TalkToTheo

Builder

Fractional CMO & Growth Consultant

uman

Head of Marketing

Marked

After a few years working as online marketeer in different industries and being active as online marketing freelancer (side business) I decided to take the leap and focus myself on my own business. 

♦ Online marketing strategy development 
♦ Optimizing and monitoring campaigns in Google AdWords
♦ Conversion optimization
♦ Performing SEO optimisations to boost online visibility. 
♦ Performing keyword researches for specific industries
♦ Visualise data in presentations & keynotes. 
♦ Analyse data from Google Analytics and formulate suggestions for optimizations. 
♦ Google Tag Manager & Google Analytics for conversion tracking & data analysis.
♦ Set up highly effective social media campaigns on LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter. 

✉ Feel free to send me a message. I love networking!

Founder & Head of Growth (exited may 2024)

Birdhouse

Birdhouse Partner - Go to Market & Growth Strategy

Freelance growth marketer

Authority BVBA

Freelance Paid Advertising Specialist

GBL Studio

GBL Studio is a full service marketing agency where online marketing takes on an increasingly important role. For many B2C & B2B customers from various industries (construction, retail, food, etc.) I do the following:

♦ Google Adwords - Search, Display & Remarketing campaigns
♦ SEO Optimisation
♦ Linkbuilding 
♦ Content Marketing
♦ Social Media Management 
♦ Social Media Advertising + Remarketing
♦ CMS Management - Drupal & Wordpress
♦ Copywriting - Website content, Ad copy, SEO Copy
♦ Conversion Optimization for websites & webshops
♦ Comprehensive analyzes and reports 
♦ Marketing Automation
♦ Wireframing
♦ Email Marketing 

Tools & Systems used: Mailchimp - Flexmail - Ahrefs - AWR - Screaming Frog - Sharpspring - MockFlow - Google Analytics - Hotjar - Adwords Editor - SeoQuake - Google Tag Manager - Google Data Studio - Drupal - Wordpress 

Clients I'm working for: Tui - Oxygen Fitness - LVD Group - CBS Beton - Sociaalste School - Benedict Huysentruyt - Westlease - Deiso - Promarket/Publibon - Alpha Works - ABC Labels - Rijschool Merelbeke - Hyboma - Semperfi-Devos - Van Den Bossche Interieur - Vandatax - Gelis - MR Group

Online Marketeer

XMarketing

Online marketing freelancer (Sidejob)

♦ Optimise and monitor campaigns in Google AdWords, and track KPIs in Google Analytics. 
♦ Perform SEO optimisations (MOZ tool) to boost online visibility. 
♦ Perform keyword research in Google Keyword Planner. 
♦ Visualise data in presentations & keynotes. 
♦ Interprete data from Google Analytics and formulate suggestions for optimisations. 
♦ Implement Google Tag Manager & Google Analytics for conversion tracking & data analysis.
♦ Set up highly effective social media campaigns on LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter.

Freelance Online Marketeer (Sidejob)

Glorious Cars

♦ Car photography
♦ Social media management
♦ Content management
♦ Google analytics analysis for optimisation
♦ Google Adwords campaigns
♦ Event organisation
♦ Partnership deals
♦ Emailmarketing
♦ Influencer marketing
♦ Website optimisation (SEO)
♦ Social Advertising

Digital Marketeer

Guiding B2B SaaS Companies to unlocking Revenue-Driven Success. Founder & Head of Growth @ Marked.

Over the past decade, I've dedicated my career to helping B2B SaaS companies focus on revenue-driven marketing operations that result in tangible growth. 

As the former founder of Marked, a respected agency in Belgium, I have worked with over 50 clients worldwide, providing sustainable growth solutions.

My mission is to empower B2B SaaS businesses by setting up revenue programs that generate consistent and sustainable growth. My approach is centered around practical strategies that drive real results. Nothing fluffy, real action.

What I Offer:
→ Coaching for CMOs & B2B Marketers: Tailored coaching to enhance skills and strategic thinking.
→ Fractional CMO Services: Providing leadership and expertise on a part-time basis to drive your growth.
→ Strategic Trajectories: Developing comprehensive plans that align with your business goals.
→ Building Revenue Systems: Crafting and implementing systems to ensure steady revenue growth.

Notable Clients:
I've had the privilege of working with leading B2B SaaS companies such as Mouseflow, Robovision, 6clicks, Sequesto, Froomle, and Accurat.

Key Achievements:
→ Assisted over 50 clients worldwide
→ Established Marked as a respected agency within Belgium
→ Advised startups through Belgian accelerators

If you're interested in learning more about how I can help your business grow, visit my personal site or subscribe to my newsletter for the latest insights and strategies.

Learn More:

Personal Site: xanmannekens.me
Newsletter: b2bmarketerscompass.com

Let's connect and explore how we can drive growth for your business together.

Xan Mannekens

Before you write your 2026 marketing plan, read this.

Another 50-page strategy deck won't help you
if your team can't execute it.

The #1 reason marketing plans fail isn't a lack of ideas.
It's a lack of connection to daily work.

If you want 2026 to be different,
you need to build the bridge between your plan and your team's priorities.

Here's the 5-step framework to make that happen:
1. Objectives: From vague goals to 3-5 key results.
2. Timeline: From annual pressure to weekly sprints.
3. Actions: From a long to-do list to 2-3 daily priorities.
4. Ownership: From group confusion to individual accountability.
5. Accountability: From monthly check-ins to a consistent daily rhythm.

Please don't start 2026 with another plan that is going to collect dust.

Start it with a system for execution.

What's your biggest goal for your marketing team in 2026?

I help early stage startups gain traction through smart marketing and GTM engineering | Fractional CMO

Content positioning & storytelling for consultants who do great work but struggle to explain it

For the longest time, I couldn’t explain what I do for a living: My day job, my consulting work - every time someone asked, I’d slip into a two-minute monologue.

Sounds familiar? 

Probably! Because doing good work isn’t the issue.
Explaining it in a way that feels real - that’s where most consultants get stuck.

Think about your own buying decisions:
You trust the person who makes you feel something and shows you why their work matters.
A clear story does that but a vague pitch doesn’t.

I learned this the hard way, and now I help consultants fix the same problem.

Here’s how I work:
- We start by looking at what you’ve done, not just what you offer
- Then we break down your method and why it works
- From there, we shape the story that actually sells
- And finally, we turn that story into a content strategy you can use every day

Results clients see:

- 40% more inbound leads after shifting to story-driven content
- Shorter sales cycles because prospects finally “get it”
- Stronger authority and trust in their space
- Warmer leads and smoother outreach, not just referrals

If you’re ready to find new clients without depending on referrals, message me and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Let’s chat 🤘

Simon Schmitz

I crossed 10,000 followers last week and completely forgot to post about it…

You're probably thinking I'm a bit of an idiot.

And you're not wrong.

The big milestone post" I had planned for Thursday never made it out of Drafts.

Why?

- Because Thanksgiving prep is time consuming.
- The in-laws arrived.
- And I didn't spend a second thinking about LinkedIn.

So the “big post” I planned for Thursday never made it out of Drafts.

But honestly, the break was great.

- No notifications.
- No DMs.
- No “quick scrolls” that turn into 20 minutes.

Coming back was a different story:

- 30 unread messages
- 80 new connection requests
- 99+ notifications

Nothing like a digital pile-up on a Monday morning :)

But one thing I did think about a lot last week is this:

- Work success is nice.
- Making good money is also very nice.
- Growth on LinkedIn is nice.

But none of it matters without the basics:

- I’m healthy.
- My loved ones are healthy.
- And I’m trying to be grateful for that every day.

The rest - the clients, the connections, the wild opportunities that came from posting here - is a bonus.

All be it a very good one.

A short break reminded me what’s worth stressing about and what’s not.

LinkedIn can wait, but real life doesn’t.

Did you guys have a good week/Thanksgiving? :)

There is one big mistake preventing you from getting the warm leads your content is supposed to bring in.

For most of coaches/consultants on here, their content isn't landing.

Is it because it's bad?

Maybe, but most likely not. 

You're being ignored because you won't stop posting about different things.

- One day it's client transformations. 
- Next day it's "hard forgettable truths." 
- Then frameworks, 
- Behind-the-scenes content, 
- Hot takes
- The list goes on...

Feels creative. But also really forgettable.

Repeat after me: "If your content doesn't repeat, your market forgets you exist.

From your audience: 
- Only 2-10% see each post. 
- Only 3% are ready to hire.

The rest need 10+ reminders before they trust you.

You want to be the consultant people think of when they're ready to invest?

Then check out the carousel below.

Start repeating yourself.

Have you noticed certain topics your audience really resonates with?

Content Architect | Turning your expertise into warm leads, fine-tuned with a dash of AI

How to warm up leads on LinkedIn

One of the best things I've ever done for my boutique agency was "dumbing down" my offer.

When I first started posting on LinkedIn, I had no idea what I was doing.

I just knew LinkedIn opened doors, and I was willing to walk through them.

As I gained more followers, my ideas became more complex. 

I tried offering post-market fit B2B companies a full LinkedIn outreach strategy. 

It sounded great on paper but was incredibly hard to explain, especially in elevator pitches.

Instead of strategizing further, I simplified my offer:

- Positioning skills into a clear, definable offer.
- Creating a brand kit and optimized LinkedIn profile.
- Providing three content pillars with post ideas.
- Pricing appropriately - not too high or low.

Then I started messaging warm leads with genuine conversations instead of waiting for inbound leads. 

No pitch slaps, just normal dialogue where their problems surfaced naturally.

Thanks to this, I'm almost at capacity for the rest of the year! 

But it's nice seeing progress finally happen, and I'm excited for more!

No alternative text description for this image

Every consultant I know stalls here.

Not when it comes to overall strategy.

But because of the identity crisis that positioning triggers.

When I started helping other consultants with their positioning & content strategy, I thought the hard part would be the tactical stuff.

You know, picking the right niche, crafting the message, all that.

But I was wrong.

The real drain isn't figuring out what to say.

It's dealing with what comes up when you try to say it:

- Narrowing your offer feels like saying no to money
- Choosing a target audience makes you question your skills
- Rewriting your bio forces you to confront what you actually do
- Simplifying your message shows how many things you've been hiding behind
- Posting with a clear voice feels risky because now people can disagree with you
- Selling becomes easier… but only after the uncomfortable part of admitting what you really want to be known for

I've watched brilliant consultants spend weeks agonizing over a single LinkedIn headline.

Not because they don't know their stuff.

But because putting a stake in the ground means owning it.

And owning it means people might not like it.

Building offer clarity is exhausting when you're used to doing everything for everyone.

But here's what I've learned: the discomfort is temporary.

The clarity lasts.

Have you struggled with this? And if so, how did you solve it?

Let's cut straight to the chase: If your writing is unclear, your lead pipeline will dry up faster than Netflix cancels a good show.

Most consultants don’t realize this until it's too late.

And trust me, I experienced it myself when I started pumping out content on here. 

Unfortunately, this confusion shows up everywhere: your posts, your calls, your offers.

That's why I’m planning a community to help consultants and solopreneurs to use content that naturally attracts new clients who actually need their help.

If you want the details when it opens, add your name here: https://lnkd.in/eg7KHwEj

1. Catch the moment
There is always a small spark worth sharing. A comment from a client. A hesitation. A quiet surprise. Those simple moments build more trust than polished advice.

2. Explain why it matters
Each moment points to something real about how you think. When you name it plainly, people understand you faster.

3. Focus on one person
Write to the client who is stuck where you were last week. The message sharpens immediately.

If you avoid this work, the consequences stack up:
- Your message stays unclear.
- Your pipeline stays quiet.
- Warm leads turn cold

Inside the community, we’ll dig into these moments every week and turn them into content that actually connects. 

Not trends but something people remember.

6 habits that helped me build a thriving LinkedIn audience - without sacrificing my busy full-time job.

Most people think you need to quit your job to build a personal brand.

I'm living proof that's BS.

I didn't go to university for 6 years to write posts on Linkedin. 

I run my little boutique agency Lemoncore while working full-time at a demanding job that involves:

- Managing multiple clients daily.
- Translating complex municipal codes into SaaS architecture.
- Leading meetings back-to-back.
- Spearheading change management for major US cities.

And somehow I've built 10,000(-13) followers on LinkedIn.

The secret? I don't just wing it.

But I rely on a very specific system:

- Content calendar so I never stare at a blank screen
- Set strict time limits for Linkedin
- Make writing feel fun, not like another chore
- Repurpose posts that actually worked
- Plan everything one week ahead
- Show up same time every day

The one tool that keeps me sane through all this?

Magicpost.in

No fancy bells and whistles.
Just a few features that actually work really.

Their post generator is basically my editor-in-chief.

It turns my random thoughts into posts that don't suck.

So to sum it up: 

You don't need to be quit your job to build authority.

You just need a system that keeps you above water.

What's the one tool you couldnt live without when it comes to creating linkedin content? 

Slap it in the comments below 👇

Ever had a brilliant content idea slip away while you were in the shower or listening to your father in-law?

I used to lose my best content ideas faster than I could write them down.

- In the shower
- On a call
- While driving
- Two minutes before I'm supposed to do something else.
- Right before bed when my phone's across the room? Of course.

I tried voice memos, random notes apps, even scribbling on napkins.

Nothing worked.

Because my problem wasn't capturing ideas - it was organizing them in a way that actually helped me post consistently.

That's when I realized I needed a reliable content calendar.

I needed something that could:

- Catch ideas the moment they hit
- Let me plan weeks ahead without losing track
- Turn those random thoughts into actual posts
- Schedule everything for when my audience is most active

Luckily for me (and for you) MagicPost.in just released a content calendar that has everything you need but nothing more. 

It's ridiculously easy to use - no bloated features, just a straightforward tool that actually works.

For a detailed breakdown, check out the carousel below. 

Now when inspiration strikes randomly, I know exactly where it goes.

And I now use those ideas instead of forgetting about them.

Want to try it yourself?

Use my code 'SIMONBF10' to get 70% OFF the yearly plan and 40% OFF the monthly plan FOR LIFE on MagicPost.in

The ultimate content calendar

This might be my favorite December discovery so far.

You can now deliver a personalized video from Santa himself.
In 140+ languages.
For free.

Powered by Synthesia.

In mine, Santa politely wished everyone a merry Christmas…
except the creators using AI comments :)

And yes – it looks real enough that my brain needed a moment.

Just type your script → pick your Santa → hit “Generate.”

If you want a holiday flex that doesn’t involve mailing a single card…
this is it.

Try it here ➜ https://lnkd.in/gnztXu_T

#MadeWithSynthesia

If you don’t show your expertise online, a louder, less qualified consultant will win your clients.

Most business consultants don’t struggle with LinkedIn content because they lack ideas.

They struggle because the insights that land clients in a call fall apart the moment they try to write them.

And here’s what it costs you: 

If your expertise isn’t visible, the clients who need you will hire someone else.

That was my gap too.

I could explain a concept perfectly to a client…

…but somehow the LinkedIn version came out flat or nothing like what I meant.

So yes, this is a sponsored post.

But MagicPost.in solved the part every consultant quietly hates:

Transforming expertise into clear writing without burning another hour.

Here are the three things that make it a no-brainer for me:

1. It learns my actual voice by analyzing my past posts.
2. I talk my post into the app using Wispr Flow. MagicPost.in cleans it up for me.
3. Goodbye bad hooks: I refresh until I get a good opening line.

The result?

I finally publish the ideas I used to lose.

Because the reality is simple:

If your expertise stays stuck in conversations, your leads dry up eventually.

Try it here: https://app.magicpost.in/

And the best part, if you use my code "SIMONS20", you will get 20% off FOREVER :)

(First 3 posts are on the house.)

taplio

The Battle

Xan Mannekens

Simon Schmitz

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreXan Mannekens's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreSimon Schmitz's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Xan Mannekens

Simon Schmitz

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Xan Mannekens's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreSimon Schmitz's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreXan Mannekens's LinkedIn Performance