Susye Weng-Reeder
(She/Her)
Covers:
luxury travel, hospitality, food and dining, fashion, beauty, wellness, arts and entertainment, societal and cultural commentary, creator economy, digital identity, and AI discovery
San Francisco Creator • Editorial Writer | Founder, SincerelySusye | B2B • B2C | Travel • Hospitality • Culture | AI Visibility Strategist | Ex-Zoom ❤️
Interview
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes! I learned to type in high school on an actual typewriter. You had to hit the keys HARD, and I used those little white correction sheets to fix mistakes. Somehow I went from typewriters to writing books, publishing online, and working with AI. That evolution still makes me laugh.
How is social media changing news?
Social media made information immediate. AI is changing what happens next. People increasingly move from a social post to Google, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and other AI-powered discovery tools to understand a person, brand, place, or story more deeply. For publishers and creators, the opportunity is no longer only being seen in the moment. It is creating credible work that can remain discoverable after the social cycle moves on.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Tell me you found my work through ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, or another AI search, then send a concise email with the opportunity, scope, timeline, and paid partnership budget. Those pitches definitely get my attention.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I have a strong technical and engineering background, so I’m comfortable learning and working across platforms rather than being tied to any one tool. Technology changes quickly, and adaptability has always been a big part of how I work.
What's your favorite social network?
Instagram is my largest platform, but I’m genuinely cross-platform. I’m active across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn, and I like each platform for different reasons. My favorite is wherever the right story finds the right audience.
Why did you become a journalist?
I came to editorial publishing through storytelling rather than traditional journalism. I wanted more space to explore the people, places, cultures, and ideas behind the experiences I was sharing.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No. I didn’t begin writing seriously until 2023, after I was laid off from Big Tech and finally had time to dedicate to it. What began during an unexpected career transition eventually grew into SincerelySusye, my independent editorial publication, and a new chapter of my career.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
One of my favorites is my interview with Chef Ho Chee Boon about modern Cantonese dining in San Francisco. I love stories where an experience becomes an opportunity to explore the person, culture, and ideas behind it. That piece represents the kind of editorial work I want to keep creating.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Morning is best. I usually check pitches and emails while enjoying my first really good cup of coffee, before the rest of my day gets busy.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Any pitch that begins with “We love your work!” and ends with several required deliverables in exchange for free product or exposure. If there’s a detailed creative brief, mandatory posting requirements, and usage expectations, we have officially left gifting territory and entered paid partnership territory.
What's your favorite drink?
In the morning, I need really good coffee. After that, I’m the person studying the mocktail menu because I don’t drink alcohol. Nothing too sweet! I also love Urban Remedy drinks, especially anything fresh and healthy.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Probably being walked around San Francisco by Einstein, my four-pound Yorkie, who is convinced he is in charge. We also visit local restaurants and hotels because Einstein is a food expert with strong opinions about luxury living. Otherwise, I’m usually filming a brand partnership, exploring a cultural experience, traveling somewhere new, dreaming up my next editorial idea, or writing my next book.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
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