Chris Essey
- Founder & Digital Marketing Strategist
- Pittsburgh 30 Under 30
- Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine
- Business Owner x3
- Fortune 100 Consultant
- Educator & Mentor
- Philanthropy Advocate
- Lifelong Learner
I’m a marketer, strategist, and entrepreneur who believes business should serve both people and purpose. Over the past decade, I’ve led digital initiatives for Fortune 100 companies, advised founders, and built a values-driven marketing agency focused on strategy, integrity, and measurable growth.
I’m the Founder of Essey Marketing, a Pittsburgh-based digital agency that has helped more than 80 clients scale through SEO, social media, web development, and full-funnel strategy. My work has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine and LinkedIn News for its focus on aligning digital tactics with long-term business goals.
I also serve as a Digital Brand Strategist & Web Consultant at Nationwide, helping modernize enterprise digital experiences across SEO, content, UX, paid media, and web development. In addition, I lead Marketing and Business Development at 3Rivers General Contracting, where strategic digital growth has supported its expansion into a multi-million-dollar company.
Through Essey Marketing, I dedicate a portion of every dollar earned to nonprofits and community initiatives, while mentoring students and entrepreneurs committed to building meaningful, impact-driven work.
Current Roles
- Founder & Digital Marketing Consultant – Essey Marketing
- Digital Brand Strategist & Web Consultant – Nationwide
- Director of Marketing & Business Development – 3Rivers General Contracting
- Founder & Writer – Stoic Saturdays
- Chief Marketing Officer & Co-Owner – Active Cities
- Lecturer & Mentor – Multiple Universities
- Mentor – American Marketing Association
Writing & Newsletters
Writing has become a central part of my work—both as a marketer and as a human being trying to live thoughtfully. My writing spans marketing education, Stoic philosophy, and long-form personal essays grounded in meaning, mortality, and intentional living.
Essey Marketing
A resource for digital marketing tips, trends, and strategies to help you build a successful digital presence.
Digital Marketing for Students
A weekly newsletter that simplifies digital marketing fundamentals into quick, clear lessons you can read in 5 minutes.
Stoic Saturdays
Stoic Saturdays encourages readers to apply Stoic philosophy to their daily lives through meditations and reflections.
The Wilderness Within
Essays on conservation, living off the land, and reconnecting with nature through respect, stewardship, and timeless traditions of place.
Essey Marketing
Essey Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency built on the belief that marketing should create real business outcomes—not just surface-level metrics.
Founded in Pittsburgh, the agency works with clients across the United States, helping them grow through SEO, content strategy, website development, paid media, and integrated digital marketing. Clients range from solo founders and nonprofits to established brands and enterprise teams.
What differentiates Essey Marketing is not a proprietary tactic or trend-driven approach. It’s a commitment to understanding the business first—its goals, constraints, customers, and long-term vision—before building strategy.
A defining part of the agency’s identity is its commitment to giving back. Through Essey Marketing, 8% of all revenue is dedicated to nonprofit organizations, scholarships, and community initiatives focused on education, environmental conservation, and social impact.
Essey Marketing exists to prove that businesses can grow responsibly, operate ethically, and still achieve measurable success.
Marketing Services
Search Engine Optimization
SEO is more than just ranking—it’s about being found by the right people at the right time. We help businesses grow their visibility in search engines through smart, technical, and strategic optimization. From on-page SEO and keyword research to local SEO, backlink building, and content strategy, we create a holistic SEO plan designed for long-term success. We don’t chase algorithms—we build trust, authority, and relevance. Whether you’re a small business looking to grow locally or an enterprise scaling nationally, our SEO services deliver sustainable traffic and real business results.
- SEO Auditing
- Google Analytics Setup
- Routine Reporting
- Keyword Research
- Keyword Integration
- On-Page Optimization
- Off-Page Optimization
- Technical Optimization
- Local SEO
- Content Creation
Social Media Marketing
Social media isn’t just about posting—it’s about connecting. At Essey Marketing, we help brands build a meaningful presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Our approach goes beyond likes and follows. We focus on strategy-driven content that aligns with your brand, engages your audience, and supports your larger marketing goals. Whether you’re looking to increase visibility, generate leads, or stay top-of-mind with your community, we create and manage campaigns that drive results. From content planning and creative development to ad management and analytics, we handle it all—so you can focus on running your business while we grow your online presence.
- Posting & Management
- Competitor Analysis
- Account(s) Audit
- Account(s) Optimization
- Content Calendar Optimization
- Weekly & Monthly Reporting
Website Design & Development
We design and build clean, fast, SEO-friendly websites that are built to grow with your business. Whether you need a simple landing page or a full multi-page site, we create custom WordPress websites that are easy to use, mobile-optimized, and conversion-ready. Every project is tailored to your goals—no bloated templates, no overcomplicated designs. From structure and copywriting to development and launch, we handle everything in-house and keep the process smooth. Your website is often the first impression people get of your brand—let’s make it a great one.
- Website Design
- Website Development
- Content Creation
- Website Maintenance
- UX Consultation
Digital Marketing Strategy
Without a clear strategy, marketing becomes guesswork. We develop tailored digital marketing strategies that connect your business goals with the right channels, tools, and tactics. Whether you’re launching a new business, pivoting your brand, or looking to scale, we help you get clear on what matters: your audience, your message, and your path to growth. From SEO and paid media to content, email, and web, our strategies are grounded in data, informed by experience, and built to deliver measurable results. We don’t do fluff. We do frameworks, execution plans, and real ROI.
- SEO Strategy
- Social Media Strategy
- Content Marketing Strategy
- SEO Content Strategy
- PPC Strategy
- Link Building Strategy
- Reputation Management Strategy
Website Auditing (SEO & UX)
Your website should work for you—not against you. Our comprehensive website audits examine both user experience (UX) and search engine optimization (SEO) to uncover what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s holding you back. We review site speed, navigation, mobile responsiveness, technical SEO, keyword targeting, and more. Then we deliver a clear, actionable report outlining exactly how to improve performance and increase conversions. Whether you built the site yourself or worked with an agency, our audits offer an expert second opinion that helps you unlock your site’s full potential.
- Social Media Audit
- User Experience Audit
- Website Health Audit
- SEO Audit
- Content Audit
Services for Individuals
Not every client is a company—and we love that. We offer one-on-one digital marketing services for individuals looking to launch a personal brand, grow a side business, start a nonprofit, or bring a new idea to life. From resume critiques and career planning to business plans and mentoring, we work closely with you to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence. You don’t need a big budget—you need the right partner. Whether you’re just getting started or need expert support, we’re here to help individuals build something great.
- Resume / Cover Letter
- Personal Branding
- LinkedIn Profile Development
- Professional Mentoring
- Social Media Marketing
- Entrepreneurship 101
- Interview Preparation
- Thank You Letters
- Professional Networking Skills
Content Writing
Great content isn’t just about sounding good—it’s about solving problems, building trust, and driving action. At Essey Marketing, we create high-impact content that’s optimized for search engines and designed to convert readers into customers. From blog posts and SEO-focused landing pages to product descriptions, city pages, and press releases, we tailor every word to match your brand voice and marketing goals. Our writing doesn’t just rank—it resonates. Whether you’re trying to boost organic traffic, strengthen your brand authority, or support your sales funnel, we deliver content that aligns with your strategy and speaks directly to your audience.
Paid Media Marketing
Looking to grow fast and get in front of high-intent customers? Our paid media services help you do exactly that. We design and manage ad campaigns across Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and other platforms—always focused on driving quality leads and real returns. Every dollar you spend should work hard for your business, and our job is to make sure it does. We take care of everything from audience targeting and keyword research to ad copywriting, testing, and reporting. Whether you’re looking for lead generation, brand awareness, or direct conversions, we make your ad budget go further.
- Paid Search
- Display Advertising
- Retargeting
- PPC Campaigns
- Social Media Advertising
Chris Essey's Business Philosophy: The Triple Bottom Line
At Essey Marketing, we believe businesses have a responsibility beyond profit. Guided by the triple bottom line—People, Planet, Profit—we measure success by the value we create for clients, communities, and the environment. This philosophy shapes every decision we make.
We commit 8% of our revenue to nonprofit organizations, with a strong focus on environmental causes. Despite the urgent need, only a small fraction of U.S. philanthropy supports conservation and sustainability efforts. We aim to help change that by partnering with organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife, preserving natural spaces, and building a more sustainable future.
We believe business is one of the most powerful tools for positive change—and we choose to use that power intentionally, one campaign and one contribution at a time.
Mentoring
Chris mentors and teaches students and early-career professionals through universities and industry programs, focusing on practical skills, strategic thinking, and confidence-building to help bridge the gap between education and real-world work.
Volunteerism
Through ongoing volunteer work, mentorship, and nonprofit partnerships, Chris integrates service into my business, supporting education, community initiatives, and organizations creating measurable, long-term social impact.
Environmental Conservation Scholarship
The Essey Marketing Environmental Conservation Scholarship is a $250 annual award supporting students pursuing environmental studies who demonstrate academic excellence, passion for conservation, and thoughtful solutions to today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Future Marketers Scholarship
Essey Marketing offers a $250 annual scholarship to support aspiring marketing students who demonstrate academic excellence, creativity, and a passion for helping businesses succeed through digital marketing.
Sustainable Pittsburgh Workplace Designation
Essey Marketing earned Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Silver-Level Workplace designation, recognizing our commitment to ethical operations, environmental responsibility, and sustainable business practices that strengthen communities and support a more resilient Pittsburgh region.
Allegheny County's Adopt-A-Roadway Program
Proud sponsor of Allegheny County’s Adopt-A-Roadway Program, supporting cleaner roads, environmental stewardship, and community responsibility through regular litter removal and local conservation efforts.
10 Parks, 10 Days:
Essey Marketing’s 10 Parks, 10 Days unites community volunteers to restore Pittsburgh parks, advancing the Triple Bottom Line by improving public spaces, strengthening neighborhoods, and protecting the environment together locally.
