About Carlton Smith

Carlton R. Smith

Founder

Although I began my career as a journalist, I have been focused solely on digital media since 2000, and have been focused mostly on search engine marketing (SEO & PPC) since 2007.

Google Certified Internet Marketing Consultant

Google and Bing have recognized me as a certified professional, meaning that I’ve passed multiple exams assessing my online marketing expertise. I’m qualified to help you grow your business on the web using a variety of SEM & PPC methodologies — Google AdWords, Bing Ads, Facebook Ads, as well as some very proprietary retargeting and geo-fencing display ad techniques.

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My Career

  • SEO Expert and web consultant to businesses throughout the country
  • Director of E-Commerce, International Expeditions
  • Senior Editor of Search Engine Optimization, Time Inc.
  • Travel Editor, Time Inc.
  • Concept Writer & Editor, Hecklers.com (RIP), Birmingham, AL
  • Senior Editor, Vulcan Media (RIP)
  • Stringer and Fact-Checker, The Sunday Times, London, UK
  • Arts & Entertainment Editor, The Vail Trail (RIP), Vail, CO

My Accomplishments

  • Helped to launch a new nutritional supplement with a custom WordPress website with parallax effects, SEO, PPC, and inbound marketing components. Within 4 months, the product ranked on page 1 of Google for highly competitive terms in the natural herbal supplement niche.
  • Implemented an SEO & PPC campaign for a Birmingham law firm. The goal was to gradually spend less on pay-per-click and spend more on organic SEO. We implemented a call-tracking program, and 4 months later, the firm is generating more SEO leads than paid leads.
  • Helped my client win his election for the State House of Representatives. We built a custom theme on the Nationbuilder platform, and the candidate was able to quickly raise money, build a social media following, and communicate with prospects and constituents.
  • Implemented an SEO, PPC, and inbound marketing campaign for a medical publishing company that exceeded revenue and a significant pipeline of leads.
  • Exceeded web-enabled revenue by 30% and online bookings by 34% in 2013 with aggressive strategy of SEO, SEM, PPC, and Emarketing for a worldwide travel company
  • Increased organic search referrals by 20%, leading SEO campaign leveraging custom web content from freelance writers.
  • Exceeded organic search traffic +19% in FY12 with aggressive SEO campaign.
  • Launched and project managed Drupal website redesign, hiring external vendors and project managing.
  • Launched online travel portal aggregating content from Southern Living, Sunset, Coastal Living, Cottage Living, and Southern Accents magazines.
  • Led advertising partnership with travel portal website, 10Best.com.
  • Member of the digital team that won:
    • Society of American Travel Writers Lowell Thomas Award
    • “Byways of the South” web-exclusive feature, 2007
    • Honored with a Webby Awards Honorable Mention—“Best Site Redesign” SouthernLiving.com, 2006