What was your first job as a journalist?
My first job as a journalist was contributing guest articles to digital marketing blogs. I wrote about SEO trends, search algorithm updates, and practical strategies for growing online visibility.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, I have. It was my uncle’s old Olivetti. I typed a few pages before realizing backspace doesn’t exist there. Great way to learn patience.
How is social media changing news?
Social media is speeding up how fast news spreads, but it’s also blurring the line between facts and opinions. It forces journalists to be quicker, but it also demands more responsibility to stay accurate and clear.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clark Kent. He’s not just Superman—he’s a journalist who always chased the truth. Even with superpowers, he used words to make a difference. That balance of impact and integrity stands out.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist means asking the right questions, challenging the easy answers, and giving a voice to people, data, and stories that matter. It’s about responsibility, not just reporting.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
— saw it during an SEO update frenzy. The memes that followed were painfully accurate and hilarious at the same time.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Short and specific. I prefer clear subject lines, a quick summary of the story angle, and why it’s relevant to my interests or audience. A link to supporting material is helpful, but keep it simple.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I use a mix of tools to stay efficient and organized:
Google Docs for writing and collaboration
Grammarly for editing
Notion for managing research and ideas
Ahrefs and SEMrush for SEO insights
WordPress for publishing
Google News and Feedly for tracking trends
LinkedIn for outreach and interviews
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Who do you wish followed you?
I wish Rand Fishkin followed me. His insights on SEO, content, and audience intelligence have shaped much of how I approach digital marketing and storytelling.
Why did you become a journalist?
Because I wanted to challenge misinformation, simplify complex topics like SEO and digital marketing, and make honest, research-based knowledge available to everyone — without the fluff.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes, I contributed as a writer. I focused mostly on tech trends, student opinions, and sometimes covered school events with a creative twist.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
A piece I wrote on “Why Most Businesses Fail at SEO and What We Do Differently at Brand Ignite” is one I’m especially proud of. It breaks down common SEO mistakes and shares real solutions based on experience, not theory. It connected with readers because it was simple, honest, and based on what actually works.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Stay curious, question everything, and don’t chase trends—chase truth. Build credibility by showing up consistently and letting your work speak louder than your opinions.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mornings between 9 AM and 11 AM, Monday to Thursday. That’s when I review pitches with a fresh mind and clear focus.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
A short, straight-to-the-point email from a founder who opened with:
“I’m not trying to impress you — I just need help fixing what’s broken.”
It was honest, focused, and showed they actually did their homework.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
A 2,000-word essay disguised as a pitch — no subject line clarity, no call to action, and completely irrelevant to my industry. I had to scroll six times just to figure out what they wanted.
What's your favorite drink?
Black coffee
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Most likely walking outdoors, thinking through ideas or untangling a strategy in my head usually with coffee in hand.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Wired. It consistently blends tech, culture, and innovation in a way that’s both informative and ahead of the curve.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That SEO is just about keywords and rankings. Most people overlook how much it depends on user intent, content quality, and long-term strategy—not hacks or quick wins.
