At Intelligent Leads, content isn’t just created—it’s crafted with purpose. At the heart of this storytelling mission is Billy Strickland, a content creator whose passion and creativity shape the company’s voice. Whether through SEO-driven blogs, scripts, or even videos, Billy builds bridges between our brand and audience. Today, we step into his world to uncover what fuels his craft.
A Journey into Content Creation
We have sat away from Billy’s usual brainstorming corner—surrounded by sticky notes, sketches, and half-scribbled ideas—Billy reminisces about his journey to Intelligent Leads.
“I was made redundant in the summer of 2023,” he recalls. “Balancing a job search while moving houses with my partner made things challenging, so the job hunt took a backseat. But in November, Intelligent Leads swooped in at just the right time.”
Billy chuckles, remembering his interview. “I always said the localness of the job attracted me, and it went down well. But, in truth, it was the opportunity to write and build on skills I already had.”
Now, his role spans writing scripts, blogs, managing SEO, and collaborating across teams. “I like to think I’m creative for a good cause—to inform, educate, and advise.”
A Day in the Life of a Content Creator
Billy’s workdays start with a ritual: coffee. “I have to defrost in the morning—don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee,” he jokes.
He stays organised with priority lists but keeps things flexible. “To keep my creativity flowing, I take ‘sketch breaks.’ I love doodling—it’s part of my process. Teachers used to tell me to stop, but over time, I’ve learned it helps me focus.”
One particular doodle—a husky/alsatian hybrid with a cigarette in hand—has been evolving since lockdown. “Subconsciously based on Snoopy,” Billy laughs. “It started as a simple drawing and developed into something more.”
Intelligent Leads: A Sci-Fi Subplot?
When asked what kind of movie Intelligent Leads would be, Billy’s response is characteristically creative. “We’d be a subplot in a larger sci-fi movie. Think of an astronaut film—the main character is the hero, but we always cut back to the office on Earth. We’re important, just not in the limelight.”
A Passion for Storytelling
Billy’s favourite project? This very interview series he’s being featured in.
“I love giving people a voice,” he says. “It’s a project ‘for the people, by the people.’ Getting to know colleagues I wouldn’t usually interact with has been eye-opening.”
Creativity and Collaboration
Content creation isn’t always easy, and Billy admits to facing creative blocks. “I have a lot of harboured doubt about my work and in my personal life too. For example, it took me a while to come to terms with being able to sketch as part of my creative journey, but now I know it is just part of me and my processes. I like to think that the stuff I’m doing is quite good. The large amount of support I receive from the team and everyone around me helps in getting rid of any of my pre-existing doubt.”
Billy thrives on collaboration. “I love working on creative projects! As cliché as it is, two brains are better than one. ‘The back and forth with someone you’re creatively in tune with makes the ‘perfect serve.’”
We both laugh at the unintended tennis reference, considering neither of us knows much about the sport. Billy continues, “Collaboration translates in the final product. When working alone, you can get lost and blind to certain things but bringing in an outsider makes you see what you hadn’t before. It’s crucial.”
I think back to earlier in our careers here at Intelligent Leads—when Billy and I worked together to craft the perfect script for an animation project. Our minds work in very different ways, but we found a seamless way to create together, without clashes. Seeing the final project come together was one of my favourite experiences on the job.
If Fictional Characters Could Help at Work…
When asked which fictional character he’d bring to work, Billy immediately struggles. “I have to think about this one—it’s impossible!”
We laugh as he jokingly says, “Let me just get my scroll out.”
After some deliberation, he settles on three. “Number one: Bugs Bunny, the best cartoon character ever—calm, collected, always one step ahead. Number two: Homer Simpson. He wouldn’t be great for the job, but he’d be cool to hang out with. But only pre-season 10 Homer!”
We chuckle at the specificity of his answer before he finishes with, “And number three: James Dalton, played by Patrick Swayze in Road House. He dresses cool, is cool, and takes no messing.”
I remind Billy that the question was about bringing someone to help with content, not what character you want to be, we both agree the line is a little blurry.
Looking Ahead
Billy envisions a future where storytelling remains at the core of his work. “With my film background, I’d love to write scripts for short ads that tell Intelligent Leads’ story. That would be a dream come true.”
His love and passion for storytelling traces back to his childhood, spent with films, action figures, and comic books. Speaking of comics, Billy’s favourite? ‘Spider-Man: Torment’, written and drawn by Todd McFarlane. “He saved and reinvented Spider-Man at a low point for Marvel.”
As Billy discussed this comic, I found myself reflecting on something he had said earlier—how this interview series had allowed him to learn things about colleagues he never would have otherwise known. It struck me then that the same was happening to me in real time. Before today, I had never known the story of how Todd McFarlane reinvented Spider-Man, yet listening to Billy speak with such admiration and depth, I felt as if I had experienced it myself. It reminded me of the power of storytelling—not just in the content we create, but in the way we share pieces of ourselves with others. Billy’s words resonated on a deeper level, reinforcing how knowledge, passion, and connection can shape our understanding in ways we never expected.
Although a huge Marvel fan Jurassic Park takes the crown as Billy’s favourite film, he perfectly paints a picture to me of a specifically well-worn VHS tape that held both The Wizard of Oz and Jurassic Park. “I watched Jurassic Park when I was three,” he recalls. “My auntie had taped it on the same cassette as The Wizard of Oz,” we joke about how he had to sit through Oz first before getting to the dinosaurs. Despite being so young, the film left an indelible mark on him.
Billy is also deeply connected to Liverpool, his “second home.” He fondly recalls childhood visits to his great-grandmother, with his dad acting as an unofficial tour guide. “He used to drag me around the docks, giving me history lessons like a walking historian,” Billy laughs. “As a teen, I didn’t care much, but now I find myself telling my kids the same stories.” Liverpool’s charm, its history, and even those reluctant lessons from his dad have left a long-lasting mark, making it his favourite place, “a place that still feels like home.”
Beyond Work: Hobbies and Goals
Outside work, Billy enjoys gaming, drawing, photography, and thrift shopping. “There’s nothing like finding a good vintage denim jacket. I love denim!”
As for personal goals? “I live in the now,” he says. “But this year, I want to own my own and tackle some big to-dos. I procrastinate with DIY, but when I get things done, it feels great.”
And his ultimate goal? “To create the perfect home for my partner and kids. I just want to stay happy.”
The Man Behind the Content
Billy Strickland isn’t just a content creator; he’s a storyteller, a collaborator, and a passionate creative. His work helps Intelligent Leads stand out in a competitive field, and his artistic talents extend far beyond the office walls.
One day, we may see his sketches on the front pages of comic books, in animations, and, of course, in Intelligent Leads’ most engaging campaigns. Until then, we look forward to the stories he continues to bring to life.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Billy—a well-loved and appreciated member of the team.
