The Content Byte
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 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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Nicole Webb - journalist turned media expert and book publicist
03/24/2024
Nicole Webb - journalist turned media expert and book publicist
This week Rachel & Lynne are chatting with media expert and publicist Nicole Webb. Now based in Singapore, Nicole has had a diverse and exciting career and she talks about her new service of book publicity, the challenges of modern publishing and how it came about. In our chat, we cover: Nicole's career as a TV journalist, presenter and producer Travelling around Asia and working remotely Writing her own book and using her contacts to publicise it How this developed into a new service What new authors need to know about publicity The importance of maintaining contacts Nicole's website is: And, don't forget that we have just announced the dates for the 2024 The Content Byte Summit. Sign up for updates for the Summit (or snap up the early bird tickets) at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), 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: for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Working with freelancers with Rounded's Grant McCall
03/17/2024
Working with freelancers with Rounded's Grant McCall
This week Rachel and Lynne are chatting with the founder and head of product at Rounded - our sponsor. A former freelancer, Grant tells the story of how the company was founded and what it's like dealing with sole traders as customers. His inside tips are valuable! During our conversation, he talks about: How businesses often ignore the potential of freelancers as customers How he created a product he needed - and then took it to the next level Common mistakes freelancers make Why multi-disciplinary freelancing is the future The freelancer skills we will need in 2024 and beyond Grant's company Rounded (), is our sponsor and is 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: for the details. Connect with Grant on LinkedIn: And, don't forget that we have just announced the dates for the 2024 The Content Byte Summit. Sign up for updates for the Summit (or snap up the early bird tickets) at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Specialising in email marketing with Eman Ismail
03/10/2024
Specialising in email marketing with Eman Ismail
This week Rachel & Lynne are super excited to have Eman Ismail on the podcast. Eman is a specialist in email marketing, which is such a growth industry and she shares her tips, tricks and the story about how she ended up working in this niche. During our conversation, Eman talks about: What it takes to create a great email campaign Mistakes that business owners and copywriters often make when creating email campaigns How to not sound sales-y in your emails Using storytelling in emails to create more powerful and memorable campaigns Where she finds her clients Listen to Eman's amazing podcast and connect with her by visiting her website: And, don't forget that we have just announced the dates for the 2024 The Content Byte Summit. Sign up for updates for the Summit (or snap up the early bird tickets) at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), 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: for the details.
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Web 3 and content marketing with Bec Haddad
03/03/2024
Web 3 and content marketing with Bec Haddad
This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne are looking to the future - and helping us all to understand what's in our pipelines. We are chatting with writer and content creator Bec Haddad, about her career and Web3, which is the next iteration of the Internet. So fascinating! We talk about: What Web 3 is and how it relates to content marketing The tools you need to understand it How it affects freelancers How to prepare yourself for this new frontier Working with agencies Find Bec through her website: And, don't forget that we have just announced the dates for the 2024 The Content Byte Summit. Sign up for updates for the Summit (or snap up the early bird tickets) at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), 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: for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Successful freelancers: stylist, writer and photographer Jessica Bellef
02/25/2024
Successful freelancers: stylist, writer and photographer Jessica Bellef
This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne chat with a freelancer who keeps adding more skills to her arsenal - stylist, writer and now photographer Jessica Bellef. Specialising in lifestyle and interiors, Jess has carved out an enviable career that includes working with beautiful things and creating amazing work, including a beautiful coffee table book. Jess talks about: How beginning as a visual merchandiser influences her work Discovering writing later in her career How relationships help to build a pipeline of steady clients/editors Why she wanted to branch into photography How her book came about and its long journey to publication Connect with Jessica at And, don't forget that we have just announced the dates for the 2024 The Content Byte Summit. Sign up for updates for the Summit (or snap up the early bird tickets) at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), 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: for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Successful freelancers: Julie Lee and the Medium Rare story
02/18/2024
Successful freelancers: Julie Lee and the Medium Rare story
This week Rachel and Lynne are chatting with successful freelancer (and tree-changer) Julie Lee. Julie was one of the first employees at Medium Rare Content, a highly successful content agency with lots of high-profile clients. Julie talks about her years with Medium Rare - what it was like building up the business and working with clients as well as some of the secrets of the agency's success. She talks about: Moving from consumer magazines to content work What makes a successful freelancer Offering strategy to clients What she's learnt as an editor and then moving on the other side How she's found balance in her life and career since moving to Port Macquarie Connect with Julie through LinkedIn: And, don't forget that we have just announced the dates for the 2024 The Content Byte Summit. Sign up for updates for the Summit (or secure an early bird ticket) at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), 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: for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Why blogging isn’t enough for SEO - with Abbey of the Duo Collective
02/11/2024
Why blogging isn’t enough for SEO - with Abbey of the Duo Collective
This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne revisit SEO. We think that it's been a little overlooked lately with all this talk about AI and it's so important. Our guest this week is Abbey, half of marketing experts, the Duo Collective. In a wide-ranging chat, Abbey talks about: Domain authority with search engines and what that means Keywords, search traffic and backlink strategies And why you absolutely need a backlink strategy plan to supplement your content strategies in order to grow with search engines It's a great way to understand new developments in SEO and to demystify it all. So much to learn! Connect with Abbey & Courtney: Duo on Air: Website: Instagram: Email Newsletter (Tuesday Tips & Sips & SEO Squeeze): DIY SEO Course Waitlist: 4 FREE Ways To Find Keywords: And, don't forget that we have just announced the dates for the 2024 The Content Byte Summit. Sign up for updates for the Summit at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), 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: for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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6 types of collaborations freelancers can do to get work
02/04/2024
6 types of collaborations freelancers can do to get work
This week's it's just hosts Rachel and Lynne as we get back into the swing of things - and set ourselves up for a new year of freelance work. And, as the saying goes, it's not what you know, it's who... so this week we are talking about collaboration. We believe in an abundance mindset - that there is enough work to go around and that it's good to share tips and tricks on securing solid, well-paying gigs. We share our tips (and real-life examples) of how collaborations with other creatives can bring you extra work. We talk about: Collaborating with a web designer who reached out to Rachel as he needed a regular copywriter to pass work onto Collaborating with a graphic designer who thought of Rachel when she needed a sub-editor for a magazine project Collborating with a copywriter in a private FB group; she sub-contracted work to Rachel after we built up a relationship Lynne collaborates with other design writers as she has passed on work to them when I am at capacity. Working with photographers in the interior space to give each other work Creating content with 2-3 of her clients in the niche so everyone shares the cost and doubles the reach. And, don't forget that we have just announced the dates for the 2024 The Content Byte Summit. Sign up for updates for the Summit at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), 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: for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Specialising your way to higher rates with Abi Prendergast
01/21/2024
Specialising your way to higher rates with Abi Prendergast
This week Rachel and Lynne have a special guest talking about how nicheing down (or specialising) can bring you higher income clients and a more successful and resilient business. Funnel strategist and conversion copywriter Abi Prendergast shares her story on how she found her niche of working with course creators and why specialising works for her. We talk about: Why she loves the 'laptop lifestyle' Working with Copyhackers and how it set her up for success Going viral in the copy world Why she loves working for herself How solving problems for clients is the key to success Why you should work on your business regularly The skills you need for 2024 Connect with Abi here: or via LinkedIn: Sign up for updates for the 2024 Content Byte Summit at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), 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
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6 things freelancers need to start doing on LinkedIn in 2024 with Adam Franklin
01/15/2024
6 things freelancers need to start doing on LinkedIn in 2024 with Adam Franklin
And we are back for 2024 - and with such a useful episode! This week Rachel & Lynne chat with LinkedIn expert Adam Franklin on how to use this super-helpful and useful social media tool to get more work and improve your visibility. He shares his top 6 tips on starting the year by optimising your LinkedIn profile and ways that you can make the medium work for you (and it's much easier than you might think!). Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: Bluewire Media can be found at: Sign up for updates for the 2024 Content Byte Summit at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), 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: for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Our takeaways from 2023
12/17/2023
Our takeaways from 2023
As the year draws to a close, hosts Rachel and Lynne chat about our favourite episodes of the year - and some of the things we have learned from our marvellous guests. We chat about: What we learned from organising our first Summit Our favourite guests from the year Keynote speaker Ed Gandia's concept about 'moving up the value chain' in our content offering What we love about podcasting The powerful lessons we learned from Emma Grey's novel about grief Charlotte Wood's chat about her novel and how an award helped her to create a viable career in fiction writing Melanie Padgett Powers' podcast with her Summit takeaways is here: Sign up for updates for the 2024 Content Byte Summit at our website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded ( ), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Freelance work in podcast producing, with Kim Kerton from Unemployed and Afraid
12/10/2023
Freelance work in podcast producing, with Kim Kerton from Unemployed and Afraid
This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne chat with Kim Kerton of Unemployed and Afraid, talking about the growing opportunities in podcast production. We chat about all thing podcasts, including: Owning a business from a young age Creating branded podcasts How do you serve an audience Realism in storytelling for brands Being prepared for change as your business grows Resources she mentions: Podcast Workers Aust - Her two favourite resources for podcast industry insights: PodNews Sounds Profitable Connect with Kim: The Unemployed & Afraid pod: Kim's website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Using Copywriting to Attract Leads with Krystle Church
12/04/2023
Using Copywriting to Attract Leads with Krystle Church
This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne chat with copywriter and coach Krystle Church, who is living her best life in tropical Mauritius doing work she loves. We chat about all things copywriting, including: Writing great copy The best courses to learn about copywriting Creating great landing pages Email marketing Being a digital nomad Mistakes she made in her early days of running the agency Connect with Krystle on Instagram: or through her website: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Clare Fletcher on balancing a part-time comms role with writing and events
11/26/2023
Clare Fletcher on balancing a part-time comms role with writing and events
This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne chat with communications professional and novelist Clare Fletcher. Clare talks about juggling all her roles, how she found time to write her novel (and what got her started). We chat about: The difference between writing commercial fiction versus literary fiction How a course helped her start writing Why she started her own podcast And all about her deep love of rom-coms Find Clare on Instagram: Listen to Clare's podcast (with Karina May), That Rom Com Pod Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Freelance writer Alley Pascoe on long-form features and ghostwriting
11/19/2023
Freelance writer Alley Pascoe on long-form features and ghostwriting
This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne chat with writer Alley Pascoe. Alley has just completed her latest ghostwriting project, My Mother's Eyes with Shanelle Dawson. She talks about ghostwriting, working with celebrities and the special bond she shares with her authors, as well as how she maintains a successful freelance career as a feature writer. We chat about: How she secured her first ghostwriting project How to channel someone else's voice Dealing with the publicity machine Long-form feature writing Why she loves living in Darwin and how she works remotely Connect with Alley on Instagram: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Tips for new and veteran copywriters by copywriter, trainer and podcaster Bernadette Schwerdt
11/12/2023
Tips for new and veteran copywriters by copywriter, trainer and podcaster Bernadette Schwerdt
This week, Rachel and Lynne chat with Bernadette Schwerdt, one of the legends of the copywriting world. Bernadette is also a trainer of new copywriters and in this valuable episode, shares her copywriting tips on what you need to know if you want to add copywriting to your freelance arsenal. We chat about: Writing persuasive copy and how it's a mindset The sales journey and how copywriting fits in How to use AI tools in a constructive way Mistakes new writers make Essential courses and skills that can keep copywriters up to date and relevant Connect with Bernadette and find out about her courses at Copy School: Her own website is: Bernadette's podcast is: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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How to put yourself out there (even if you’re a die-hard introvert), with Carlii Lyon
11/05/2023
How to put yourself out there (even if you’re a die-hard introvert), with Carlii Lyon
This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne talk with branding expert Carlii Lyon about how to increase awareness of you and your work, without making you feel uncomfortable. Carlii chats about: Why personal branding is important How it can grow your business How to reduce the 'ick' factor How introverts can survive networking functions How feeling confident comes after 'confident action' Carlii's website is: Her LinkedIn page is: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Social media for freelancers: Tips for getting leads and building your business with posts that work
10/29/2023
Social media for freelancers: Tips for getting leads and building your business with posts that work
This week Rachel & Lynne are chatting with Anfernee Chansamooth, a marketer and social media guru, talking about how you can use social media to build your business and get more leads. We chat about: His favourite social platforms for freelancers Mistakes that freelancers make Why targeting a broad market doesn't work How consistency pays off on social media How much you should share on your social channels Anfernee's website is here: He has compiled a bonus page of resources for listeners of The Content Byte here: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Financial writer and freelancer Michelle Bowes on how to run a successful freelance business
10/22/2023
Financial writer and freelancer Michelle Bowes on how to run a successful freelance business
This week Rachel and Lynne have successful financial journalist Michelle Bowes on the podcast to talk about creating a business mindset with your freelance business. Michelle has successfully juggled the worlds of words and money and she shares her tips on common mistakes freelancers make, how to earn more and how to cut down your business costs. She talks about: Finding confidence to talk about money How to quote and invoice without fear How to set up your freelance business the right way Superannuation made easy Dealing with contracts Running financial literacy events for young women Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: or go to her website: The Money Queens website is Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Charlotte Wood on her new novel, being a successful author and having her work adapted for the stage
10/15/2023
Charlotte Wood on her new novel, being a successful author and having her work adapted for the stage
We are back after a short break - and we have a great episode to share today. This week, Rachel and Lynne chat with award-winning novelist Charlotte Wood about the ups and downs of writing literary fiction. Charlotte shares her early days as a writer, including how she supplemented her income before she found success. We chat about: What literary awards mean and if they help your career Choosing the right publishing team Working with difficult topics Going on the publicity trail for your books Social media for novelists Having her work adapted for the stage. It's a fascinating chat and a wonderful insight into life as a successful novelist. Charlotte's website is or follow her on Instagram here: Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded ( ), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Key learnings from The Content Byte Summit
09/24/2023
Key learnings from The Content Byte Summit
This week, Rachel and Lynne are recovering from our first-ever The Content Byte Summit. It was a whirlwind of two and a half days of learnings, connections and aha-moments. This week, before we both take a break, we are going through our favourite tips and tricks from all the speakers and panels - and what we are taking to our own freelance business. We talk about: Ed Gandia's keynote talking about how to charge for the value that you add to your clients - not strategy, but advising The panel with Lindy Alexander and Jennifer Goforth Gregory on escaping the low-pay cycle Hearing from editors and content chiefs about what they want from freelancers Racquel Collard’s presentation that covered automating processes, along with Jac Taylor in the Business of Freelancing panel - how important it is to get the right systems and make them talk to one another. Susan Reoch in giving a personality to AI apps and making you think totally differently about incorporating AI into your workflow. We also loved the connections between the attendees and seeing our community catch up. Many people commented on how lovely everyone was, and how welcoming. We can highly recommend a detailed summary of the Summit through the excellent Melanie Padgett Powers, and her Deliberate Freelancer podcast. Melanie watched the Summit virtually from Washington DC and has some great thoughts and comments: Lynne and Rachel are going to take a break for a couple of weeks now to recover, but the podcast will be back on 16 October. Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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The Content Byte Summit - why you need to be there!
09/04/2023
The Content Byte Summit - why you need to be there!
This week, in the midst of last-minute preparations for our exciting event - The Content Byte Summit – Lynne and Rachel take you behind-the-scenes for a sneak peek into some of the presentations and panel chats that are occuring during the two days of the Summit. The Summit will be held from September 14-16 at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney and we wanted to share some of the highlights that we are really excited about, including Keynote speaker Ed Gandia - moving up the value chain and not taking orders How skilled interviews give you nuances that AI can never match Jess Mudditt talking about high-paying journalism gigs Transferrable skills that journalists can take into government work with Nigel Bartlett How our second keynote speaker Jennifer Goforth Gregory hits revenue targets by breaking all the rules Racquel Collard’s marketing presentation - no more panic marketing! AI tools in general… there are so many, what should we learn? Valerie Khoo’s talk about microcredentials Ros Page’s survey on how agencies are using AI and how that might be affecting their use of freelancers. Ways that you can diversify and add new income streams to your freelance business There are still a few tickets still available for The Content Byte Summit Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Creative business consultant Monica Davidson on building a successful creative business
08/27/2023
Creative business consultant Monica Davidson on building a successful creative business
This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne chat with award-winning creative business consultant Monica Davidson on building a successful creative business. Monica works with creatives of all types to help them build their businesses and gain confidence. We chat about: Practical business advice for creatives Common mistakes freelancers make Working with government departments and agencies Helping people convert a hobby into a professional business Working with and training mentors Managing staff and growing a business. About Monica + Creative Plus Business Find out more about Monica here: Connect with her on LinkedIn: ALSO! Creative Plus Business is kindly offering TCB listeners 30 percent off the course , with the code Content-Byte-comp-2023 (expires Nov 30). About us + The Content Byte Summit Only a few tickets still available for our conference in September, The Content Byte Summit Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Writer Eagranie Yuh on white papers, branded podcasts … and having a chocolate side hustle
08/20/2023
Writer Eagranie Yuh on white papers, branded podcasts … and having a chocolate side hustle
This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with writer Eagranie Yuh, who’s had an interesting career journey (but isn’t that all of us, really?). Eagranie chats about about how her background brought her to working on her own, writing white papers and doing branded podcasts for clients. She shares lots of fabulous ideas and tips, including: How a career coach helped her turn her passion for writing into a career What it's like to work for big international brands What white papers are and how to make them useful How she moved from Canada to Tasmania - and continued her successful freelance career Her side hustle of chocolate making What it's like juggling time zones and school pickup Why she loves conferences and making in-person connections. Connect with Eagranie via LinkedIn or visit her website: Find out more about our upcoming conference, The Content Byte Summit Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Literary agent Lou Johnson about what agents do, whether you need one, and how to find one
08/13/2023
Literary agent Lou Johnson about what agents do, whether you need one, and how to find one
This week Rachel and Lynne chat with literary agent Lou Johnson, who has just launched her own agency, Key People Literary Management with agent, publisher, and author Jeanne Ryckmans. With more than 20 years in publishing, Lou shares her knowledge on all things book-related. In our discussion, she chats about: How publishing has changed over the years What agents do How to find one How to get a publishing deal How to market your book And whether you can really make money as a novelist in Australia Key People Literary Management is still setting up a website, but you can connect with Lou here: Find out more about our upcoming conference, The Content Byte Summit Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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RE-RELEASE! Finding content marketing clients with Jennifer Goforth Gregory
08/06/2023
RE-RELEASE! Finding content marketing clients with Jennifer Goforth Gregory
This week on the podcast, Lynne has been unwell so we thought it would be a great idea to re-release one of our favourite episodes from a few years ago. This episode, from June 2020 (so we chat about the pandemic a few times) is with content marketing queen Jennifer Goforth Gregory about moving from journalism to content marketing, why it's so important to have niches, positioning yourself to clients and agencies as a subject matter expert and her three-pronged approach to marketing yourself. She also shares a rough script on how to write an LOI (and why it's just a starting point and not the 'whole date'). Jennifer is one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming The Content Byte Summit - and this is a great way to hear her story and why we both find her inspiring. Jennifer's website is here: Connect with her Facebook group here: Find out more about our upcoming conference, The Content Byte Summit Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Rebecca Lowrey Boyd on embracing digital media
07/31/2023
Rebecca Lowrey Boyd on embracing digital media
This week on the podcast, Lynne and Rachel chat with one of our digital heroes - Rebecca Lowrey Boyd. Rebecca is the digital managing editor of Better Homes and Gardens, Australia's leading homes website. She also founded Wee Birdy in 2007, a London-based blog devoted to London shopping and design, an innovative site in the heyday of blogging that we both loved. Rebecca talks about working on the digital side of a large media brand and the move towards omnimedia channels of print, digital and TV - and how the print and digital teams now work together. She talks about her love of digital strategy and how working inhouse helps her to be at the forefront of the big projects. We loved hearing about how analytics informs the type of content these sites include and how SEO and EDMs still play a big part in driving organic traffic to the Better Homes website. Rebecca talks about some of the tools she uses and how that helps to keep the site top of mind - and on the front page of Google. It's a far-ranging and thoughtful discussion on the future of digital media. Connect with Rebecca via LinkedIn: Find out more about our upcoming conference, The Content Byte Summit Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Susan Horsburgh on writing Two Of Us columns, freelancing for big-name mags and why profiles are her thing
07/23/2023
Susan Horsburgh on writing Two Of Us columns, freelancing for big-name mags and why profiles are her thing
Freelance writer Susan Horsburgh has an enviable CV and portfolio, writing for some of the country's most prestigious titles, including the Australian Women's Weekly, The Good Weekend (in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) and Qantas magazines. She has written more than 30 Two of Us columns for The Good Weekend, which we know is a highly read and sought-after commission for freelancers. In her chat with Rachel and Lynne this week, she talks about: Her career to date (lots of great stories!) What she loves about writing profiles How to interview subjects to get the best story How to pitch to editors How to survive financially as a freelance writer Susan's Authory profile is here: Connect with her on LinkedIn here: But wait, that's not all! Find out more about our upcoming conference, The Content Byte Summit Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Sourcebottle’s Bec Derrington on creating a resource for journalists and content creators
07/16/2023
Sourcebottle’s Bec Derrington on creating a resource for journalists and content creators
This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting to a different style of guest - Bec Derrington from Sourcebottle. Sourcebottle is a fabulous resource for journalists, writers and content creators and one we both use regularly. Bec shares the story behind Sourcebottle - why she started it and how it works. During our wide-ranging chat we talk about: Her background in PR and how she saw the gap in the market The challenges in running a small business The changing media landscape How she connects journalists with sources and industry experts Some of the weird and wonderful callout requests she's had How to craft a callout that will give you the experts you need for your story How she deals with the 'pick your brains' conversations The challenges of maintaining a huge mailout list Connect with Bec here: Checkout Sourcebottle here: But wait, that's not all! Find out more about our upcoming conference, The Content Byte Summit Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (, an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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Steve Colquhoun on working as a freelance journalist, copywriter and motoring writer
07/09/2023
Steve Colquhoun on working as a freelance journalist, copywriter and motoring writer
This week, we're chatting to Steve Colquhoun - a journo, editor and copywriter based in Geelong, Victoria. He started in media at the age of 17 after leaving school, cutting his teeth on mastheads such as The Age, Herald Sun and Cairns Post. He's also worked extensively as a motoring journalist - and since going freelance in 2016 has met the content needs of a variety of clients including Mercedes-Benz, Deakin University and NAB. We chat to Steve about... + what it's really like writing about the world of fast cars + the challenges that come with having motoring as a niche + how he finds clients and what a typical week looks like + setting boundaries when mixing journalism work with content + how to write effective pitches that are more likely to get the green light + his top tips on carving out a successful freelance career. Find out more about Steve: His website: Connect with him on LinkedIn: Read his ultimate guide to retainers on Rachel's List: But wait, that's not all! Find out more about our upcoming conference, The Content Byte Summit and sign up for updates >> Find Rachel Find Lynne Rachel's List Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded, an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Visit them here >> Episode edited by Marker Creative Co
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