Diary studies and making cords

The power of diary studies and learning to make natural cordage.

Here’s what I’ve been doing this week:

  • I analysed the findings from a content team diary study. I love this as a research method for content strategy and ops. I got so much great qualitative and quantitative data that I would never have got in this level of detail from interviews alone. Hats off to the team for being so diligent with their diaries.
  • I developed a service list for an SLA I’m working on and got feedback from the client on a call. This is starting to look pretty good now, and I think we’ve cracked some tricky issues around how to define services in a way that makes sense to stakeholders and shows the team’s expertise.
  • I had an interview for a piece of work I put a bid in for. I’m not used to being interviewed, as opposed to pitching or presenting a proposal, so this was outside my comfort zone and I have no idea how it went.
  • I developed a taxonomy and meta data model for a content design project. I love this kind of methodical, sense-making task and find a lot of flow in it. I also experimented with using Claude to map existing content against the taxonomy to stress test it – I think it worked fairly well, but I’m interested to see what the content team I’m working for think with their higher level of subject matter expertise.
  • I did a ton of work on finishing my new content audit resources, which launches officially on Monday. This was hard work – my current website desperately needs to be rebuilt (I also made a little bit of progress with this too).

Another busy week, where I feel like I made a lot of progress with important, meaningful things. However, I also got a humbling, just like I predicted in my weeknotes last week. Knowing it’s coming doesn’t make it any easier. I took a couple of hours off to get my mind off it, and learnt a new skill: making natural cordage. This is such a lovely, meditative craft and I can’t wait to do more of it.

Three coiled pieces of cord. They are different thicknesses and different shades of green and beige. They are made by twisting together lengths of rushes and raffia.

More posts

What I earn, what I spend, how I find work, and what I’ve learnt from 8 years as a freelance content strategist.

Stick figure with a brain leading a heart

Is your content team feeling reactive, overwhelmed, invisible? A content SLA is a practical tool and act of care that will make a difference.

A hand holding a pen checking boxes on a piece of paper

A practical guide to website content audits. Choose your approach, measure quality, and turn findings into actionable improvements.

Like this? Get more, straight to your inbox.

Sign up and get new blog posts emailed to you. Plus, get the 10 Things newsletter: articles, opinions, tools and more curated to spark ideas and make connections for anyone who’s interested in content with purpose. No more than four emails a month. Unsubscribe whenever you like.