A Day in the Life: Chené Koscielny

Chené, originally from South Africa, is a journalist who specializes in SEO content creation, content marketing and communications strategies for SMEs and start-ups. She moved to Barcelona in August in the midst of a full-blown pandemic and is trying to build a network, find clients and make friends—with a mask on!  She’d love for you to connect with her on Linkedin.

6:00 I am usually woken up by one of my two dogs—the white fluffy ones you see on every street corner in Barcelona—before stumbling to the kitchen for an espresso. I like to start my day while everything is calm. I plan my week—one of my goals is to network to find new clients. Easier said than done, when everything is moving online! But I’m trying. I also scan the day’s news headlines—a leftover habit from my journalism days.

7:30 I teach an online Vinyasa yoga class—my hobby—to students in Geneva. I started the class during the first lockdown while still living there and it’s a great way to stay in touch. It also energizes me for the day. I have since discovered YogaOne—a local yoga studio with great teachers and loads of space, where for the moment I can still attend classes.

8:45 I throw on a jumper and join my sons on their walk to the American School of Barcelona—while walking the dogs at the same time. 

9:30 I settle in front of my computer with a cup of rooibos tea and a bowl of granola for a Zoom update with my Geneva team where I still—for the moment—oversee the biggest online platform for English speakers in the city: thingstodoingeneva.ch. We plan the content for the week. 

11:00 I take a break to blitz the house. I hang up washing and pack the dishwasher, while listening to a podcast about digital content marketing trends.

11:30 Back at my desk, I start work on a new client brief—an SME who needs more clients. My first task is to find out all there is to know about the company: ideal clients, USP, brand messages, stories and goals. I do a content audit to identify gaps. I look at competitors and keyword searches. Next, I create an editorial plan and content calendar. I love the strategic part of my job—planning, creating, curating, managing and distributing content.

13:00 I meet up with five women for a COVID-friendly networking lunch at Sindur—an excellent Indian restaurant in Eixample. Food is my favorite way of exploring a city! I speak to a Turkish architect, Irish entrepreneur and Mexican caterer and we discuss potential collaborations. 

15:00 Back at my desk—I edit articles produced by freelance writers—checking the correct use of keywords, style and accuracy, as well as coming up with catchy and Google-friendly headlines. Coming up with a really good headline can take a long time!

16:00 It’s time for my online Spanish lesson. Spanish is not that far from French, which I speak well, so I already understand quite a bit. Confidence in speaking comes later, I hope.

17:00 The boys are back from school and we have a quick catch-up before they knuckle down to do homework. 

17:30 I have a live Instagram video chat with a client to promote her company’s content. Then, I spend time working on my own new website—watch this space!

19:00 We take the dogs for a walk in Collserola Park near our home. I LOVE being able to escape here. It reminds me of Cape Town, where I’m from, and the views from Table Mountain.

20:00 My husband prepares a quick dinner with help from the boys. We take turns, but he is a much better cook. This way I get to sneak in another 40 minutes of work.

21:00 Dinner time—chicken fajitas with all the trimmings and my husband and I allow ourselves a glass of Rioja. After dinner I Facetime my daughter, a first-year student in London. She has had a rocky start due to COVID. 

22:00 My husband and I watch a bit of TV. We are addicted to Borgen—the Danish political drama series on Netflix. At least one of us usually falls asleep before the end of the second episode.