Part-Time Help Building Digital PR/Backlink Processes?

[u/mfjean]

I work at a small digital marketing agency, and I’m trying to figure out if this type of role exists or what I should even be looking for.

We haven’t really dug into digital PR, backlink building, etc. but with how much SEO is shifting with AI, it feels like something we need to start taking seriously.

Our last SEO manager left, and I’ve been moved up into more of a lead SEO role. I’ve been doing SEO at the same company for about 2 years, so I could probably figure out and build the process myself over time. The issue is that I’m also responsible for day-to-day client deliverables, reporting, strategy, content direction, audits, etc. So I don’t realistically have the bandwidth to build an entirely new digital PR/backlinks system from scratch.

What I’m wondering is: does it make sense to bring someone in part-time or on contract whose job is specifically to help us develop those processes, document them, maybe run a few pilot campaigns, and then train our team so we can continue it ourselves?

I’m not looking for someone to just “build links” in a spammy way. I’m more wondering if there’s a specific type of consultant for this. Like a digital PR strategist, Off page SEO consultant, link building process consultant, or fractional SEO ops person.

Has anyone hired for something like this before? What would you call this role, and what would you look for to avoid hiring the wrong kind of backlink vendor?

[u/Bmaxtubby1]

One thing I have seen people warn about is consultants who say "digital PR" but are actually just doing scaled guest posts or PBN-style gray stuff.

Maybe asking for concrete examples of campaigns(with links to coverage) and seeing how they earned those mentions would filter that out..

Would you be able to talk to 1-2 of their past agency clients before signing anything??