Traverse City SEO

Hello and welcome to my website! My name is Tyler Tafelsky, and I am an SEO professional based in Traverse City, Michigan.

Freelance SEO PPC Content Writer Copywriter Tyler Tafelsky

As a native born and raised in Traverse City, I’ve seen our small vacation town blossom into quite the midwestern tech hub. It’s now home to many different companies in the digital space, from startup incubators to web design shops.

In 2009, my first professional role out of college was an SEO copywriter for one of the few SEO companies in Traverse City at the time, Peak Positions. There, I learned the fundamentals of search engine optimization and its tremendous marketing potential to grow all types of businesses.

Fast-forward to today, and I now run my own Traverse City SEO company, operating as an independent freelancer. While my primary focus is SEO and content marketing, I also specialize in Google Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising and multi-channel digital marketing services.

There’s a reason why local Traverse City businesses work with me for their SEO over an agency. Learn more below about me and my offering, or contact me to get started.

Why Choose a Traverse City Freelancer vs. an SEO Agency

Me, Tyler Tafelsky, your future freelance PPC consultant traveling in Peru

There are many local marketing agencies that offer SEO in Traverse City. I’ve worked with and for a few of them, and some are great companies that staff talented professionals and bring a lot of capabilities to the table.

But with any professional service, agency-sized support comes with agency-sized rates. Contracts are often built around billable hours, which can range between $150 to $300 per hour with most SEO agencies. Most freelancers are priced well below that rate, and they operate far more efficiently than a bloated agency with a bureaucratic infrastructure.

Here’s a common scenario: an agency with a $175/hour rate might estimate 30 hours per month to provide comprehensive SEO services. That’s a substantial program priced at over $5k per month, typically structured as a 6- or 12-month contract, giving the agency time to “prove their worth.”

While that scenario may include fancified reporting deliverables, a dedicated project manager who provides weekly check-ins, and other value-added services, most businesses don’t need the high-touch SEO service at premium prices. Instead, an experienced freelance SEO provider can achieve the same outcome in 25 hours per month at a $75/hour rate, offering a comparable solution at less than $2k per month.

That, and you don’t get stuck in a contract agreement that doesn’t guarantee results. In fact, if any SEO provider guarantees results, you should see this as a big red flag. No doubt, there are proven best practices that deliver targeted SEO outcomes. But the nature of SEO is so dynamic and unpredictable that it’s impossible to guarantee specific results or that they’ll last.

Invest in affordable SEO services without the inflated price tag. Work with me.

My SEO Services at a Glance

grand traverse bay west arm aerial overlook

SEO is equal parts art and science. Some companies use software and technology to automate their SEO services. I firmly believe in the opposite. Sure, certain tools and platforms can provide intelligence. But it’s human creativity and strategy, stemming from that intelligence, that produce sustainable outcomes.

While every project is unique, some of the core services I offer include:

SEO audits, including comprehensive website assessments and content audits, technical SEO assessments, and competitive gap analysis.
Keyword research, trend analysis, and search data distillation that, when combined with audits, help inform smart SEO strategies rooted in data and intelligence.
On-site SEO strategy focused on keyword and search intent mapping, cohesive information architecture (IA), content strategy, image optimization, and user engagement.
SEO copywriting that factors in AI search, such as generative engine optimization (GEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO) strategies.
Technical SEO is intended to maximize indexation, crawl budget, and fix any errors or bottlenecks inhibiting performance.
Off-site SEO strategy, including PR campaigns, link building, social media marketing, and outreach.
Ongoing SEO monitoring with keyword rankings and Google Analytics reporting.
Supplemental search marketing services in PPC consulting and ad management across Google and Bing Ads.

It’s not like you have to pick and choose these services individually. In most cases, I will tailor an SEO program that combines these services based on your unique needs and objectives.

If you share your website with me, I can usually tell within minutes where it’s weak and where there are quick wins/low-hanging fruit to be gained.

Reach out to me to learn more.

My Background in SEO

Since 2009, when I started my professional career in Traverse City, I’ve been deeply engaged in search engine marketing, primarily through SEO and PPC advertising. My 2-year stint as an SEO copywriter later evolved into an Internet marketing manager role overseeing a range of initiatives, from content and social strategy to link building and local SEO.

tyler tafelsky traverse city seo expert — *The photo above: Downtown Traverse City, Michigan, on Cass Street at my first real job as an SEO copywriter. Circa 2009*

Up until 2021, I had always been full-time employed by an agency, mostly in leadership roles. And although I was able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working remotely for a greater part of my career, I still felt weighed down by the conventional 9-to-5 schedule and agency politics. I also felt spread thin across many different projects and roles, and was never able to self-actualize professionally.

In short, I eventually learned that the traditional agency dynamic is not for me. It was very difficult for me to derive meaning and fulfillment in my work, and the struggle to mitigate burnout felt like a never-ending battle.

I am certainly very grateful for my agency experience. It taught me many relevant skills and refined my ability as a strong communicator. But it was ultimately time for me to branch out and do my own thing.

In branching out independently, it was important for me to position myself to earn work that I truly love doing. And that type of work is SEO consulting, PPC advertising, and content strategy. I love the combination of exercising both analytical and creative skills, and turning data into ideas. And I love seeing my work make a tremendous impact.

That’s what is so awesome about SEO content strategy, in particular. A well-crafted, top-ranking blog post can produce profound volumes of organic traffic that can transform a business. Sure, that’s easier said than done. But the idea of focusing my efforts as a freelance SEO consultant and content strategist is what truly gets me excited.

Your Go-To SEO Consultant in Traverse City, MI

I dedicated this website to broadcasting myself as an SEO consultant, particularly for local Traverse City brands. You can learn more about freelance services or check out some of my work examples.

Freelance SEO consultant, Tyler Tafelsky, based in Traverse City, suited up ready for a bike race

Whether you’re based in northern Michigan or elsewhere, I welcome you to get in touch to learn more about how we can grow your search visibility. I provide freelance SEO for Traverse City-based businesses and beyond.

You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.