Discount Strategies for Sales Navigator: How to Save Money as a Founder
Jun 13, 2025
You've just started scaling your B2B startup and know you need to build a solid sales pipeline. Everyone keeps telling you "Sales Navigator is a must" for prospecting, but at $99/month per user, it feels like another expense you can't justify right now. As you browse pricing plans, you wonder if there are any discounts available that other founders have discovered.
This exact scenario plays out daily for bootstrapped founders and early-stage startups trying to balance growth with runway conservation. The good news? There are several legitimate ways to access LinkedIn's premium sales tool without paying full price.
Understanding Sales Navigator's Value Proposition
Before diving into discount strategies, it's important to understand what you're actually paying for. Sales Navigator is LinkedIn's premier prospecting tool that offers:
Advanced search filters (company size, seniority, etc.)
Lead and account recommendations
Real-time insights on prospects and companies
InMail credits for direct outreach
Unlimited profile viewing
Notes and tags for lead management
CRM integration capabilities
For founders focused on B2B sales, these features can significantly enhance your prospecting efficiency. However, many users experience confusion about certain limitations.
"Do you need a secondary service to get their contact info (beyond just their LinkedIn)? I saw your video had some email and phone icons in the contact lists, but SalesNav says they don't provide that...?" asks one founder in a Reddit discussion.
This highlights an important limitation: Sales Navigator doesn't automatically provide email addresses and phone numbers. You'll typically need additional tools for what's known as "waterfall enrichment" to gather complete contact information.
Now let's explore how to get this powerful tool at a fraction of the cost.
Top 6 Discount Strategies for Sales Navigator
1. Microsoft for Founders Program (75% OFF)
The most substantial discount currently available comes through the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. Eligible founders can access a remarkable 75% discount on Sales Navigator subscriptions for four months.
"Sales Navigator offers free trials (1 month, up to 2), and if you're eligible for the 'microsoft for founders' program, you can get Sales Navigator at a 75% discount for 4 months," shares a founder in the aforementioned Reddit thread.
To qualify:
Sign up for Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub
Complete the verification process
Navigate to the benefits section to claim your LinkedIn offer
This discount brings the Professional plan down from $99/month to approximately $25/month for the first four months—a significant saving for early-stage startups.
2. Free Trial Maximization (100% OFF temporarily)
LinkedIn typically offers a 30-day free trial for new Sales Navigator users. However, savvy founders have discovered ways to extend this:
Use the initial 30-day free trial with your primary business email
Some users report receiving a second free trial offer after the first expires
Evaluate thoroughly during this period to determine the actual ROI for your business
During your trial, focus on testing your prospecting workflows and determining if the features justify the cost post-trial.
3. Annual Subscription Discount (20% OFF)
By simply switching from monthly to annual billing, you can save approximately 20% on your total subscription cost.
For example:
Sales Navigator Professional: $99/month ($1,188/year) on monthly billing
Same plan: $79.99/month ($959.88/year) on annual billing
Annual savings: $228.12
While this requires a larger upfront investment, it delivers substantial savings for founders planning to use the platform long-term.
4. Team Pricing and Volume Discounts (10-20% OFF)
If you have multiple team members needing access, consider the Team or Enterprise plans. LinkedIn offers volume discounts when purchasing multiple licenses, typically ranging from 10-20% depending on the number of seats.
Contact LinkedIn's sales team directly to negotiate these rates—especially if you're purchasing 5+ licenses. As one sales professional notes in a discussion about SaaS discounts: "In an enterprise environment, you'll have to discount to get through most procurement departments."
5. Limited-Time Promotional Offers (Variable Discounts)
LinkedIn periodically runs special promotions, particularly around:
End of fiscal quarters (March, June, September, December)
Major business events and conferences
Back-to-business seasons (January and September)
Keep an eye on your email for personalized offers, as LinkedIn often targets users who have previously shown interest in their premium products.
6. Seasonal or Event-Based Discounts (10-40% OFF)
LinkedIn occasionally offers substantial discounts during major shopping events:
Black Friday/Cyber Monday
End-of-year sales
Special LinkedIn events or anniversaries
These limited-time offers can provide discounts ranging from 10-40% off standard pricing, though they're not consistently available.
Maximizing ROI with Your Discounted Sales Navigator
Getting a discount is only the first step. To truly justify the investment, you need to integrate Sales Navigator effectively into your prospecting workflow.
Understand What Sales Navigator Can and Cannot Do
Many founders experience disappointment after purchasing because they misunderstand the tool's limitations:
Contact Information: Sales Navigator doesn't automatically provide emails or phone numbers. "Do you need a secondary service to get their contact info (beyond just their LinkedIn)?" is a common question from new users.
Automation Capabilities: The platform has strict usage limits to prevent scraping. As one founder notes: "If you're doing everything manually or if you're already using tools to automate the next steps," your approach will differ significantly.
Cold Leads: Sales Navigator helps identify prospects, but converting them still requires effective outreach strategies.
Complementary Tools to Enhance Value
To maximize your discounted Sales Navigator subscription, consider these complementary tools:
Contact Enrichment Services: Tools like Hunter.io, Lusha, or Apollo.io can supplement Sales Navigator by providing email addresses and phone numbers.
CRM Integration: Connect Sales Navigator to your CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.) to maintain a single source of truth for prospect data.
Outreach Automation: Platforms like Outreach.io or Reply.io can help scale your communication with prospects identified through Sales Navigator.
Strategic Discount Negotiations for Founders
Beyond the standard discounts, founders can employ several negotiation strategies when dealing directly with LinkedIn sales representatives:
1. Create Urgency with Budget Timing
"My argument is that discounts work by creating a sense of urgency and that helps me close during our non-busy seasons," shares a sales professional discussing discount strategies. You can use the same approach with LinkedIn:
Mention that you have budget allocated now, but it expires soon
Indicate you're evaluating multiple platforms and price is a deciding factor
Set a clear decision timeline to encourage special offers
2. Request Additional Value Instead of Direct Discounts
Sometimes asking for added value rather than price cuts yields better results:
Request additional InMail credits
Ask for extended trial periods
Inquire about training or onboarding support
Seek access to premium features normally reserved for higher tiers
3. Leverage Competitor Offers
LinkedIn operates in a competitive market with alternatives like:
ZoomInfo
Lusha
Apollo.io
Hunter.io
Mentioning competitive offers you're considering can sometimes prompt better terms.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When seeking discounts for Sales Navigator, avoid these pitfalls:
Purchasing from Unauthorized Resellers: Some third-party websites and individuals on platforms like Fiverr offer heavily discounted Sales Navigator accounts. These violate LinkedIn's terms of service and can result in account termination.
Creating Multiple Accounts: Creating numerous accounts to continuously access free trials violates LinkedIn's policies and risks restrictions on your primary profile.
Neglecting True ROI Calculation: The cheapest option isn't always the best value. Calculate how many quality leads and conversions you need to justify even the discounted price.
Conclusion
For founders balancing growth ambitions with budget constraints, these discount strategies can make Sales Navigator significantly more accessible. The Microsoft for Founders program offering 75% off for four months represents the most substantial savings, while annual billing provides a reliable 20% discount for long-term users.
Remember that Sales Navigator is ultimately a prospecting tool—its value comes from how effectively you integrate it into your sales process and complement it with other tools for complete contact information and follow-up automation.
By implementing these discount strategies while understanding the platform's capabilities and limitations, you can maximize your ROI while keeping your customer acquisition costs manageable—a crucial balance for every founder focused on sustainable growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the biggest discount available for LinkedIn Sales Navigator for startups?
The biggest discount is 75% off for four months through the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. This program makes Sales Navigator significantly more affordable for early-stage B2B startups looking to enhance their prospecting efforts without paying the full price.
How can I try LinkedIn Sales Navigator for free?
You can try LinkedIn Sales Navigator for free by utilizing their standard 30-day free trial for new users. Some founders have reported being offered a second free trial period after the first one expires, providing an extended opportunity to evaluate the platform's value for their business.
Is paying annually for Sales Navigator cheaper than monthly?
Yes, paying annually for Sales Navigator is typically about 20% cheaper than paying on a monthly basis. Opting for an annual subscription can lead to significant savings over the year, making it a cost-effective choice if you plan to use the tool long-term.
Does LinkedIn Sales Navigator provide email addresses and phone numbers for prospects?
No, LinkedIn Sales Navigator does not directly provide email addresses or phone numbers for your prospects. While it's powerful for identifying and filtering potential leads, you will generally need to use additional "waterfall enrichment" tools or services to find specific contact details like emails and phone numbers.
What are the risks of buying cheap Sales Navigator accounts from unofficial sources?
Buying cheap Sales Navigator accounts from unauthorized resellers or third-party websites carries significant risks. These actions often violate LinkedIn's terms of service and can lead to your account being terminated, and you might lose access to any data or work done on the platform.
How do I make the most of Sales Navigator if I get a discount?
To make the most of a discounted Sales Navigator subscription, integrate it effectively into your sales workflow. Understand its capabilities and limitations, such as the need for external tools for contact information. Consider using complementary tools for contact enrichment, CRM integration, and outreach automation to maximize your return on investment.
Have you found other effective ways to save on LinkedIn Sales Navigator? What has been your experience with the Microsoft for Founders discount? Share your insights and experiences in the comments below!
