New things we are trying in our business in 2026
The Content Byte
This week, it's just Rachel and Lynne as they discuss changes they’re making in their freelance businesses in response to shifting client needs, including experimenting with new services and focusing on deeper client relationships. Rachel plans to consistently send a client newsletter, launch a formal email marketing offering, and pitch LinkedIn thought-leadership services built from interviews. Lynne is going deeper with existing tech tools (including AI features), running her business more fully through digital systems such as calendars and Trello, and upselling blog posts and case studies...
info_outline
Lessons from entrepreneurs and how it applies to freelancers - with Bernadette Schwerdt
The Content Byte
This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with friend of the pod, Bernadette Schwerdt, a copy coach, comms expert and ghostwriter, to discuss how writers can build valuable, scalable businesses and multiple income streams in the age of AI. Bernadette explains why demand is rising for copywriting and ghostwriting as CEOs and thought leaders invest in personal branding and content that connects audiences to the person behind the business, including books as “sales reps” and long-term content engines. Drawing on interviews for her new book Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs, she outlines...
info_outline
How to find opportunities in print media - with Sarah Tayler
The Content Byte
This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with Sarah Tayler of Tweed Coast Media about producing and reviving custom publications, sharing her thoughts on why print is far from dead when it’s driven by business goals and integrated into the wider customer journey. Sarah shares how she helped Continence Health Australia transition and grow its magazine Bridge by focusing on process over product, moving digital hosting to the organisation’s own site to improve user experience and cut costs, and testing distribution strategies — including scaling from 500 copies to 8000 before pulling back...
info_outline
How freelancers can find work through referrals - with Sarah Hubbard
The Content Byte
Rachel and Lynne speak with Sarah Hubbard, author of The Intentional Networker, about using referrals and relationship-based networking to find new clients. Sarah shares her MAPP framework (mindset and intention, authentic presence, precise messaging, purposeful follow-through) and explains how to systemise networking with simple tracking (even spreadsheets), an A/B/C contact system, and regular follow-ups. She describes using AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude to capture event notes, create templates, and update a CRM, and offers strategies for introverts such as preparing in advance,...
info_outline
How to make time to work on your freelance business
The Content Byte
This week Rachel and Lynne are responding to a question from listener Stephanie about how to make time to work on your freelance business. It's a bit of a choose-your-own adventure because we have such different work styles and systems. Rachel uses a mix of a bespoke paper diary (Creator’s Friend), Outlook, Google Keep, batching, and Friday “work on the business” time, plus automations in Moxie (forms, pipelines, calendar booking windows, templated replies, and auto-created Google Drive folders). Lynne has a paper-free setup using Trello, an electronic calendar, “salami tactics”...
info_outline
Creating customer-centred content with Mat Patterson
The Content Byte
This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with freelance writer Mat Patterson (morehumancontent.com), who argues small and medium businesses and freelancers should lean into being personal, flexible and customer-close rather than copying big-company systems and jargon. Mat shares his path from web design to customer support to writing, explaining how support work builds communication skills through fast feedback. His work includes newsletters, podcasts and articles for customer-centric SaaS and customer experience companies, focused on clearer, more engaging messaging. We also chat about: ...
info_outline
The systems freelancers need to succeed - with Leticia Mooney
The Content Byte
This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with freelance business coach Leticia Mooney about building an “engine room” of systems across customer experience, sales and finance so clients feel safe, payments are smoother, and work is easier to deliver. Leticia says freelancers often skip systems because they assume their work is unique, but writing includes research, analysis, delivery and communication, all of which benefit from good processes. It's a great discussion about how to make your business run better and free yourself up for creative work. So many tips, including the PDCA...
info_outline
How to create your own career luck with Mel Barfield
The Content Byte
This week Rachel and Lynne discuss luck, visibility, and career resilience with guest copywriter Mel Barfield, managing partner at Copy or Die, host of the Indie Business Club podcast, and a Freelancer magazine columnist. Mel shares her career shift into freelancing after moving while pregnant, how expectations and mindset can block opportunities, and why “luck” is largely created through action, relationships, and optimism. She talks about creating and noticing chances, acting on hunches, reframing setbacks, and expecting good outcomes. Practical tips include breaking big goals into...
info_outline
How to make money through TikTok and Instagram with Keenya Kelly
The Content Byte
This week Rachel and Lynne discuss how freelancers can use Instagram and TikTok to make money and win clients with guest Keenya Kelly, a social media strategist known as the “TikTok Queen,”. Keenya has over 500,000 TikTok followers and has generated more than $4 million through short-form video. She explains how TikTok shifted marketing toward entertaining, educational, scroll-stopping videos (often under a minute), speeding up the like-know-trust factor and purchasing decisions. She recommends prioritising consistency (at least weekly), creating stronger content rather than posting...
info_outline
Theresa Miller on speaking up and the opportunities it brings
The Content Byte
This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne discuss how public speaking can help freelancers become more visible and attract clients, despite battling nerves. We are joined by media trainer and journalist Theresa Miller to talk about her book Speak Up on becoming a successful presenter and media spokesperson. Theresa shares why knowledgeable people often stay quiet, why it matters to “speak up” in an era of misinformation and AI fakery, and how to manage those all-too-common nerves. She outlines practical strategies including researching your audience, tailoring your message to their needs...
info_outlineThis week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne are joined by Vivienne Pearson, who specialises in Opinion Writing. Vivienne talks about:
- What makes opinion writing different from regular journalism
- How and when to pitch to editors
- The topics that work for opinion writing
- Whether you can make a living from this style of writing
Find out more about Vivienne at https://viviennepearson.com/
Information about her course with the Australian Writers Centre is here: https://www.writerscentre.com.au/store/courses/opinion-writing/
Don't forget... If you're an Aussie freelancer, please take our new pay rates survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6CSXSNV
Find us:
Rachel's website https://rachelsmith.com.au/
Lynne's website https://lynnetestoni.com/
Rachel's List https://rachelslist.com.au/
As always, thanks to Rounded https://rounded.com.au/ for sponsoring The Content Byte!
Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co