I build content programs that make complex subjects clear.
I’m Sean Ludwig, a content leader with 15+ years turning complex policy and technology into stories people can use. I build editorial programs that grow audiences and use AI to make production faster, with editors guiding the work.
Explore my work ↓Editorial strategy. Clear storytelling. Smarter workflows. Measurable growth.
Building the system behind the stories.
Editorial strategy, production workflows, and audience growth.
Growing the audience for video
The challenge: Help more people discover and watch the Chamber’s video content.
What I built: I worked with product and engineering on the Chamber’s video content program, connecting editorial work with the experience of finding and watching video.
The result: Video page views doubled, and YouTube views tripled.
Bringing AI into how editorial gets made
The challenge: Demand for content kept growing across tax, technology, health care, energy, and other policy areas, each with its own audience.
What I built: I led the adoption of Jasper and proprietary AI tools and rebuilt the editorial production workflow around them.
The result: Editorial production time dropped by about 50%, and quality held.
Building an award-winning publication from zero
The challenge: Ryan Cooper and I wanted a publication that covered barbecue seriously, including the pitmasters, the business, and the culture.
What I built: We built the editorial voice, repeatable formats (profiles, Q&As, event coverage, and news), and a growth strategy across email and social. We also built a network of five contributors.
The result: 4,000+ subscribers and three Best BBQ Publication awards from the National Barbecue and Grilling Association. Our book with Harvard Common Press comes out in May 2027.
Stories worth spending time with.
Selected reporting, features, and conversations across business, technology, and food culture.
Blood Bros BBQ’s Terry Wong on Colon Cancer, Community, and Getting Checked
A candid conversation with the Houston pitmaster about surviving cancer and speaking up for his community.
Read the story ↗NATO Forum: Business, Government Discuss Making World Safer
Translating defense policy, industrial cooperation, and emerging technology into an accessible account of a historic NATO forum.
Read the story ↗Why Businesses Are Taking on the Role of Educators
A workforce feature on how employers are expanding access to education and skills training.
Read the story ↗Rhineland Region Transforming Into Manufacturing and B2B Startup Hub
An exploration of the universities, founders, and industry connections shaping a German startup ecosystem.
Read the story ↗NYC startup Floored makes 3D real estate modeling surprisingly awesome
On-the-ground coverage of a startup bringing immersive 3D models to commercial real estate.
Read the story ↗In likely march toward IPO, Eventbrite doubled revenue in 2011 (exclusive)
Exclusive reporting on the ticketing company’s growth and IPO ambitions.
Read the story ↗A reporter’s curiosity.
An editor’s judgment.
My career began in technology reporting at VentureBeat and grew into editorial leadership and content strategy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I also co-founded The Smoke Sheet, a publication devoted to American barbecue.
I bring that mix of reporting, editing, and audience building to stories and content programs that help people understand what matters.
More about my background ↗Beyond the byline.
The Smoke Sheet is where I put audience building, editorial development, and independent publishing into practice.
The Smoke Sheet ↗Let’s make it matter.
For full-time leadership roles, fractional engagements, and editorial projects.
Get in touch ↗