Special Q&A episode – answering questions from our listeners
The Content Byte
This 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 articles or commissions How to break up with a client How to pitch to a new editor or client How to avoid procrastination We hope you find this discussion helpful and thanks Tracey, Stephanie, Ros and Natalie for these questions. If you have...
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Georgia Rickard on influencing, without being an ‘influencer’
The Content Byte
In this week's episode co-hosts Rachel and Lynne chat withGeorgia 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 discusses: the importance of building a personal brand the challenges of making oneself visible online, and the evolving landscape of freelancing with the rise of AI She also talks about how and why she set up Georgia's Media...
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Dan Kaufman on the craft of writing and editing
The Content Byte
This 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 mastering the basics of writing the declining emphasis on subediting and what it means for journalism the need for critical thinking, attention to detail, and self-editing the use of AI in writing and why Dan hates it! Connect with Dan through...
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Michal Eisik on building a kickass portfolio website (and avoiding common mistakes)
The Content Byte
This 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 studies website analytics and user behaviour whether you should display pricing on your website Michal also provides insights into different approaches to using your website for lead generation, along with a list of must-have tools for freelancers ...
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Josephine Barrett on a career as a screenwriter
The Content Byte
This 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 secures regular work How teaching writing inspires and helps her to be a better writer How she makes a good living as a creative How she organises her day and maintains a disciplined approach to her work Connect with Josephine via...
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Sara Howard on taking your business Beyond Solo – how to grow and thrive
The Content Byte
This week, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with content creator, agency owner and now author, Sara Howard. Sara has just released her first book, , 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 – and why it means different things to different people Different agency models, from collectives to companies, to hybrid models How she created a positive culture at her agency Why she included a lot of tools and frameworks in her book to make it...
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Publisher Rob Johnson on how to pitch a story to an editor (and get a commission)
The Content Byte
This 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's ever acceptable to use AI in a pitch or a story How ideas from freelancers help him as an editor Why he welcomes a new angle on an old idea Why a writer needs to do some research How to create a good system for generating story ideas...
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Helen Dehen on how investing in your business can bring confidence and higher earnings
The Content Byte
This 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 born. She shares some of the courses she did in the the early days and how they positioned her to build a strong and successful freelance writing business. Helen talks about: The value of investing in professional development and networking How it...
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Petra Buchanan on the challenges of women working in media and freelance reinvention
The Content Byte
This 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 mistakes freelancers make common challenges facing women in media careers the importance of good mentors, and so much more Here are some of the links from our chat with Petra: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our...
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Alana Wulff on freelance contracts (and why you can’t operate without them)
The Content Byte
This 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 awry and you want to protect yourself in future) How having a lawyer in your back pocket can be very useful (and what to budget for) Actual contract horror stories and how they were resolved What happens when your client wants to you to sign their...
info_outlineThis week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with freelance writer, journalist, consultant and media trainer Sue White. As a highly successful freelancer, Sue is all about knowing your own worth and charging accordingly. She shares her career journey, why it's important to grow and adapt as time goes on and why you should never accept underpaid jobs.
She talks about:
- Where and how she finds her clients
- Why journalists need to do copywriting and content to make a good living
- How she secured a long-running column in prestigious newspapers
- Whether securing retainers works for freelancers
- How she set up a media training business with fellow journalist Ginger Gorman
- The systems and processes that work for her
Connect with Sue (and all the many freelance hats she wears) via her website: https://www.suewhite.com.au/
Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au
Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com
Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au
Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: [email protected] for the details.
Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co