CRAIG KIESSLING Atlanta, GA Tel: (470) 426-6152 craig[at]craigkiessling.com PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY I’ve over 15 years of experience touching on a variety of digital aspects in Online Marketing, with a fine-tuned focus and passion for organic, quality, holistic white hat SEO. Strategy, Management, Execution, On-Page, Off-Page, Technical, Content Creation, Development as well as many other aspects and activities make up my Digital Experience & Expertise in Search Engine Optimization. I enjoy seeing the “whole picture.” Establishing a solid understanding of where we are, before diving into how we get to where we want to go. This means more than complete Site Audits, but rather web presence audits; researching Analytics, Social, Search and more to help understand the current Competitive Landscape. Data and Analytics are crucial, however qualitative research and creativity helps make sense of the numbers; identifying trends, offline factors and most importantly the users’ mind helps not only add a human touch to technology, but makes metrics insightful and actionable. When it comes to Content Management Systems, I must admit to being a WordPress fan – I’ve Designed, Developed, Managed, Optimized, and Created Content for numerous websites. I enjoy being the stand-alone guy or working in conjunction with others to drive results, gather insights, and develop ongoing best practices. I’ve worked with small and large organizations in multiple industries and technologies. Although I am not a fan of micro-management, I am a fan of clear transparent communication being a two-way avenue. WORK EXPERIENCE Know Agency Technical SEO Manager August 2021 - October 2022 Atlanta, GA Reporting to the CEO, I get into the technical SEO weeds. Working with code and content management systems, I apply fixes and optimizations from technical SEO audits. I also meet with clients to advise on best practices, explain certain issues, concepts and tactics and more. Bright Edge, Deep Crawl, SEMRush, Screaming Frog and other tools help me to help the clients. WrightIMC SEO Director August 2019 - November 2019 Plano, TX (Remote / Telecommute) A short role with a great company, that wasn't quite ready for a remote relationship. However, in the time there, I sat in on kick-off, status update and internal meetings, bringing to the table consultative advice from years of experience in areas of research, process, development and more; all in regards to SEO for client sites. Full-range site (and off-site) audits, optimization implementations, procedural roadmap creation, site fixes, content changes and more. InterCoastal Net Designs (ICND) SEO Executive March 2016 - September 2018 Ocean Isle Beach, NC (Remote / Telecommute) A focus on SEO for 10+ clients and over 100 billable hours monthly within WordPress environments (and a migration or two into WP), involving all aspects of SEO, Analytics and Reporting. Responsible for implementing SEO programs across 10+ accounts. Advanced Technical Site Analysis - Including but not limited to: canonicalization, site architecture optimization, inbound/outbound link analysis, error reporting, 301 redirects, meta data optimization, page load speed analysis, textual and media content optimization, internal linking and more. Content Strategy - Conduct keyword research used to inform original, unique, informative, helpful and converting content, while managing and educating content writers on SEO. Often involved proofreading, editing, optimizing, etc. Company-Wide SEO Education - Develop educational programs for SEO best practices. Created educational documents, presentations, etc. for team leaders to increase efficiency and productivity in terms of Search. Website Management - ( HTML / CSS / PHP / WordPress ) - Administration of all WordPress sites - customization, SEO, back-end usability for clients, white-labeling and much more. Reporting - Created in-depth monthly reports for clients, utilizing a variety of data sources, with customized explanatory text. CSKnet SEO Director (Manager / Specialist / Consultant / [insert preferred catchy title here]) 2007 – Present Atlanta, GA Consulted with diverse clients on SEO (Search Engine Optimization), WordPress migration, Social Media, Web Design & Development, Strategy, Reporting, Analytics, Training and more. Vivian's Muse (just started) - Re-design of site [complete - minus optimizations] - Ongoing optimization and tweaks GriffinWink Advertising / Warehouse75 - Full SEO Audits - Monthly Reporting - Analytics, Moz, Audits - Consulting, Advising and Implementing on all aspects of Search Engine Optimization for 8 client accounts TrustWorkz - SEO Audits & Hands-on Implementation - Monthly Billable Hours for 5 Clients Trekerie - Website Transfer from SquareSpace to WordPress Hiyaa!! Martial Arts Podcast (www.hiyaapodcast.com) - Co-Host, Webmaster & Online Marketing Manager - Custom Design & Development of Website, utilizing WordPress - Social Media Optimization - Content Development - SEO - Search Engine Optimization Atlanta Mahjong - Design & Develop informational, yet converting & engaging website - Implement customized CMS - Initiate Competitive Research, SEO, SMO, Online Marketing, etc. - Engage in blogging and other Web 2.0 practices PATHS Atlanta - As a founding member of this non-profit, I built the website, and provide webmaster-ing, SEO, Content Management, Competitive Research & Benchmarking, analytics, Video Production & Marketing, blogging, as well instruct in martial arts - Increased overall traffic by 200% Central Equine - Consulted & Implemented SEO strategies & techniques, competitive landscape benchmarking, monthly analytics and competitive progress reports, keyword research, offsite strategies, etc. Sagal Radio - Consulted on Web Development & Online Marketing implementation Brocket Pub & Grill - Consulted on Web Development, Content Management & SEO, increasing traffic by 150% Definition 6 - Initiated in-house SEO process with aligned Analytics Twenty-Six Two Marketing Agency - Consulted, Advised & Implemented strategies for Competitive Research, Benchmarking, SEO, SEM, SMO, Reporting, Development, Blogging, Content Management Systems, Online Marketing efforts and more for various clients - Sampling of clients include: M9 Solutions, Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia, Rilko Kids, LimeDot, Christian City, ChoicePoint’s IRM (Identity Risk Management), National Disability Lawyers, 755 Club, etc. Worked with clients in Singapore, such as Joshua Consulting Group, Omniface & Grassland Express Tours, to provide in-depth Competitive Analysis, advice & Implementation of enhancements to web presence, activities and processes, and manage flow of enhancement for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific Pte Ltd 2002 - 2007 Singapore SEO & Online Marketing Manager / Webmaster (Country-level) - Raised Web-Generated revenue across country SMB Portals in South East Asia by 40-60%, within a 12-month period. - Strategic Planning, Initiation and Managing Execution of web and eMarketing (online, internet & email marketing) campaigns for the SMB & Enterprise sector in Singapore, Indonesia, India & Thailand - Conceptualized & Initiated execution of program to equally distribute visibility of various Business Unit’s products on portals - Designed, Developed & Managed execution of eDMs (electronic direct mail marketing), Promotions & Special Events Pages, Micro-sites, Links & Chicklets; all as supporting and achieving various SMB campaign objectives - Ensured fresh content for site & eCommerce applications was up to date, using CMS, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL and more. - Used various reporting tools to create reports, analyzed and acted upon Campaign Performance Metrics & Conversions - Liaised directly with CRM & ERP associates to achieve full CLM (closed-loop marketing), from ensuring accuracy & completeness in customer database and targeting the audience, to loyalty programs, Opt-ins and personalization. - Migrated old portals into new standards of design & development, ensuring usability and structure - Facilitated New Product Introductions online - Managed partners & vendors in collaborating on projects - Re-developed and Maintained SMB portals and updated online Product Catalogues - Helped facilitate various customer incentive rewards programs within Singapore - Lead presentations and meetings to highlight achievements and discuss escalations - Served on various project planning and execution boards for various aims, including Web 2.0 involvement, such as blogging, SMO, etc. - Trained various agency employees in HP Proprietary software, HP eMarketing standards, Design & Development standards, etc. - Continuously improved operating processes, keeping in mind budget (and individual & team targets), so as to lower cost and improve ROI. - Conducted in-depth training for new team members to repeat all duties of a Country Operations Manager for other South-East Asian countries CSKnet 1998 - 2002 Online Marketing & SEO Consultant Atlanta, GA Worked with diverse clients to: - Conceptualize, Initiate and Manage online web, Internet & email Marketing campaigns - Lead & Coordinate various aspects of Online Acquisition & Retention Marketing efforts designed to drive site traffic. PPC (pay-per-click), SEO (search engine optimization), SEM (search engine marketing), Affiliate programs, Portals, Comparison Shopping sites, Affinity sites, & other media-based business building activities. - Analyze metrics of marketing campaigns, web sites & portals (SEO, usability, keywords, structure, lead generation, customer database, etc.), create reports, and consult on effective strategic solutions for better ROI. - Consulted, advised & implemented proper roadmaps to standards, usability, accessibility, cross-browser compatibility, etc. - Advise on content for lead generation, retention, return visits, lead conversion, SEO, SEM, eCommerce, SMO, etc. - Develop entertaining yet informative newsletters and collateral materials with HTML, PHP, MySQL, CSS and other development technologies - Explaining & Offering high bandwidth/low bandwidth options - Full life-cycle local and web-based application development - Site maintenance and communication establishment Sample list of clients: Six Continents Hotels, Warranty Corporation of America, Grizzard, Homestore, EzGov, Golden Key, Physical Training Traditions, TechBios, Salvation Army – Florida, WebUseNet, E-Staff, C. Dickens Integratech 1995 - 1998 Atlanta, GA Web Service Manager - Initiated company website development to improve communications, using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP & MySQL - Ensured website was up to standards, including accessibility, usability, cross-browser compatibility, etc. - Facilitated inter-departmental communications via reports, newsletters, etc. - Crisis Management in day-to-day escalations - Managed team of over twenty customer service representatives - Prepared reports based on sales and Customer Service Representatives ASSOCIATIONS The National Eagle Scout Association The Internet Society The Online Marketing Research Organization The Management Solutions Network The International Webmaster Association The HTML Writers Group The Web Design and Developers Association The Atlanta SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Association PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES 2004 Certificate in Total Customer Experience (Hewlett-Packard) 2004 Certificate in Quality and Workforce Development (Hewlett-Packard) 2004 Certificate in Data Privacy (Hewlett-Packard) 1999 Certificate in Developing Web Applications, NTI (New Technologies Instruction) EDUCATION University of Georgia - Athens, Georgia 1991 - 1995 Business Administration / Marketing References, Letter of Recommendation, etc. available upon request Please visit www.craigkiessling.com for more details Sincerely