✔️ Technologies used

✔️ Years in current role

✔️ Posted on LinkedIn in last 30 days

And many more to target the perfect profiles for your strategy.

2. Save Leads & Accounts

Don’t just reach out. Track.

• Save individual leads
• Save entire companies
• Organize by deal stage, campaign, or vertical
• Set alerts for job changes, news mentions, posts

This lets you time your outreach perfectly and tailor your message to the context.

3. Personalize with Context

Sales Navigator doesn’t just show people. It shows signals.

You can see:

• Mutual connections
• Recent activity
• Shared groups
• Company growth and hiring

Use this to break the ice and write messages that actually land.

4. Capture Leads with folk CRM

Here’s where most users drop the ball:

They find leads… but don’t organize them.

With folk CRM, you can:

• Save leads directly from LinkedIn with the Chrome extension
• Auto-tag by filters (e.g. “CFO - SaaS - US”)
• Add them to custom pipelines
• Trigger outreach sequences via Zapier or Make
• Track touchpoints and next steps across your funnel

Result: You spend less time copying-pasting and more time closing.

5. Build Sequences Around Buying Signals

Use alerts as your trigger:

• Job change → congrats message + soft pitch
• Company fundraising → offer solution to scale
• New hire → pitch your onboarding product
• Published post → like/comment, then DM with context

Sales Navigator gives the signal.

folk helps you act on it—instantly, and at scale.

LinkedIn Premium vs Sales Navigator: What’s the Difference?

They’re not the same tool.

→ LinkedIn Premium is made for job seekers.

→ Sales Navigator is made for closers.

💡 Most B2B founders and salespeople start with Premium and upgrade fast. The moment you're booking calls, you’ll need Sales Navigator—especially when paired with folk, which helps you manage every contact and move them down the funnel.

How to Cancel LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Full Process & Precautions

Canceling Sales Navigator isn’t complex. But doing it wrong can cost you leads, data, or even deal momentum.

Before You Cancel: What You’ll Lose

Sales Navigator isn’t just a monthly charge. It’s a sales asset.

Once canceled:

❌ You lose access to all saved leads, accounts, tags, and notes

❌ Alerts and job change notifications stop instantly

❌ Shared lists with your team are no longer accessible

❌ Your Smart Link analytics are wiped

If you’re mid-pipeline with key prospects, canceling could break continuity.

Export what matters. Tag and document your leads before pulling the plug.

💡 Tip: Save your leads to a CRM like folk before canceling. You’ll preserve your segmentation, outreach status, and notes—without starting from scratch later.

Cancellation Process - Desktop Only

You can’t cancel from the LinkedIn mobile app. Use a desktop browser and follow this sequence:

1. Log into LinkedIn
2. Access Sales Navigator via the dropdown in the top navigation bar
3. Click your profile icon (top-right corner)
4. Select “Settings”
5. In the Account section, click “Cancel Subscription”
6. Confirm your decision through the cancellation flow

Once done, you’ll retain access until your billing period ends. No refund is issued if you cancel mid-cycle.

What Happens After Cancellation?

→ Your Sales Navigator seat is deactivated

→ Your data is archived, but not accessible unless you resubscribe

→ You return to the free version of LinkedIn—without advanced filters, alerts, or CRM sync

If you're in an outbound phase or building pipeline, cancellation can set you back.

Many teams downgrade too early and end up reactivating within weeks.

Reddit & LinkedIn Sales Navigator: What Real Users Are Saying

If you want honest feedback, skip the LinkedIn webinars. Go on Reddit. That’s where sales reps, founders, and growth leads talk numbers, not marketing.

Where to Look?

Use Reddit search or these direct channels.

Search terms that return gold:

• “sales navigator worth it”
• “sales navigator tips”
• “how I use sales navigator”
• “sales navigator vs premium reddit”
• “linkedin automation stack”

How to Export Leads from LinkedIn Sales Navigator to CRM

Building a list in Sales Navigator is step one. But if you’re not exporting those leads into a CRM, you’re not really selling—you're just bookmarking.

Step 1: Filter & Save Qualified Leads

→Use advanced filters

→ Save your list into a Lead List inside Sales Navigator.

Step 2: Capture Leads into Your CRM

If you're using a modern CRM like folk, you can capture leads directly from LinkedIn with its Chrome extension.

Process:

1. View a lead profile
2. Click the extension
3. Contact is added to your CRM
4. Assign tags, notes, pipeline stage on the fly

It takes 5 seconds per lead—and you avoid the spreadsheet graveyard! 💥

👉 Try folk CRM for free

Step 3: Segment, Track, and Engage

Once your leads are inside your CRM:

→ Add labels by campaign, segment, deal size

→ Trigger sequences via Zapier or Make

→ Log LinkedIn touchpoints and reminders

→ Collaborate with your team or work solo with full visibility

That’s how you go from “searched” to “engaged”.

Conclusion

Sales Navigator isn’t a lead gen tool. It’s a signal engine.

Used well, it helps you identify the right people, at the right time, with the right message.

But it’s not magic.

You need clear targeting. Strong messaging. And a CRM that lets you act fast.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start closing, make Sales Navigator part of a structured workflow—backed by a CRM like folk CRM that keeps your pipeline moving.

F.A.Q.: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cancel Sales Navigator in LinkedIn?

Go to Sales Navigator → Settings → Account → Cancel Subscription.

Note: Cancellation is only possible via desktop. You’ll lose access at the end of your billing cycle.

Can I export LinkedIn Sales Navigator leads to Excel?

• Not directly. LinkedIn doesn’t allow native exports to Excel or CSV. To work leads outside the platform, use a CRM integration (like folk, HubSpot, etc.) or a tool like PhantomBuster.

What’s the difference between Sales Navigator and LinkedIn Premium?

• Sales Navigator is designed for outbound sales. Premium is more suited to job seekers and casual networking. Navigator gives you advanced search filters, lead alerts, Smart Links, and CRM syncs—Premium doesn’t.

Is Sales Navigator worth it for solo founders?

• If you rely on outbound and need to build pipeline yourself: yes. Just make sure you have a CRM or structured follow-up system. Otherwise, you’ll waste leads.

How can I find buying signals in Sales Navigator?

Track these:

• Job change alerts
• Recent LinkedIn activity
• Company funding rounds
• Hiring spikes
• Content posts relevant to your offer

Then act fast—with a tailored message and a clear CTA.