7 Questions for Our Content Manager Inês

At clovio we aim to produce the highest standard of content possible. Our Content Manager Inês is the one who’s tasked with leaving no stone unturned in making sure every detail is just right. It’s her responsibility to keep the wheels turning from the start of an idea to the final polished article. We asked her how she got into content management, and what advice she has for anyone who wants to work in the industry. We also found out about her ideal work setup while looking after two dogs, life in sunny Lisbon, and her love of travelling.

What is your role in the clovio team?

I am the Content Manager at clovio which means I do a lot of different things! I think the best way to sum what I do is: quality control. It’s my job to make sure our content is ready to be published (that means no broken links, perfectly-sized pictures and an error-free copy, among other things) is relevant to our audiences and is SEO-optimized so more people can find it.

How did you become a Content Manager?

My journey to becoming a content manager was… interesting! As soon as I finished college, I found myself in a serious economic recession trying to find my first job. Companies weren’t really hiring at the time and, in fact, a lot of people were actually being laid off. So, I decided to create my own job opportunities. I turned to the internet and started applying my one practical skill – writing – to the test. I picked up a few freelance writing jobs for travel agencies, fashion blogs, lifestyle websites, etc. Over time, I gained regular clients and I started taking on different roles besides “just” writing blog posts – I would help develop content calendars and strategies, work on social media management, write website copy, and help train new incoming writers.

On the side, I also created my own blogs and websites where I would test out different strategies and ideas. Turns out, all these different experiences ended up helping me gain the necessary skills to become a content manager!

What do you consider the most important aspect of your role with clovio?

Regardless of what I’m working on, paying very close attention to detail is the most important aspect of my job. Whether I’m doing keyword research or reviewing a piece of content before it’s published, I need to make sure that no stone is left unturned and that everything from the smallest details to the larger elements of our content strategy are perfectly aligned with our quality standards.

What does your ideal work setup look like?

I’m an early bird so I actually love getting started as early as possible in the morning. Usually by 7:30am I’m ready to start working. Most days I work from my dining table in the living room with my two dogs keeping me company. At lunch, I like taking a longer break to watch an episode of a favorite TV show and spend some time with my dogs outside. And about once a week I like working from somewhere outside my house – usually a café or a local library but it depends on what I feel like that day!

What do you like to do in your spare time and on weekends?

In my spare time, I love to read, spend time with friends and play video games – my husband and I are currently trying to finish Watch Dogs 2. On the weekends, I like to spend as much time outside the house as possible (I mean, I love working from home, but I need some time out in the world too!). So, I will usually go to the beach, to a local park, to the movies, or over to a friend’s house. Sundays are usually the day I save to spend with my family, and everyone gets together for lunch and afternoon tea at my grandma’s house here in Lisbon.

Then, about once a month, my husband and I take our two dogs down to the Algarve where we spend a lot of time out in nature and enjoying the sun.

You’ve lived all over the world, what made you decide to live in Lisbon?

So, I was originally born in Lisbon, but I grew up in Canada and the U.S. for about seven years. After returning to Lisbon at 18 years old, I spent a year studying abroad in Dublin, I spent a summer volunteering in India, and I lived for a few months in Mozambique.

After all these different experiences, I chose to come back to Lisbon and I’ve been living here for the last six years. I loved all the different places I lived, but ultimately Lisbon was where I wanted to live – for now, because who knows what the future holds 😉 This is where most of my family lives and Lisbon is such a beautiful, sunny city that it just made sense for me to be here. Still, I think traveling and getting to know different cultures is such a unique experience, so I’m not stopping that anytime soon!

What advice do you have for those who want to work in content management?

My best piece of advice to anyone who wants to achieve any goal is always: start now and gain as much experience as possible. For those looking to work in content management specifically, I think it’s important to gain experience working in different industries and taking on different roles. As a content manager you have to be able to see the big picture of a company’s digital presence while also having some very specific skills like SEO, social media management, writing, editing, etc. But anybody can do it as long as you put in the time and effort to develop those skills!