The most inspired writing comes when you can combine your passion with your job – and that’s exactly the case when it comes to one of our writers, Leonardo. Leo, as he is better known around here, joins his passion for writing and learning new languages to produce content for our Feeling Lucky Portugal and Best Reviews sites. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s our team’s biggest fan of soccer (or, should we say, football) and gets to write all about sports betting every week. In our latest installment of our interview series, we caught up with Leo to find out how he likes to spend his free time and his best piece of advice for aspiring writers.
What is your role in the clovio team?
I’m a content writer and producer for Feeling Lucky Portugal and Best Reviews. My work involves ensuring everything is up to date with the latest news, betting opportunities, and casino games for our gambling-related platform, as well as writing reviews about the different legal bookmakers. For Best Reviews, I review different products including VPNs, security suites, antiviruses, and more.
How did you get into writing?
Well… I always loved reading. So, the interest in writing came along and developed naturally over time. Another thing that always piqued my interest was learning new languages, so it was great that I could merge these two together and graduate from the University of Lisbon with a degree in Translation.
What do you consider the most important aspect of your role with clovio?
To a certain extent, I’m a perfectionist. While I always pay attention to deadlines, I never deliver a piece unless I’m 100% happy with it, and that often involves rereading, editing, and checking everything more than once. I think I can say that’s the most important aspect of my personal ‘work ethic’. Another aspect that I consider important is passion. Being a die-hard football fan, for instance, it’s great that I can express my passion for the game while writing about it.
What does your ideal work setup look like?
I love sleeping late but I love finishing my workday early even more, so I wake up and start working at a comfortable 8:30-9:00am time window. During the day I like to work around the house. A bit in the living room, a bit in my room, and sometimes even in the kitchen, believe it or not. Regardless of where I work, though, if there’s something that cannot be missing it’s music. Loud, heavy music. Oh, and my furry best friend Toby too, of course.
What do you like to do in your spare time and on weekends?
I like to spend my spare time as far away from the computer as possible. Doing some exercise really helps me to relax, whether it’s lifting weights at the gym or going for a run outside. I also try to spend as much time as possible with my girlfriend. She means the world to me and I’m happy to say we’re moving in together soon. 😊
On the weekends I like having no plans. This is usually when I can really sleep late… finally! Still, I often visit my father, stepmother, little sisters, or other family members.
I love to do a lot more than that of course (traveling, going to the beach, walking my dog, going to the stadium with friends, watching movies, playing games, etc.), but going to concerts is what really gives me a thrill. I’m a true, passionate Rock & Roll and Heavy Metal fan, and I have the time of my life when I can see my favorite bands here in Lisbon or elsewhere in Portugal.
You produce content for a variety of clovio’s brands. How do you keep up to date with the latest news and trends in such different topics?
While I enjoy football more than any other sport, I’m a general sports fan who likes to be informed about everything. During the workday I often check the national and international sports press for any relevant topics that can be covered on Feeling Lucky. Sometimes that pays off and we get a nice new article to publish and sometimes it doesn’t so we cover other online gambling options. It’s almost the same when it comes to Best Reviews content, even though that’s always a bit more selective and I often have to do some research on a specific topic.
What advice do you have for those who want to work in content writing?
Be patient and don’t push a stressful situation. Stimulating creativity is always easier said than done, especially if you write many articles in a row and work remotely. There will be days when you won’t be feeling particularly inspired, won’t be happy with what you’re writing, or when words just seem to insist on not pouring out of your mouth (or fingers). In these moments, take a break. Go for a run, walk your dog if you have one, walk your cat – walk your parrot if that’s what it takes. But take some time to yourself, get out of the house, and enjoy the sun for a while. When you come back your brain will be calmer, and you’ll surely have overcome the problem.
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