Atlanta-based SEO Consultant & Marketing Expert
Hey! I'm Joel
I’m Joel McRae, and I help small businesses and global brands show up where it matters—online. With a decade of hands-on SEO experience, I’ve worked across industries to boost visibility, improve rankings, and build real results. Whether it’s a neighborhood real estate agent or a national brand, I bring strategy, clarity, and a no-BS approach to every project.
Numbers that I'm proud of
My SEO career in numbers
I’ve spent the last ten years building and executing SEO strategies that drive results. From launching blogs to optimizing enterprise websites, I’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t. These stats aren’t just vanity metrics. They reflect the trust my clients place in me, and the real impact I’ve helped deliver: more traffic, stronger rankings, and measurable growth.
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12-month average search traffic increase
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Successful campaigns
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Client satisfaction
Why work with me?
A short intro
You could work with another consultant or agency, so why pick me?
Aside from delivering results that speak for themselves, here’s what I bring to the table:
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You work directly with me—the person doing the work, not just selling it.
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I never overload my schedule. If I take you on, you get my full attention.
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My background spans web design, marketing, and content strategy, giving me range most SEOs don’t have.
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I hit deadlines and stay consistent, every step of the way.
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I’m easy to work with and communicate clearly (no jargon-filled chaos).
Transparency
You’ll always know what I’m working on and why—it’s your business, after all.
Honesty
If I don’t think SEO will work for your goals, I’ll tell you upfront and suggest alternatives.
Experience
With nearly a decade in SEO, I’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t) across a variety of industries.
Trusted by businesses of all sizes
I’ve worked with everyone from neighborhood shops to national brands, helping them grow their online visibility and bring in more search traffic. Over the years, I’ve taken on SEO roles in just about every setup—agency-side, in-house, interim, and freelance.
That range lets me adapt quickly and deliver exactly what each client needs, no matter their size or structure.
A little bit more about me
Hey! I’m Joel McRae, an Atlanta-based marketing & SEO consultant with a passion for helping brands—big and small—thrive in the digital world. I didn’t come up through some fancy agency or buttoned-up corporate gig. I started in 2012 with a passion project—an independent music blog called This Sound Goes Around. Back then, music blogs were it, and I taught myself how to build a site, write for an audience, and get found on Google. Before long, that blog had nine writers, was pulling 25,000+ monthly views, and had grown into a legitimate online publication with artist interviews, industry think pieces, and exclusive music premieres. I sold it and moved on—but the spark was lit.
Next stop: Top Shelf Records, where I handled publicity and secured press for artists I genuinely admired. Around the same time, I became an Associate Editor for Do Androids Dance, a new EDM blog owned by Complex Magazine, and took on a Web Director role at Kennesaw State University. I rebuilt the websites for their online radio station and student newspaper—learning how to juggle design, code, SEO, and storytelling all at once.
I also started helping friends and small businesses on the side, and that’s where everything really came together.
Content. Code. Search. It all clicked.
From Music to Marketing
Eventually, I stepped into a bigger role as the Digital Marketing Director at AMAS. I ran marketing & SEO strategy for 11 REALTOR® associations, led full website redesigns for major clients, and merged clean, user-first design with SEO that actually brought in traffic. It was a crash course in real estate, scalability, and strategy—and I loved every second of it.
These days, I’m a full-time marketing & SEO specialist for a luxury real estate company here in Atlanta. I handle everything from technical audits to content strategy, all with the goal of turning traffic into leads. On the side, I still work with a mix of clients—local businesses, artists, and e-commerce brands looking to grow smart and sustainably.
Outside the Office
When I’m not optimizing sites or deep in keyword research, you’ll probably find me at a show somewhere in Atlanta. Music’s always been core to who I am—indie rock, jam bands, hip-hop, bass-heavy weird stuff—you name it. I collect records, read a lot of fiction, watch a lot of hockey, and follow curiosity wherever it leads.
Aside from blogging about SEO, I’ve been working on a passion project called Coffee Shop Selection, a digital crate-digging hub for people who love music and espresso in equal measure. More on that coming soon.