Hosts Rachel Smith (from Rachel's List) and journalist and content writer Lynne Testoni are serving up weekly short bites of advice, tips and strategies, plus special guests, for freelancers who make a living from using their words. We're shooting for 15-minute episodes, but can't promise anything because we can both talk the leg off a chair.
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Stop the Scroll: Evelina Kaganovitch on How Clear Copywriting Lands Clients
49:26
49:26
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49:26This week, Rachel and Lynne chat with Evelina Kaganovitch, a high-conversion fashion copywriter, about the intricacies and strategies of freelance copywriting. Evelina shares her journey from sustainable fashion to copywriting and discusses the importance of clear messaging over using too much jargon. The conversation covers: Niching down in the fr…
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Sabrina Rogers-Anderson on how to niche down and charge more
47:32
47:32
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47:32In this episode, Rachel and Lynne delve back into the topic of niching down as a freelancer with Sabrina Rogers-Anderson, a health and fitness writer. The discussion covers the challenges and benefits of finding and committing to a specific niche, how to charge what you're worth, and managing finances. Sabrina shares her journey from generalist to …
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Nadine Nethery on how freelancers can retain customers
43:15
43:15
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43:15We all know that it’s so much easier to keep your existing clients rather than constantly hustle for new ones, so this week Rachel & Lynne are chatting with customer retention expert Nadine Nethery. Nadine, an audience-driven copywriter and retention strategist, discusses the importance of retaining clients over constantly hustling for new ones. It…
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Steven Lewis on using ChatGPT as your marketing brain
48:38
48:38
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48:38In this episode of The Content Byte podcast, hosts Rachel Smith and Lynne Testoni discuss the impact of AI on freelance writing and marketing with guest Steven Lewis. Steven, a seasoned journalist and copywriter, offers a deep dive into using AI, specifically custom GPT, to streamline marketing tasks for freelancers. He explains: the practical step…
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Juliet Rogers on how to get published and what makes a successful book
50:14
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50:14This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with book publisher and author's advocate, Juliet Rogers. Juliet talks about the publishing industry, what has changed over the years and how you can push through all the noise if you want to secure a book deal. She also shares: Stories of some of her biggest publishing successes, including to…
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Working creatively in a regulated industry with Amy Hadley
55:00
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55:00In this episode of The Content Byte podcast, Rachel and Lynne explore the unique challenges of copywriting in the beauty industry with guest Amy Hadley, a beauty copywriter and journalist. Amy discusses balancing creativity with stringent industry regulations, provides insights into the importance of visibility in finances for freelancers, and high…
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Nikita Morell on niche-ing down and being an expert
34:02
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34:02In this episode of The Content Byte podcast, Rachel and Lynne dive into the art of niching down in freelance copywriting with guest Nikita Morell. Nikita, a copywriting and messaging strategist specialising in architecture, discusses the value of finding a niche, the benefits of having a focused clientele, and her journey from big brand marketing t…
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Melissa Hoyer and the ultimate portfolio career
51:32
51:32
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51:32In this episode, we explore the world of freelancing with successful journalist and media commentator Melissa Hoyer. Melissa shares her career journey, from her early days in newsrooms to her success as a freelance professional. It's a great chat, covering the impact of social media on celebrity culture, and the challenges of maintaining multiple i…
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Behind the podcast - Lynne & Rachel talk about their partnership
51:03
51:03
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51:03 This week on The Content Byte, we have something a little different, but hopefully still useful. This episode was originally recorded as part of Austin Church's Growth Without Burnout Summit held recently. This virtual event was inspiring and useful and featured speakers from all across the world talking about how to grow a thriving freelance busi…
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Julia Newbould on keeping on top of your finances
41:49
41:49
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41:49In this episode Rachel and Lynne discuss the intricacies of freelance finances with Julia Newbould, an editor, journalist, and author with extensive experience in financial reporting. Julia shares insights on transitioning from spreadsheets to accounting software, the importance of financial literacy, and strategies for effective money management f…
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Lee Ellwood on editing and industry accreditation
46:09
46:09
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46:09This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with Lee Elwood, an accredited editor, content writer, and copywriter. Lee shares her freelancing journey, emphasising the value of professional networks and accreditation through the Institute of Professional Editors (IPED). During our chat, Lee talks about: Different types of editing, from cop…
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Jenny Valentish on teaching, writing books and the power of writing groups
38:44
38:44
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38:44This week Rachel and Lynne's guest is Jenny Valentish, a journalist, author, and writing coach, joins the conversation to share her career journey from fanzines to freelancing for The Guardian. She also talks about her new book, The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the House. Jenny dives into the importance of structured feedback in writing groups, the…
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Michelle Newell on moving from freelancer to thought leader
29:57
29:57
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29:57This week Rachel and Lynne are chatting with Michelle Newell, a narrative strategist based in Melbourne/Naarm who shares her expertise on using storytelling for content strategy and branding. During our chat, we talk about: How freelancers can transition into thought leadership – and why they should Why you need a unique point of view How to levera…
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Toby Schmitz on acting, writing for stage and screen and now a novel
33:19
33:19
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33:19This week our guest is Toby Schmitz, actor, screenwriter and now novelist. It's a fun chat, talking all things books, reading and writing. Toby shares insights into his upbringing in his family's second-hand bookstore, his motivations for writing, how his debut novel 'The Empress Murders' came about and why he chose such an amibitious work as his d…
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Special Q&A episode – answering questions from our listeners
20:50
20:50
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20:50This week we are trying something new - which might become a regular episode. We are answering questions from our listeners, using our years of experience and some of the knowledge learned doing this podcast for the last six years (thanks to all our amazing guests). This week's questions include: The ethics around including past clients in future a…
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Georgia Rickard on influencing, without being an ‘influencer’
47:06
47:06
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47:06In this week's episode, co-hosts Rachel and Lynne chat with Georgia Rickard, an award-winning journalist turned content strategist. Founder of the popular Georgia's Media Circle on Facebook (a great group for writers and PRs), Georgia shares her journey from being a travel writer to becoming the youngest magazine editor in Australia at 23. She disc…
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Dan Kaufman on the craft of writing and editing
50:32
50:32
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50:32This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with former journalist, now educator, writer and editor, Dan Kaufman, about something they all feel passionately about - the craft of writing and editing. We have a lot of feelings about this topic, as we chat about the essential skills freelance writers need, including: the importance of master…
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Michal Eisik on building a kickass portfolio website (and avoiding common mistakes)
47:53
47:53
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47:53This week Rachel and Lynne are chatting about freelancer websites with Michal Eisik, a copywriter and course creator who shares her expertise on creating effective websites and freelance portfolios. We discuss: the importance of having a well-designed, easy-to-update website the value of client testimonials, and how to manage clippings and case stu…
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Josephine Barrett on a career as a screenwriter
30:11
30:11
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30:11This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with successful screenwriter Josephine Barrett. Josephine is an acclaimed novelist, teacher and script writer, writing and editing successful TV shows, series and movies. She talks about: The difference between script writing and script editing How Home & Away helped her refine her craft How she…
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Sara Howard on taking your business Beyond Solo – how to grow and thrive
46:57
46:57
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46:57This week, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with content creator, agency owner and now author, Sara Howard. Sara has just released her first book, Beyond Solo, which is the guide she wished she had when she started her agency - all about how to grow your business and all the different models you can choose from. Sara chats about: What success looks like…
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Publisher Rob Johnson on how to pitch a story to an editor (and get a commission)
46:49
46:49
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46:49This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with one of their favourite editors, Rob Johnson. A former journalist and now publisher at Engage Media, Rob talks about what he values from freelance writers and why editors like himself rely on good pitches from their contributors to put a great publication together. He chats about: Whether it…
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Helen Dehen on how investing in your business can bring confidence and higher earnings
39:46
39:46
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39:46This week Rachel & Lynne chat with communications consultant and writer Helen Dehen, talking about her commitment to upskilling herself and the many courses she has done - which have helped to drive her business and profitability. During our chat, Helen talks about her early career in TV journalism and her move to freelancing when her twins were bo…
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Petra Buchanan on the challenges of women working in media and freelance reinvention
47:29
47:29
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47:29This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne chat with Petra Buchanan, an executive coach and mentor and company director with an international executive career in media, technology and business sectors. We talk about: the changing role of women within media what a non-executive director role involves being the only woman in decision-making rooms mis…
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Alana Wulff on freelance contracts (and why you can’t operate without them)
45:48
45:48
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45:48This week, we talk to agency owner and copywriter Alana Wulff about contracts: what they are, why you need them, and the stuff that can go wrong with and without one. Tune in to hear: How Alana started using contracts in her business and why Why a contract is a living document you need to keep updating (especially when something on a project goes a…
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Treasa Edmond on offering content strategy as a service
51:14
51:14
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51:14Have we got a treat for you! This episode with content strategist, business coach and consultant Treasa Edmond is full of gold for any freelancer wanting to move up the value chain and secure more high-paying clients. In our wide-ranging chat, Treasa talks about: The different between offering content strategy and a strategic consulting Which one i…
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