Aliff Azhar
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Summary
A digital experience creator and content strategist with over five years of expertise in AI-assisted development, SEO, and content marketing across multiple industries. I specialize in building Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, local payment gateway integrations, and developer tools using React, TypeScript, and Node.js. My unique approach combines traditional content marketing skills with cutting-edge AI workflows to create functional, user-centered applications. At the same time, as a licensed tour guide in Penang, I bring a multidisciplinary perspective to technology solutions, particularly in developing Malaysia-focused applications and tourism-tech innovations.
My journey into tech started from content writing and SEO, not a traditional computer science background. Over the years, I discovered that AI-assisted development could bridge the gap, allowing me to build real applications and developer tools. Today I combine my deep understanding of content strategy with hands-on development work, creating MCP servers, payment integrations, and web apps that solve real problems, particularly for the Malaysian market.
Experience
Founder, Digital Experience Creator - TechMavie Digital
September 2025 - Present | Penang, Malaysia
- Pioneering AI-assisted development approaches to create functional web applications and MCP servers for personal use and clients across multiple industries.
- Developing custom API access integrations, government data sources, and payment gateways, including integration with Stripe, GrabMaps map data, and Malaysian Open Data and GTFS Public Transport Data (data.gov.my).
- Building and maintaining open-source MCP servers that enable seamless integration between AI models and various data sources.
- Creating developer tools and utilities using React, TypeScript, and Node.js that enhance AI-assisted development workflows.
TechMavie Digital is my main vehicle for AI-assisted development work. I build MCP servers that connect AI models to Malaysian government data sources, public transport APIs, and mapping services. A key focus has been making local data more accessible to developers and AI systems, from real-time bus arrivals to open government datasets. Everything is built with React, TypeScript, and Node.js, using AI tools as a core part of my development workflow.
Licensed Tourist Guide, Digital Tourism Marketer - Tour With Alan
July 2025 - Present | Penang, Malaysia
- Building custom digital solutions including local payment integrations and MCP servers to modernize tourism service delivery in Malaysia.
- Leveraging local public transportation and cashless experiences to create sustainable and accessible experiences for Penang tourists.
- Utilizing data-driven approaches and API integrations to optimize tour planning and improve tourist experience through technology.
- Creating web applications and developer tools that bridge traditional tourism with modern digital experiences.
Tour With Alan is where my love for Penang meets technology. I'm building digital-first tourism experiences that leverage public transport, cashless payments, and real-time data. The goal is to show tourists an authentic Penang experience while using modern tools. Think digital itineraries with live bus tracking, integrated payment for local experiences, and AI-powered trip planning. Currently a licensed tour guide.
Founder, Content Writer & Blogger - Alan Copywriting Services
June 2019 - June 2026 | Penang, Malaysia
- Produced over 220 high-quality, SEO-optimized articles and 400 actionable content briefs that strengthened client brands across technology, HR, and cybersecurity.
- Designed high impact content marketing collateral such as white papers, eBooks, case studies, and infographics.
- Created and revamped web page copy for small business websites in Malaysia.
- Successfully managed remote client relationships using my own in-house client portal, Slack, Trello, and Google Meet.
- Collaborated with leading brands such as Frase, Hafele, and Boutir to develop targeted content marketing strategies.
This is where it all started. Over five years, I've produced hundreds of SEO-optimized articles and content briefs across technology, HR, and cybersecurity verticals. Working with brands like Frase and Hafele taught me how to translate complex technical topics into engaging content. I built and manage my own client portal for project management, which later inspired my interest in building full web applications.
Content Marketing cum Relationship Associate - Boutir
September 2021 - February 2022 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Understand benefits brought by Boutir to customers and targeted audience.
- Understand current customers' segmentation, behaviour, and acquisition channels.
- Created content for various online marketing channels.
- Managed to bring engagement to one of the Facebook ads I wrote, with 573 likes, 469 comments, and 169 shares.
Boutir is a social commerce platform based in Hong Kong. My role involved understanding e-commerce customer segments and creating content that resonated with Malaysian and Southeast Asian audiences. One Facebook ad I wrote generated 573 likes, 469 comments, and 169 shares, proving that understanding your audience matters more than big budgets.
Content Marketing Executive - Evolve & Adapt
March 2022 - August 2022 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Performed in-depth research for One Eye Deer's weekly podcast content.
- Edited audio & export podcast files to different formats.
- Produced & uploaded content marketing assets to different platforms and social media channels.
- Wrote engaging podcast show notes, social posts, and occasional blog posts.
- Grew One Eye Deer podcast downloads to over 2,000 since the launch.
At Evolve & Adapt, I wore many hats for the One Eye Deer podcast, from deep-dive research to audio editing and content promotion across multiple platforms. Growing the podcast to over 2,000 downloads from launch taught me about content distribution strategy and the importance of consistent, quality output across different media formats.
Freelance Writer - Upscale (formerly Idealseed Resources)
November 2021 - Present | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Authored over 100 high quality blog articles for publishing on the Idealseed website.
- Refined on-page SEO elements, resulting in better search engine performance.
- Produced website copy for client and Idealseed websites and social media pages.
- Consistently praised for delivering high-quality, on-brand content that aligns with Upscale's marketing goals.
Working with Upscale (formerly Idealseed Resources) has been a long-running collaboration spanning 100+ blog articles. The focus is on producing high-quality content that aligns with their marketing strategy while refining on-page SEO elements. This ongoing relationship has helped me develop a deep understanding of sustained content marketing over multiple years.
Content Creator - Frase, Inc
May 2022 - Present | Boston, Massachusetts
- Streamlined content creation processes by developing over 400 detailed content briefs, improving collaboration between writers and clients.
- Collated relevant research and information to be included in the client's content briefs.
Frase is an AI-powered content optimization platform based in Boston. I've streamlined their content creation pipeline by developing over 400 detailed content briefs that bridge the gap between writers and clients. This role gave me early hands-on experience with AI-assisted content workflows, which later influenced my interest in AI-assisted development.
Freelance Writer - Salt Tech Solutions
September 2021 - March 2023 | Penang, Malaysia
- Produced over 28 short blog articles (500 words).
- Optimized existing website content for search engine optimization (SEO).
- Proofread written, design, presentation, or printed materials for Salt Tech's content marketing.
Salt Tech Solutions is a Penang-based tech company where I produced short-form blog content and optimized their existing web content for SEO. This role reinforced my understanding of technical SEO and the importance of concise, scannable writing for technology audiences.
Freelance Writer - Hafele Malaysia
November 2021 - January 2022 | Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- Produced 5 eye-catching social media content for Facebook Ads per week that aligns with Hafele's brand goals.
- Planned out Facebook post content topics on monthly basis.
- Proofread written and design materials for Hafele's content marketing.
Hafele Malaysia is a global brand specializing in furniture fittings and architectural hardware. I created weekly social media content for their Facebook Ads, planned monthly content calendars, and ensured all materials aligned with their brand standards. Working with an established international brand taught me about brand consistency and content governance.
Freelance Writer - DappNews
September 2021 - December 2021 | Penang, Malaysia
- Produced on-brand articles, including blog posts and news articles related to cryptocurrency and blockchain.
- Oversaw the content calendar and work with the writers' team to develop and edit blog content.
- Ensuring that the blog content targets newbie audience in the crypto world, particularly in the Philippines.
DappNews was my introduction to the cryptocurrency and blockchain content space. I produced on-brand articles and managed the content calendar, working with a writers' team to target a newbie audience in the Philippines. This experience expanded my understanding of writing for niche, emerging technology audiences.
Website Manager - Getting It Strait
May 2021 - April 2024 | Penang, Malaysia
- Managed all aspects of web development and maintenance on the GIS's website to ensure constant uptime.
- Optimized existing content on the site for search engine optimization (SEO) through the site's backend.
- Undertook website migration from Wordpress.com to a self-host version of WordPress for better customizability, security, and performance.
- Incorporated Google's Core Web Vitals best practices for a seamless website experience.
As Website Manager for Getting It Strait, I handled everything from day-to-day maintenance to a major site migration from WordPress.com to self-hosted WordPress. I implemented Google Core Web Vitals best practices and significantly improved site performance. This was my first real experience managing a full web property end-to-end.
Content Researcher - Getting It Strait
December 2020 - August 2021 | Penang, Malaysia
- Pursued research for Instagram posts on a biweekly basis.
- Gathered relevant data of existing events that relate to the magazine's theme.
- Suggested relevant topics and events that can be included in the GIS's editorial calendar.
Before taking over website management, I started as a Content Researcher for Getting It Strait, a Penang-focused publication. I sourced topics and data for Instagram content on a biweekly basis, which built my skills in editorial planning and research methodology.
Founder, Proofreader - Alan Editing Services
Feb 2019 - Aug 2019 | Penang, Malaysia
- Proofread and edit documents for presentation.
- Proofread online articles for publication.
- Found and corrected all spelling and grammatical errors in all documents and drafts.
Alan Editing Services was my first entrepreneurial venture, a proofreading and editing service. Though short-lived, it gave me foundational skills in attention to detail, client management, and the discipline of running a one-person business. These skills carried forward into everything I've built since.
Distributed Proofreader (Volunteer) - Project Gutenberg
January 2019 - August 2019 | Penang, Malaysia
- Analyzed and compared the scanned page image and the corresponding OCR text on a single web page.
- Proofread the scanned text, and send back to the site.
- Double-checked the accuracy of data and highlighted the discrepancies wherever applicable.
Volunteering as a Distributed Proofreader for Project Gutenberg involved comparing scanned page images with OCR text and correcting errors. This painstaking work strengthened my eye for detail and contributed to the preservation of public domain literature, work that continues to benefit readers worldwide.
Community Volunteer - Moovit
Feb 2019 - Present | Penang, Malaysia
- Contributed and edited public transport routes and timetables available in Malaysia through the Moovit database.
- Fact-checked the public transport timetables and route updates from time to time to ensure accuracy.
- Public transport providers involved: Rapid Penang, Rapid Kuantan, myBAS Ipoh, & Perak Transit.
As a Moovit community volunteer, I contribute and maintain public transport route data for several Malaysian cities, including Rapid Penang, Rapid Kuantan, myBAS Ipoh, and Perak Transit. This hands-on work with transit data directly inspired my later development of MCP servers for Malaysian public transport.
Community Ambassador - Moovit
January 2020 - July 2021 | Penang, Malaysia
- Guided other Moovit contributors on contributing public transport data in Penang and Ipoh through the Moovit editor.
- Reviewed feedback from Moovit users for data improvement.
- Improved public transport data in a timely manner to ensure correctness.
As a Community Ambassador, I mentored other Moovit contributors on how to edit and improve public transport data in Penang and Ipoh. I also reviewed user feedback to identify data quality issues. This role taught me about community management, data governance, and the impact of accurate public transit information on everyday commuters.
Projects
Speed Up Website Performance for Seamless User Experience
Alan My Thoughts
- Undertook major steps to speed up my website, in line with Google's Core Web Vitals update.
- Conducted an in-depth performance review of my website before taking the next action steps.
- The overall performance of my website improved by 40%.
This project involved a comprehensive performance audit of my personal blog, followed by targeted optimizations aligned with Google's Core Web Vitals metrics. The 40% improvement came from image optimization, lazy loading, reduced JavaScript bundles, and better caching strategies. This hands-on experience with web performance became foundational knowledge for my later development work.
WordPress Website Migration
Getting It Strait
- Initiated the Getting It Strait (GIS) website migration plan and presented to other members of the team.
- Undertook the major site migration in less than 24 hours.
- The operating cost of the website (as of June 2021) remained the same.
- Unlocked the full WordPress customization capability by about 100%.
Migrating Getting It Strait from WordPress.com to a self-hosted WordPress installation was a major undertaking completed in under 24 hours. The migration unlocked full customization capability while maintaining the same operating cost. I handled DNS changes, database migration, plugin setup, and performance optimization. All while ensuring zero content loss.
Certifications
The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
Google Digital Garage • November 2020
Content Marketing Certification
HubSpot Academy • December 2020
Inbound Marketing Certification
HubSpot Academy • 2021
Certificate to Teach English for Speakers of Other Languages
myTESOL • Nov 2018
Certified Competent Manager (HIT3129)
Alpha International Training & Consultancy • 2021
My certifications span digital marketing (Google, HubSpot), English language teaching (myTESOL), and project management (Alpha International). Each certification was pursued with a specific practical application in mind. The marketing certifications directly supported my content strategy work, while the TESOL certificate enhanced my ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly.
Skills
Content & Marketing
Technical
Tourism
My skill set bridges three domains: content marketing (where I started), technical development (where I'm growing), and tourism (where I apply both). The technical skills, which are React, TypeScript, Node.js, API development, were all learned through AI-assisted development, proving that non-traditional paths into tech are viable and valuable. My content and tourism experience gives me a unique perspective on building user-centered applications.
Education
Bachelor of English Studies (BEST): English Language and Literature, General
Open University Malaysia • Penang, Malaysia • 2021 • CGPA 3.22
I completed my Bachelor of English Studies at Open University Malaysia while simultaneously building my freelance career. The open distance learning format taught me self-discipline and time management, skills that proved essential for running multiple businesses. My coursework covered everything from professional writing to entrepreneurship, providing a well-rounded foundation.
Coursework
My university coursework at Open University Malaysia covered a diverse range of subjects. From copywriting and advanced writing to entrepreneurship and professional ethics, each course had direct practical applications: writing courses strengthened my content work, communication courses improved my client relationships, and entrepreneurship modules informed my approach to running my own businesses.
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