The Hidden Cost of Bad SEO Hires: 3 Years Lost.
Scaling an SEO agency means building the right team, not just landing clients.
Propellic spent three years and five failed hires searching for a senior SEO who could lead. We filled the role in 22 days.
That hire is now their Enterprise SEO and PPC Manager.
Since then, Propellic returned for another hire and referred other U.S. agencies our way.
Here’s how it happened.
Where Speed Meets Quality
Candidate Interview Ratio
75% of our leads (9 of 12) advanced to interviews with Propellic.
Time-to-Hire Average
Role filled in 22 days after 3 years and 5 failed hires.
Role Hired For
The role was promoted to Enterprise SEO & PPC Manager
The Best Part
Propellic valued our work so highly, they returned for another hire and referred other U.S. SEO agencies to us.
Propellic is a performance-driven digital marketing and SEO agency that specializes in SEO for travel and tourism brands.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, and operating with a lean, expert team of 20 employees, Propellic partnered with SEO for Hire to find a senior-level Technical SEO specialist.
They needed someone who could not only execute at a high level but also support the agency’s continued growth in a competitive industry.
“Strong Value Prop & Great Process for Employers
I am so deeply impressed with the quality of the candidates received from SEO for hire.
They reached out to me at just the right time and had a strong value proposition, so I was ready to get started.”
Brennen Bliss
Founder of Propellic
What was Propellic's Biggest Bottleneck?
Despite Propellic’s reputation as a top-tier SEO agency for the travel industry, filling their Tech SEO Lead role had become a three-year challenge.
After five unsuccessful hires, each one falling short on skill, culture fit, or long-term commitment, the team was on the verge of giving up.
Brennen knew they couldn’t afford to get it wrong again.
He needed someone exceptional, and fast.
How did we Achieve a Successful Hire for this SEO Agency?
Propellic needed more than just another candidate, they needed a leader who could own strategy, drive growth, and deliver results for high-stakes clients in the travel and tourism space.
Here’s how we delivered:
Strategic Discovery Session
We kicked off with a deep-dive session to understand the complexity of Propellic’s client portfolio and the leadership qualities required.
This included aligning on technical expertise, ownership mentality, and industry-specific knowledge crucial for their SEO lead role.
Targeted Search & Vetting
Leveraging our specialist SEO talent network, we sourced senior-level candidates with a proven track record of strategic SEO delivery.
Each was evaluated not only on their technical skills, but also on their ability to manage end-to-end SEO campaigns tailored to client goals.
Fast-Tracked Placement Process
We handled the screening, technical assessments, and interview scheduling to remove friction and keep momentum high. Within three weeks, Propellic secured their new Senior SEO Manager.
“Within just over a month, we secured a new team member who is the most promising new member of our team. We’ve tried to fill this roll 5 times in the past 3 years, and this is the first time we’ve felt we’ve found the right fit.
Thank you, Daris and Josh!”
Brennen Bliss
Founder of Propellic
What Made this Hire Successful?
A great hire isn’t just about speed. It’s about long-term performance, leadership, and measurable business impact.
1. Role Filled in Under 1 Month
From initial discovery call to signed offer in under 22 days.
2. Strategic Ownership from Day One
The candidate immediately took charge of Propellic’s SEO strategy for high-value travel clients, delivering results within the first month.
3. Long-Term Growth Driver
Since joining, this hire has been promoted to an enterprise leadership role, developing and executing cutting-edge SEO and PPC strategies that deliver tangible results.
Their performance has contributed to helping position Propellic for scalable, sustainable growth.
Results Summary
Propellic were able to scale their business while SEO for Hire managed talent sourcing and filling their Senior SEO Manager role.
With Propellic as a valued partner of SEO for Hire, they were able to achieve:
Time-to-Hire
Role filled in 22 days compared to 3 years with 5 wasted hires before our assistance.
Speed with Specialised Headhunting
Propellic were able to fill their Senior SEO Manager role within under 1 month, due to efficient hiring processes and elite SEO talent networkds from SEO For Hire.
The hire has now been promoted to Enterprise SEO Manager, managing SEO and PPC efforts.
Scaling without Slowing Down
Brennen shared that partnering with SEO for Hire allowed the Propellic team to stay focused on scaling their client work and operations, without getting bogged down by the hiring process.
Our specialised approach, clear alignment, and deep industry expertise made the difference.
Candidates Put Forward
In 22 days, we were able to put forward 12 suitable leads for Propellic to select from.
Candidates Interviewed
75% (9 out of 12) of those that were suitable leads were selected and moved into the interview stage with Propellic before final decision was made.
FAQs
How Does SEO For Hire Find the top 1% of SEO talent?
We’ve built the largest global network of SEOs—over 52,000 strong—curated through events, content funnels, and referrals. Our vetting process tests real-world skills, communication, and adaptability.
What Roles can SEO For Hire Help Fill?
We recruit across the SEO spectrum—from Junior SEOs to VP and even CEO, covering technical SEO, content strategy, and SEO product management.
How Fast can You Fill a Role?
95% of our roles are filled within 28 days. We often deliver pre-vetted candidates for urgent roles in under 10 days.
What Makes Your Candidates Stick Around?
We ensure long-term alignment on values, goals, and team fit—leading to a 30% boost in retention. All placements include a one-year satisfaction guarantee.
Do You Work with Startups or Large Enterprises?
Both. From nimble startup teams to global SEO operations, we tailor our approach to suit your scale and culture.