About Tyler Hakes

 

Content Marketing Strategy Advisor & Founder of Optimist

Tyler Hakes headshot

When content feels too much like guesswork, I help B2B SaaS marketing leaders get clarity on what drives real impact & confidence in the execution.

I’ve spent nearly 20 years working in content marketing, across consulting firms, in-house corporate roles, and as a marketing leader inside a venture-funded startup.

Over that time, I’ve seen content go through multiple cycles of reinvention: from blogging and SEO fundamentals, to thought leadership and demand generation, to today’s AI-shaped, algorithm-driven landscape.

About a decade ago, I left my last full-time role to start Optimist. Since then, I’ve worked as a consultant and advisor to more than 100 B2B SaaS and technology companies, including brands like Gusto, Superhuman, ZoomInfo, and Semrush. My work has focused on helping marketing teams step back from day-to-day execution and make smarter, more confident decisions about their content strategy—what actually matters, what doesn’t, and where to focus limited time and resources for maximum impact.

My background is in journalism, and I’m a writer by trade.

As a strategist, I’m drawn to the big picture. Zooming out to see how all the pieces connect, then zooming back in to identify gaps, missed opportunities, and areas of misalignment.

One of my core strengths is perspective: working across many companies, industries, and growth stages gives me a unique vantage point into what’s working, what’s outdated, and where teams are quietly wasting effort without realizing it.

I’m focused on creating clarity.

Content marketing is crowded with jargon, trends, hot takes, and conflicting advice (especially now, as AI, SEO changes, and shifting buyer behavior add even more noise).

My job is to cut through all of that.

I help marketing leaders simplify complexity, focus on what truly drives results, and build plans that make sense for their specific business—not generic best practices.

Ultimately, my goal is to give marketing leaders confidence. Confidence in their strategy. Confidence in their priorities. And confidence that they’re investing their budget and energy in the right places

So you can stop second-guessing, tune out the noise, and actually sleep at night knowing your content program is grounded, intentional, and aligned with real business outcomes.

Recognition & Reach

I am an industry-leading expert on content strategy and content marketing. My words, ideas, systems, frameworks, and case studies have been featured by leading industry publications, podcasts, and events.