Unleashing the ability to connect with suitable leads and targeting decision-makers who can drive your business forward starts with having the right tools. That's where LinkedIn Sales Navigator comes in. It offers powerful sales navigator search filters that help you focus on specific profiles and companies with ease. Whether you're looking for businesses of a certain size, people with specific job titles, or those in a particular industry, these filters let you tailor your search to find exactly who you need.
This blog will guide you in using these sales navigator search filters to create targeted lead lists that align perfectly with your sales goals. By mastering these features, you'll save time, focus on leads most likely to convert and make your outreach efforts more effective. You'll learn everything you need to know to get the most out of LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ultimately boosting your sales performance.
The Keyword Filter in LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a simple but powerful tool that helps you find people based on specific words in their profiles. When using sales navigator search filters you can type that word or phrase into the keyword filter if you're looking for someone with a particular skill or job title.
Beyond basic job titles, the keyword filter's power extends to identifying individuals with specific skills, industry expertise, or even company preferences. For instance, searching for "data analytics" coupled with "healthcare" can pinpoint professionals adept at data-driven solutions within the medical field.
Moreover, the keyword filter isn't limited to exact matches. Partial keywords or synonyms can also yield relevant results, enhancing the filter's versatility and effectiveness in discovering hidden gems within LinkedIn's vast network.
For example, if you need to find marketing professionals specializing in SEO, just type "SEO" into the filter. LinkedIn will then show you profiles where "SEO" is mentioned, whether in their job title, headline, or anywhere else in their profile. This makes it easy to quickly find the right people for your business, saving you time and helping you focus on the leads that matter most.
Company filters help you focus on the businesses that matter most to your strategy. These Linkedin filters allow you to target companies based on specific criteria, such as their size, type, or location, making your search more relevant and effective.
Current Company: The Current Company filter lets you find people currently working at specific companies. This is useful if you have a list of target companies and want to connect with decision-makers within them. For example, if you're selling software to a big company like Google, you can use this filter to find people working there, making it easier to tailor your pitch to their needs.
Company Headcount: The Company Headcount filter helps you target companies based on how many employees they have. This is great if your product or service is designed for businesses of a certain size. For instance, if you offer a solution tailored for small startups, you can use this filter to find companies with fewer employees. On the other hand, if you're looking to work with large enterprises, you can focus on companies with thousands of employees.
Past Company: The Past Company filter is handy when you want to find people who used to work at specific companies. This can be useful for reconnecting with former colleagues or targeting individuals who have worked at a competitor. For example, if someone used to work at a rival company, they might have valuable experience that could benefit your business.
Company Type: The Company Type filter lets you differentiate between various types of organizations, like public companies, private companies, or non-profits. This is especially useful if your product or service is tailored to a particular type of organization. For instance, if you offer solutions specifically for non-profits, this filter allows you to focus your search on those organizations.
Company Headquarters: The Company Headquarters filter helps you target companies based on where they're located. This is particularly useful if you're looking to expand into a specific region or city. For example, if you want to grow your business in the U.S., you can use this filter to find companies headquartered in major cities like New York or San Francisco.
To know more about boosting your company’s LinkedIn presence and reaching more clients, read our blog on How to Use Company Tags on LinkedIn
Role filters are designed to help you find the right people within a company based on their specific roles and responsibilities. These sales navigator search filters allow you to search by job function, title, seniority, and more, so you can target the individuals who are most relevant to your business needs. Whether you're looking to connect with executives, managers, or specialists, role filters make it easier to identify and reach out to the right contacts.
Function: The Function filter helps you find people based on the department they work in, like marketing, finance, or engineering. For example, if you're selling a marketing tool, you'll want to connect with people in the marketing department. This filter makes it easy to target those who are most likely to be interested in what you offer by focusing on the right department.
Current Job Title: The Current Job Title filter lets you search for people by their current job title. This is particularly useful when you need to find decision-makers within a company. For example, if you want to pitch to Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs), you can use this filter to find profiles of people currently holding that title, making sure you're reaching out to the right person.
Past Job Title: The Past Job Title filter is useful when you want to find people who have experience in a specific role, even if they've moved on to a different job. For example, if you're looking to hire a marketing consultant who has a background in psychology because you believe that combination of skills is the best fit for the role, this filter allows you to find individuals who previously held roles related to psychology, even if they're now working in marketing. This way, you can identify candidates with the unique experience you're looking for, even if their current job title doesn't reflect it.
Seniority Level: The Seniority Level filter helps you find leads based on their rank within their company. This is especially useful for targeting high-level executives like CEOs, VPs, or Directors, who have the authority to make crucial decisions. For example, if you're selling enterprise software that requires approval from top leadership, this filter ensures you're connecting with the decision-makers who have the power to approve the purchase.
Years in Current Company: The Years in Current Company filter lets you find people who have been with their current company for a certain amount of time. This is helpful if you're looking for long-term employees who likely have a strong influence within the company. For example, if you're targeting seasoned professionals, you can filter for leads who have been with their company for several years.
Years in Current Position: Similar to the previous filter, the Years in Current Position filter focuses on how long someone has been in their current role. This is useful for finding individuals who have been in their position long enough to have a deep understanding of their job. For instance, if you're looking to connect with someone well-established in a management role, this filter helps you identify those who have held their position for an extended period.
Personal filters help you target leads based on individual characteristics, such as location, industry, language, and more. These sales navigator search filters allow you to refine your search and connect with people who match your specific needs and goals.
Geography: The Geography filter lets you target leads based on where they are located. This is really useful if your business operates in specific regions or if you're trying to expand into new markets. For example, if you want to grow your business in the Southeast U.S., you can use this filter to find leads in cities like Atlanta or Miami. This way, you can tailor your outreach to address the unique trends and needs of that area.
Industry: The Industry filter helps you find leads who work in a specific industry. This is essential if your business serves particular sectors and you want to connect with people who are likely to be interested in your products or services. For instance, if your company provides software solutions for the healthcare industry, you can use this filter to find leads who are currently working in healthcare, ensuring your outreach is relevant to their needs.
First name, Last name: The First Name and Last Name filters let you search for leads by their specific names. This is particularly handy to personalize your outreach or reconnect with someone you met at an event. For example, if you remember meeting John Smith at a conference, you can use these filters to find his profile and send a tailored message.
Profile language: The Profile Language filter allows you to search for leads based on the primary language of their LinkedIn profile. This is especially useful if you're reaching out to people in different regions and want to communicate in the appropriate language. For example, if you're targeting leads in France, you can use this filter to find profiles in French, ensuring your outreach resonates better with them.
Years of experience: The Years of Experience filter helps you find leads based on how long they've worked in their field. This is useful if you're looking for seasoned professionals who deeply understand their industry. For example, if you want to connect with someone with over 15 years of experience in finance, this filter makes it easy to find those leads.
Groups: The Groups filter allows you to target leads from specific LinkedIn groups. This is great for connecting with people actively engaged in professional communities related to your industry. For example, if you're in the tech industry, you can use this filter to find members of a popular tech group, making it easier to connect with like-minded professionals.
School: The School filter lets you find leads based on where they went to school. This can be useful if you want to connect with alums from a specific university or target people with certain academic qualifications. For instance, if you're looking to network with graduates from Harvard Business School, this filter allows you to find those individuals and tailor your outreach accordingly.
Buyer Intent filters are designed to help you identify and prioritize leads who are showing signs that they might be ready to make a purchase. These sales navigator search filters allow you to focus your efforts on the most promising prospects, increasing your chances of closing deals.
Account has buyer intent: The "Account has Buyer Intent" filter helps you find accounts that are actively showing signs of interest in making a purchase or investing in a solution. This is incredibly valuable because it allows you to focus on leads who are already in the buying mindset. For example, if your business offers consulting services, this filter can help you target companies that are currently seeking expert advice or strategic guidance, making your outreach more timely and effective.
Category interest: The "Category Interest" filter helps you find leads who are interested in specific types of products or services that you offer. This is really handy if your business provides different services across various areas.
For example, let's say your company offers both marketing and IT consulting services. If a lead is more interested in IT, you can use this filter to focus on them and talk specifically about your IT consulting. It makes your outreach more relevant to what they care about, which increases the chances they'll be interested in what you have to say.
Following your company: The "Following Your Company" filter lets you find leads who are already following your company's LinkedIn page. This is useful because these people likely have some interest in your brand, making them more open to your outreach. For example, if someone has been following your company for a while, they might already know about your products or services, which could make it easier to turn them into a customer.
Viewed your profile recently: The "Viewed Your Profile Recently" filter shows you leads who have recently visited your LinkedIn profile. This is a good sign that they’re interested in learning more about you. For example, if a lead has checked out your profile, it’s a great opportunity to reach out with a personalized message, since they’re already somewhat familiar with you and might be interested in what you have to offer.
Best Path In filters are designed to help you use your existing network and connections to reach new leads more effectively. These sales navigator search filters allow you to identify the best routes to connect with potential prospects through shared connections or past associations.
Connection: The Connection filter allows you to filter leads by their connection degree—first, second, or third. This means you can target leads based on how closely they are connected to you on LinkedIn. For instance, first-degree connections are people you are directly connected with, while second-degree connections are those who are connected to your first-degree contacts. This filter is helpful if you prioritize reaching out to people within your immediate network or those just a step away, making it easier to establish rapport.
Connections Of: The "Connections Of" filter lets you use the connections of specific LinkedIn members. For example, if you know a trusted colleague or industry influencer with a strong network, you can use this filter to find potential leads within their connections. This approach can increase your credibility when reaching out to these leads, as you can reference your mutual connection.
With TeamLink intro: The "With TeamLink Intro" filter is a powerful tool for finding mutual introductions through colleagues within your company. If your organization uses LinkedIn TeamLink, you can see who within your company is connected to a particular lead and request an introduction. This personal touch can significantly increase the chances of a successful connection, as it adds a layer of trust to your outreach.
Past colleague: The "Past Colleague" filter allows you to find leads who have worked with you or your colleagues in the past. This filter is beneficial for reconnecting with former coworkers who may now be in decision-making positions at other companies. You can create a more personal and effective outreach using your shared work history.
Recent Updates filters help you stay informed about changes in your leads' professional lives, making your outreach timely and relevant. These sales navigator search filters allow you to target leads who have recently changed jobs, posted on LinkedIn, or been mentioned in the news.
Changed jobs: The "Changed Jobs" filter lets you find leads who have recently moved to a new position or company. This is an excellent opportunity to reach out with congratulations and introduce your product or service, as people in new roles are often looking for ways to make an impact. For example, if a lead has just become the VP of Marketing at a company, it could be a great time to offer your marketing solutions to help them achieve quick and effective results in their new role.
Posted on linkedIn: The "Posted on LinkedIn" filter helps you identify leads who are active on LinkedIn and frequently share content. Engaging with these leads by commenting on or sharing their posts can be a subtle way to get on their radar before reaching out directly. Additionally, their activity can provide insights into their current interests and priorities, allowing you to tailor your outreach accordingly.
Mentioned in news: The "Mentioned in News" filter allows you to find leads who have recently been featured in news articles or reports. This can be a powerful way to start a conversation, as you can reference the news piece in your outreach. For example, if a lead was recently mentioned in a story about their company's expansion, you could reach out to discuss how your solutions might support their growth
Workflow filters and tools within LinkedIn Sales Navigator help you manage and streamline your prospecting process. These sales navigator search filters allow you to organize leads, track interactions, and sync with other systems for a more efficient workflow.
Persona filter: The Persona Filter lets you organize your leads into different groups based on specific buyer personas you've defined, like job roles, industries, or other traits. Think of it as sorting your leads into categories that make sense for your business. For example, if you sell software to both marketing and finance teams, you can use the Persona Filter to create separate groups for each. This way, you can tailor your outreach to address the unique needs of each group, making your communication more relevant and effective.
Account lists: The Account Lists feature allows you to create and manage lists of target companies that you want to focus on for your sales efforts. This is particularly useful for B2B businesses that aim to secure deals with larger companies. By having a list of key accounts, you can develop specific strategies to engage with multiple decision-makers within those organizations. For instance, if you’re targeting a large enterprise, you can create a list for that company and plan your outreach to connect with various stakeholders, such as the CFO, HR manager, and IT director.
Lead lists: Lead Lists help you organize and refine your searches by grouping similar leads together. This makes it easier to manage different prospecting campaigns and follow up with leads more effectively. For example, if you’re running a campaign targeting leads in the healthcare industry, you can create a Lead List for all your healthcare contacts. This way, you can track your outreach efforts, follow up when necessary, and ensure that no potential opportunities are missed.
People in CRM: The "People in CRM" feature lets you sync your leads and contacts from your CRM system with LinkedIn Sales Navigator. This integration ensures that your prospecting efforts align with your overall sales strategy and keeps your data consistent across platforms. It also simplifies tracking interactions and follow-ups, making it easier to manage your workflow. For example, if you update a lead's status in your CRM, that change will reflect in Sales Navigator, keeping everything up to date.
People you interacted with: The "People You Interacted With" filter helps you reconnect with leads you’ve previously contacted. It’s beneficial to follow up on initial conversations or reach out to leads who may have gone quiet. By focusing on leads you’ve already interacted with, you can build on the existing relationship and move them closer to becoming customers. For example, if you had a great conversation with a lead a few months ago but haven’t heard back, this filter makes it easy to find them and re-engage.
Saved leads and accounts: The "Saved Leads and Accounts" feature lets you keep track of the leads and accounts you’ve marked as crucial within LinkedIn Sales Navigator. It helps you stay organized by allowing you to filter and manage these saved contacts, set reminders for follow-ups, and ensure you’re consistently engaging with your most valuable prospects. For example, suppose you’re focusing on a handful of key accounts. In that case, you can save them in Sales Navigator, track your interactions, and ensure you follow up at the correct times to keep the relationship moving forward.
To get the most out of LinkedIn Sales Navigator, consider incorporating advanced search techniques that can further refine your prospecting efforts. These techniques help you conduct more precise searches, manage your prospecting activities efficiently, and even find contact information outside of LinkedIn.
Boolean Search allows you to apply programmatic language (using operators like AND, OR, NOT) to your searches for more precision. For example, if you’re looking for leads who are either "Marketing Managers" OR "Sales Managers" but NOT in "New York," you can structure your search query accordingly. This helps you narrow down your search results to exactly what you’re looking for, saving time and increasing accuracy.
The "Saved Searches" feature lets you save your search results and set up alerts for new matches. This ensures that you stay updated on any new leads that fit your criteria without having to repeat the same searches constantly. For instance, if you’re looking for new leads in the healthcare industry, you can save the search and receive notifications when new profiles that match your criteria appear.
Account-Based Searches are a focused way to find the right decision-makers within specific companies that you’re targeting. This approach is especially useful in B2B sales, where you often need to connect with several key people within the same organization to close a deal.
For example, if you're trying to sell a software solution to a manufacturing company, you might need to engage both the Head of Operations and the IT Manager. By using Account-Based Searches, you can specifically look for these roles within the company, ensuring that you’re reaching out to the people who have the authority and influence to make purchasing decisions. This targeted method helps streamline your efforts and improves the likelihood of securing the deal.
The "Use Blacklists" technique involves excluding past or current clients and competitors from your searches. This helps you avoid reaching out to leads who are already engaged with your business or who may not be a good fit due to competitive reasons. By refining your search in this way, you can focus your efforts on new prospects who are more likely to convert.
The "Upload CSV Files" feature in LinkedIn Sales Navigator lets you take account information from a spreadsheet (CSV file) and upload it directly into Sales Navigator. This is really useful if you already have a list of target companies or contacts stored in another system, like your CRM or an Excel sheet, and you want to use that information to find the right people on LinkedIn.
For example, if you have a CSV file with a list of companies you're targeting, you can upload that file to Sales Navigator. The tool will then help you match those companies with the right decision-makers and influencers on LinkedIn, making it easier to focus your outreach on the people who matter most within those organizations. This process streamlines your lead generation and ensures you're working with accurate and relevant data.
Evaboot is a handy tool that helps you find and verify email addresses for contacts you find on LinkedIn. This is really useful if you want to reach out to someone outside of LinkedIn, like via email, or if you need more detailed contact information. With Evaboot, you can make sure you’re getting the correct email addresses for the people you want to connect with, which makes your outreach more accurate and effective. For example, instead of just messaging someone on LinkedIn, you can use their verified email to send a more direct and personalized message.
By incorporating these advanced search techniques, you can transform your Sales Navigator experience. These techniques allow you to quickly and effectively pick the best leads, saving you a great deal of time and ultimately resulting in better prospecting outcomes. So, use these advanced techniques to enhance your search rather than just looking!
Mastering LinkedIn sales navigator search filters can greatly improve how you find and connect with leads. These powerful tools help you target the right leads, making your outreach more efficient and effective, which can boost your sales results. When you connect Sales Navigator with your CRM, it keeps everything organized and aligned with your sales goals. By applying these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to fully leverage LinkedIn Sales Navigator and achieve your business objectives.
Blaze can help you automate and optimize your LinkedIn prospecting, making it easier to connect with the right leads. Book a free demo to see how Blaze can support your sales efforts.
