VezaTalks 029: Stefan Smulders

Let's Meet Stefan

Stefan Smulders is a highly regarded entrepreneur and digital marketing expert who has made a name for himself through his groundbreaking work in harnessing the power of LinkedIn for business growth.

As the mastermind behind Expandi.io, a cutting-edge software platform in the realm of social media marketing, Stefan has completely transformed the way professionals and businesses engage in LinkedIn outreach.

“It took me a lot of effort and even more mistakes and lessons learned to get where I am today” -Stefan

Through his innovative strategies and the development of Expandi.io, he has successfully revolutionized the way professionals and businesses leverage LinkedIn for networking, lead generation, and brand expansion.

Early Ventures

Stefan wholeheartedly shared his story starting with his early efforts, mistakes, and valuable lessons. 

After an initial setback involving burning through 500K in VC money, he redirected his focus to improving website conversions. 

This quest led Stefan to develop a local IP tracking software, which proved partially successful but revealed limitations in follow-up strategies. 

A turning point came when Stefan discovered the power of LinkedIn and honed his expertise in leveraging the platform for outbound marketing. 

This newfound passion led to providing LinkedIn outreach services and eventually inspired the creation of Expandi.io, a game-changing tool designed for agencies and those managing multiple LinkedIn accounts.

Stefan shared his thoughts about the significance of website conversion rates and tailoring messaging, design, and colors to target ideal client profiles. 

The impact of these strategies and the use of effective tools on client success. 

Stefan also shed light on Expandi. oi’s current target audience, which has expanded beyond agency owners to include recruitment agencies, sales teams, and marketers seeking data for retargeting or webinar promotion.

Building a Community 

Towards the end of the podcast, Stefan reflects on the journey of their company, highlighting rapid growth and the need for a different skill set to reach higher revenue targets. 

Stefan went into detail about his intention to bring in experienced individuals to implement processes, build teams, and set KPIs. 

The guest concludes by sharing their ambitious revenue goal for the current year and the determination of the entire company to achieve it, despite the challenges that lie ahead.

Final Thoughts

Stefan’s inspiring journey from being burnt out to building a successful B2B SaaS company serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and embracing new opportunities. 

His insights on leveraging LinkedIn, personal branding, and scaling a startup provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and established professionals alike.

VezaTalks aims to offer valuable insights and inspiration to help you navigate both the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship. Watch the Podcast now!