Blair Witkowski: Bridging the Worlds of SEO Expertise and Everyday Adventure
Welcome to “Since Last Week” – your weekly digest of all things SEO, brought to you by me, Blair Witkowski, an SEO expert with a knack for real-world results and relatable advice.
I believe in making SEO approachable and relatable. It’s not just about traffic and rankings; it’s about stories, connections, and making a real impact.
Why Take My Advice? I actually make a living doing SEO!
The Early Days: Finding a Path in Digital Marketing
This is my story – not one of overnight success but of dedication and a deep dive into the ever-evolving world of SEO. For nearly 15 years, I have been immersed in the nuances of digital marketing, making my mark as an SEO expert.
The Beginning: A Foray into Digital Marketing
My journey began in the early 2000s, a time when the internet was blossoming into the giant it is today. SEO was a relatively new concept, and I was intrigued by its potential. I started in-house, working for various companies, big and small. It was a period of intense learning, of understanding how SEO can be a game-changer for businesses.
Coastal Marketing Strategies: Turning Point
In 2015, I embarked on a new venture – Coastal Marketing Strategies. This wasn’t just a business; it was a culmination of everything I had learned. We offered SEO services, WordPress web design, and an array of digital marketing solutions. My team, comprised of designers and SEO professionals, focused on delivering tangible results to our clients.
.
Tech Writer EDC: A Passion Project
Parallel to my professional life, I pursued my passion for adventure and outdoor gear through Tech Writer EDC. This site allowed me to explore a different side of myself – reviewing watches, knives, and discussing survival topics.
It wasn’t just about products; it was about connecting with a community of like-minded individuals. Over 300 product reviews later, this site stands as a testament to my dedication to comprehensive and honest assessments.
Expanding Horizons: More Website & More Projects
My expertise in SEO and digital marketing led me to develop several other sites. Lowcountry Style & Living delved into travel and food in the Southeast, while Hard Work Theory catered to a men’s lifestyle audience, expanding into tech reviews and articles about self-employment. The Food We Know and French Roast Downtown were born out of my love for food and coffee, each a unique venture into specific niches.
Survival Instinct: Understanding SEO Shifts
In response to Google’s algorithm updates, I acquired Survival Instinct. This move was strategic, aimed at gaining insights into how these changes were affecting affiliate and niche sites. It was a step towards understanding the broader impacts of SEO trends and shifts.
A Decade of SEO Expertise
For over nine years, I have been self-employed, fully immersed in the world of SEO. This period has been about growing affiliate sites and blogs into profitable entities, using real-world experiences to guide my strategies. My approach has always been practical, focusing on what works and adapting to the ever-changing digital landscape.
Embracing Technology and Innovation
Staying relevant in SEO means being open to new technologies. I have continually invested in and experimented with new SEO software, ensuring that my strategies are not just effective but also innovative and forward-looking.
The Human Element in SEO
Despite my successes, I’ve always aimed to keep my approach humble and relatable. SEO, to me, is not just about rankings and traffic; it’s about creating meaningful connections and stories. I strive to make SEO understandable and accessible to everyone, demystifying complex concepts.
Life Beyond the Screen
Away from the world of SEO and digital marketing, I find solace in the serene landscapes of South Carolina, where I reside with my wife, Jennifer. These moments away from work are essential, grounding me and providing a fresh perspective that I bring back to my professional life.
Other Projects and Publications
My work extends well beyond Since Last Week. Everything I write here is rooted in real-world experience gained through building and running a network of brands, publications, and digital platforms. Each project represents a different side of my curiosity — whether that’s SEO, storytelling, craftsmanship, or community.
- Coastal Marketing Strategies — My flagship digital agency based in South Carolina. We focus on SEO, web design, and marketing strategies for service-based businesses, helping them grow and dominate their local markets.
- Garage Door Galaxy — The largest independent directory of garage door companies in America. This platform connects homeowners with trusted local installers and gives small companies a real edge in search visibility.
- Garage Door SEO Experts — A specialized marketing agency dedicated to the garage door industry. It’s where I test and refine high-performance SEO campaigns before rolling them out to client sites.
- Gutter Pro HQ + Gutter Pro Marketing Labs — Together, these projects form a national directory and marketing hub for gutter professionals, built to empower local businesses with visibility, SEO, and smarter lead generation.
- Lowcountry Style & Living — A lifestyle publication founded with my wife, Jennifer, celebrating life in the South Carolina Lowcountry through food, travel, and local culture.
- Tech Writer EDC — A long-running gear and watch review site where I share field-tested opinions on knives, watches, and everyday carry tools.
- Survival Gear Outpost — An e-commerce and creative platform focused on outdoor gear, adventure, and original artwork.
- Hard Work Theory — A personal project exploring entrepreneurship, mindset, and the realities of building something from the ground up.
Each of these projects allows me to stay sharp, test new strategies, and keep my finger on the pulse of what actually works online. I write from a place of practice — not theory — because I believe credibility in SEO comes from building things that succeed.
If you’ve ever wondered why my advice is a little different, it’s because it’s not recycled — it’s field-tested. Every lesson, insight, and recommendation here on Since Last Week is backed by the same real-world experience that drives my companies, clients, and creative projects forward.
Guiding Others Through the SEO Maze
As an SEO expert, my goal is to guide others through the complexities of digital marketing. With a wealth of experience and a diverse portfolio, I aim to simplify the journey for those venturing into SEO, making it less daunting and more rewarding.
My story is one of continuous learning, adaptation, and a passion for both the technical and human aspects of SEO. It’s about bridging the gap between businesses and their audiences, using the tools and knowledge I’ve acquired over the years.