Atlanta-based Marketing & SEO consultant
Hey! I'm Joel
I’m Joel McRae, and I specialize in helping local businesses and global brands enhance their online presence through proven SEO strategies. With 9 years of experience in the SEO industry, I have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities involved in optimizing websites for better search engine rankings.
Numbers that I'm proud of
My SEO career in numbers
From launching blogs to managing SEO for national brands, I’ve spent the last nine years building strategies that work. These numbers represent the dedication and results I bring to every project—whether it’s increasing organic traffic, crafting a successful campaign, or earning the trust of my clients.
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Years of SEO experience
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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?
Other than my excellent track record of delivering results, here are some additional reasons to consider.
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You'll work directly with the expert proposing the work.
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I don't take on more work than what I can handle at any one time.
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With a background in web design, marketing & content writing, I bring a broader skill set to every project.
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I'm consistent and deliver on time.
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I'm easy to work with and a great communicator.
Transparency
You’ll always know what I’m working on and why—it’s your business, after all.
Honesty
If I don’t believe SEO will achieve 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 had the pleasure of working with numerous local businesses, helping them grow their online presence and attract more customers through effective SEO strategies. Throughout my career, I’ve played vital roles in the organic growth of these businesses in various capacities, including in-house, as an interim employee, via an agency, and as a self-employed contractor. My experience spans a wide range of industries, allowing me to tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each client.
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. My start wasn’t in some agency or big corporate office—it was 2011, and I was just a freshman with a laptop and a music blog called This Sound Goes Around. This was the golden age of music blogs, and I dove in headfirst, teaching myself how to code, how SEO worked, and how to make a brand feel like something. That site ended up pulling in over 30k monthly views, had nine staff writers, and became a full-on publication before I sold it and moved on.
From there, I started working as a publicist for Top Shelf Records, as well as a writer for Do Androids Dance, an EDM-focused music blog owned by Complex Magazine. At Top Shelf, I helped promote artists and secure press for their music, building relationships with promoters and music publications along the way. It was here that I really started honing my ability to tell stories and use SEO to make those stories visible. Around the same time, I became the Web Director for Kennesaw State University, where I rebuilt websites for the university’s online radio station and student newspaper. Somewhere in between juggling all of that, I started helping friends and local businesses with their sites & overall online presence too. Every project made me sharper—with content, with code, with search.
From Music to Marketing
Eventually, I took everything I’d picked up and jumped into a bigger arena. As the Digital Marketing Director for AMAS, I led SEO strategy for 11 different REALTOR® associations, including full website redesigns for associations like the Atlanta REALTORS® Association and the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS®. It was a chance to blend clean, user-focused design with SEO that actually moved the needle.
Full time, I’m a SEO Specialist at an Atlanta-based luxury real estate company. I spend my days optimizing websites, driving traffic, and figuring out what’s working—and what’s not. I still take on freelance projects outside my full-time role, and I’ve worked with everyone from neighborhood coffee shops to international e-commerce brands.
Outside the Office
When I’m not digging into keyword data or tweaking a site layout, I’m probably at a show somewhere in Atlanta. I’ve always been deep into music—indie, jam bands, bass-heavy weird stuff—you name it. I collect vinyl, read too much fiction and philosophy, and chase anything that sparks curiosity.
Lately, I’ve been working on two side projects: Podchives, a site for cataloging books, shows, and ideas mentioned in podcasts, and Coffee Shop Selection, a virtual crate-digging hub for people who love music and espresso in equal measure. More on those soon.