Phil Siarri is the founder and Editor-In-Chief of Nuadox.com, a media property covering innovation and entrepreneurship in various tech ecosystems such as AI, VR, Health tech, Fintech and more. Over the years, he has been part of the content production and digital marketing teams at startups and large corporations alike. Phil currently resides in Montreal, Canada.
What led you to start working in digital/media publishing?
Since an early age, I’ve always been a voracious reader and writing came naturally to me. In 2005, I earned a Master’s degree in Business Communication; it was around that time that I really strive to write at a more professional level.
Over the years, I’ve been part of many content and digital marketing operations including Xerox Europe and Deloitte Canada. I also contributed to a large music website specializing in urban music and definitely learned a lot from this experience: writing album reviews, conducting artist interviews, acting as community manager and other responsibilities.
In December 2016, I launched a new website called Nuadox.com, which covers innovation and entrepreneurship in various tech ecosystems. One of the main goals of this media property is to disseminate smart yet accessible content. The site’s offering is a mix of original, syndicated and curated items.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I try to get up as early as possible and consult various aggregated content lists. Because Nuadox has a “news” component, it’s critical I stay informed on recent developments in the tech world.
I maintain “publishing lists” religiously. One for the primary site, one for syndication purposes and another for our social media channels. Throughout the day, I write, edit, review submissions from contributors, take meetings and ensure the overall strategy is executed properly.
What’s your work setup look like?
My primary machine is a desktop PC with a solid processor and decent amount of RAM, which comes in handy for resource-intensive tasks such as video recording and image editing. I also have a laptop which I use if I’m on the go. Software-wise I use a variety of programs such as LibreOffice, Canva, GIMP, Zoho Social, Flipboard among others.
What do you do or go to get inspired?
I get most inspired by life experiences. If I get “stuck”, I’ll take a break from writing and editing; go to a local tech event, converse with my peers and exchange ideas. Slowing down and resting is very important, especially if you are involved in a high-volume operation.
What’s your favorite piece of writing or quote?
“Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.” by Mark Twain. This particularly rings true today. It’s easy to speak on your achievements, especially with social media being so omnipresent, yet producing concrete results is way more challenging.
What is the passionate problem you are tackling at the moment?
I would like to find new ways to simplify Nuadox’ content and making it accessible to as many people as possible. One thing I’ve been experimenting with is a microcontent strategy: basically delivery content in a very condensed form. So far production output and audience retention are on the upswing.
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Is there a product, solution, or tool that you think is a good match for your digital publishing efforts?
I think Slack is a terrific product for publishers. It provides a dedicated collaborative space for your teammates, contributors, advisers and other stakeholders around your content operation.
Any advice for ambitious digital publishing and media professionals just starting out?
I come from the school of “doing things with passion or not at all”. I also advise publishers to be as flexible as possible. Media is constantly evolving, you really need to keep an open mind if you want to succeed in this current climate. Also, don’t be afraid to request feedback from your core audience. It’s a tried and tested method which brings continuous improvement if done regularly.
