Growth advisor for Seed-to-Series B B2B SaaS – PLG strategy, content, AI Optimization (AIO), and attribution
Ilia was extremely knowledgable in the B2B space providing expert guidance of tactics and best practices to help me validate my problem and decide what the next best steps were going to be ! Thanks Ilia! I have some homework to do :)
During the meeting, Ilia Markov gave very useful insights regarding the project we were talking about. In general, our conversation was very cozy, I felt like I am talking with my friend and very intelligent man. Very recommend!
I had a great call with Ilia - Ilia shared a ton of extremely helpful insights about content marketing, social media growth, SEO, pricing. I highly recommend booking a call with him. Thanks & looking forward to our next discussion.
I've spent the last decade inside B2B SaaS companies (Toggl, Meilisearch, ChartMogul) building the growth systems that turn product usage into revenue. My sweet spot: Seed-to-Series B companies with a self-serve or PLG motion that's stalled – they have a product people like but no repeatable engine to grow. What I work on with mentees: ⦿ PLG strategy and execution – signup flows, activation, conversion pathways, trial-to-paid optimization ⦿ Content and SEO that drive pipeline, not vanity traffic ⦿ AI Optimization (AIO) – getting your product recommended by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other LLMs ⦿ Marketing attribution – knowing what's actually working before spending more Results from my operating roles: 5x growth at Toggl (70K trials/month), 113% revenue increase at Meilisearch, 157% trial-to-paid lift at ChartMogul. I bring the same playbooks to advisory sessions. I also take on longer-term paid advisory engagements (3-month minimum) for companies that want ongoing strategic and execution support. If that's what you're looking for, mention it when you book – happy to discuss scope and fit.
I have started, scaled, and managed content marketing programs for 5+ different SaaS brands. I know how to create the strategy and the processes, hire and lead a team (internally or through outsourcing), and set up a framework to measure success.
I have over a decade experience helping B2B SaaS companies grow. My sweet spot is in the $1-10m ARR range. I have seen first hand that many companies struggle not so much with picking the right marketing channels and executing on them, but with figuring out their GTM strategy – who to go after and how to get them. I can help you figure out your fundamental strategy, which will set your company on the path to success.
I can help you figure out your marketing/growth strategy bringing my experience of 10+ years working in B2B SaaS. Whether it is deciding on your channel strategy, considering what growth loops to invest in, or auditing specific channels, I can be your guide.
I used to work for ChartMogul as Content Marketing Manager. From my time I know the not just the features, but I've also had the chance to talk to customers to learn about more advanced ways to use the platform.
Google Analytics is my go-to platform for tracking and analyzing website traffic. In the past, I've used it to understand channel performance, track conversions, and decide how to allocate marketing budget.
The Google Search Console is my most trusted source of keyword and SEO data because it comes from the source. But Webmaster Tools has other incredibly valuable tools that tell you how Google sees your website and where you need to focus on delivering improvements.
I have been using Notion with teams since 2019 to keep everyone on the same page, run projects, and manage sprints. I can help you set it up in a way that will allow you to replace most other tools that you're currently using to organize information and manage projects.
I have been managing content marketing programs on WordPress since 2015. Before that, I used to work for a web hosting company that was deeply embedded in the WordPress community.
Since the beginning of 2024, I have transitioned my role to that of a full-time growth advisor. My goal is to help the next generation of B2B SaaS startups succeed by building efficient and scalable marketing programs. Whether you're an early-stage startup or an established company, I specialize in crafting go-to-market strategies, refining positioning, and implementing holistic marketing strategies.
• Built and executed an integrated growth marketing strategy across content, paid, and referral/sponsorship channels, strengthening both self-serve and sales-led acquisition helping the company achieve 113% increase in revenue YoY. • Audited and optimized marketing analytics stack, implementing conversion tracking that enabled clear attribution of growth and conversions to marketing activities and channels. • Developed and executed a blog content strategy that resulted in a 250% traffic growth. • Managed relationships with 10+ external stakeholders (agencies, freelancers, content creators, etc.)
I am teaching "Future-Proof Content Marketing": a 2-week sprint on how to build and implement a content marketing strategy that will make you successful in 2024 and beyond.
I help companies looking to take their digital marketing to the next level with marketing strategy formulation and implementation, focussing on digital marketing, content strategy, social media, website optimization, etc. Recent projects include: • Participated in a social media activation campaign for one of the biggest lager brands in the world. • Strategizing, curating content, and managing social media channels for two customers. • Created conceptual prototype for online customer portal for the Bulgarian branch of one of Europe's largest insurance companies. • Planned and implemented an inbound marketing strategy for an accounting and legal services brand. • Producing content on a regular basis for various customers.
• Optimized content strategy for blog, resources section, and newsletter resulting in a 40% increase in site visits YOY • Implemented a new product onboarding flow, which resulted in a 157% lift in the conversion rate from trial to paid • Led marketing campaign for the launch of the world's first subscription data platform in March 2020 resulting in 4% growth in MRR • Renewed subscription flow for the email newsletter, which resulted in a 4% monthly increase in subscriptions
I own the content marketing channels at Hubstaff. I plan, produce, and oversee content from ideation to publication and optimization.
● Project Management: Planned, implemented & managed a number of marketing projects related to company’s core activity leading small teams of designers and developers. ● Product Marketing: Overseeing performance & managing several products. Working closely with Sales department on Student Web Hosting program, resulting in initiating partnerships with over 20 professors from leading educational institutions. ● Content Strategy & Production: Created content for corporate channels on a regular basis, including blogposts for corporate blog, social media announcements, email copy, etc. Working familiarity with WordPress, MailChimp, Buffer, and others. ● Business Intelligence and Analysis: Conducted research with the aim of improving conversion rates along company’s sale process. Implemented system for e-mail follow up of customers not completing their purchase. ● User Interface Design: Planned & implemented visual & functional changes to service’s User Area, Staging, and Web Applications Tools (for managing WordPress & Joomla installations).
Together with the rest of a team of MBA students, I was responsible for assisting management in identifying target customers and defining the company’s product vision: ● Tested, validated, and refined the product vision based on empirical feedback from selected market segments ● Conducted primary market research and interviewed over 30 marketing professionals, end users, and other potential stakeholders.
Tailoring the marketing messaging and bringing value to customers was my primary responsibility at Simex. During my tenure, I led a team, tasked with developing the online brand of the company and its primary commercial projects. I also developed and executed a strategy for targeting, contacting, and cooperating with partner realtor agencies. On many occasions I served as the primary point-of-contact for potential customers and had to ensure that they receive seamless experience from initial contact to ownership transfer. Success in an tough economic environment, combined with increased level of competition, was a tribute to our efforts.
A side project started as an extension of a personal hobby, Vinoblog quickly grew to prominence: ● Implemented a content calendar, covering events, meetings, new releases, as well as opinion pieces. ● Grew Facebook page to over 1300 fans organically within a year of launch.
