The Content Byte

How do you go from freelancing to running your own content agency? Great question - and in this episode it's one we put to Crucible Content's Jac Taylor, who talks us through why she decided to scale her business, how she did it, the challenges she faced and the digital tools she swears by.

This week's guest is Laura Simpson, the digital director of mass food at News Corp AU, working across taste.com.au and Australia's Best Recipes, where she oversees digital content commissioning, social media and content strategy. She chats with Rachel and Lynne about creating content using data and analytics and what it takes to stay number one in a category. Great insights about insights!

Many writers are scared of sales - and the hustle. In this week's episode, the first of 2022, high-level salesman Richard Gray takes hosts Rachel and Lynne through the sales process, shares his tips about selling, plus talks about cold calls and how to close a sale without sounding desperate or sleezy. If you want to connect with Richard reach out via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-gray-57040318/

You asked, we delivered... this week Rachel and Lynne have a LinkedIn Ninja on the podcast. Expert Jillian Bullock talks about LinkedIn's new newsletter feature, whether a premium subscription is worth it as well as great lead generation strategies using the platform. Find Jillian Bullock at https://linkedinninja.com.au/ Read her blog about LinkedIn tips and strategies at Rachels List: https://www.rachelslist.com.au/blog/your-guide-to-using-linkedin-as-a-freelancer/

Let's face it, we are all human - and we are likely to make a mistake (or two) over the course of our freelance career. But how do you recover from a big stuff-up? Long-time freelancer John Burfitt joins us this week to chat about how to come back from a mistake and regain trust with editors and clients.

When you freelance, the lines between home and work can easily blur - and burnout can be just around the corner. So if you feel like you need to tweak how you run your business, tune in to our chat with executive coach Elana Robertson from foundher, who shares strategies for refining your work rituals and building a more sustainable freelance business. Learn how to: + Adopt new morning rituals (rather than going straight to social) + How 90-day planning can help you meet your goals + Setting boundaries and sharing your instruction manual + How to 'habit-stack' the rituals that work for you + Elana's favourite apps and tools + And much more! Resources Find Elana here: https://www.foundher.co/

We typically tend to think of CVs as something you use in order to get your next permanent role - but what about freelancers? Do they need a CV too? Many say no, and want to move away from the CV to simply showing clients an online portfolio instead. But there are cases you'll be asked for a CV (especially if you do agency work) and it's a good idea to have one ready to send. In this short episode, we chat about: + What freelancer CVs are + How they differ from traditional CVs + Creating a freelancer CV for yourself + Design, sections, tone of voice + What else you need to know Resources Check out some really creative, beautiful CVs here. If you want to look at Rachel's freelancer CV, you'll find it available to download on her website. Canva also has a tutorial on creating CVs via its platform.

Overwhelmed with the amount of time you spend on screens? Jocelyn Brewer talks to Rachel and Lynne about digital nutrition and how freelancers can find a way to live with technology without it taking over our lives. Jocelyn is a cyberpsychologist and a digital wellbeing expert, who talks to us about conquering our love-hate relationship with technology. For freelancers and writers, she gives insight on how to be an 'intentional influencer' and have healthy boundaries around tech She shares practical tips on how to be more mindful about the way we use technology and social media. Find out more about Jocelyn here: https://jocelynbrewer.com/ Here's the link to her upcoming tech-use agreement course: https://events.humanitix.com/design-your-family-technology-agreement-dec2021

Digging deep into freelance communities in London after she'd lost a lot of her work during the pandemic inspired freelance marketing strategist and copywriter Sophie Cross to do something no one's ever really done: start a magazine by freelancers, for freelancers. In this chat with Sophie, she shares how the idea came to her, how it's taken over her life (and her work!) and much more. Listen to find out: + How the pandemic affected Sophie's work and caused her to start becoming more embedded in online freelance communities + Why she decided to start Freelancer magazine and (and how the Kickstarter campaign sold 1000 copies before the magazine even existed) + The nostalgic reason Sophie really wanted to start a print mag, despite the struggles magazines are having right now + Why she agrees that niche publishing is the future + The power of communities and word of mouth for freelancers + Why she loves the chance to talk to so many different freelancers and what she's learned + Why LinkedIn is her main platform for promoting the mag and how her strategies can be used by freelancers promoting themselves + The future of Freelancer magazine (it's all good, people!) + Sophie's favourite tools More about Sophie Freelancer magazine: www.freelancermagazine.co.uk/ Sophie on Twitter: twitter.com/fullythoughtout Sophie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sophcross/ Sophie's marketing and mindset courses www.thoughtfully.co.uk/

Freelancers who start to do a lot of client work will soon realise they'll be taking lots of briefs - and while you can do it in person, on Zoom or over the phone, you can also send a client brief template to your clients as well. In this episode, we chat about: The various ways to take a brief and what works for us What you need to consider when taking a brief Your briefing template, or the client's? Key things you need to ask about (budget, target audience, goals, style + tone etc) What happens when you get the briefing process wrong or miss things The importance of recapping over email Resources BLOG: 3 types of content you need to know about (to help you do a better job) https://www.rachelslist.com.au/blog/three-types-of-content-you-need-to-know-about-to-help-you-do-a-better-job/ TOOLKIT: Get $5 off the new client brief template at Rachel's List with the code BRIEF5 https://www.rachelslist.com.au/toolkit/product/client-brief-template/

This week on The Content Byte, we're talking to Sarah Townsend, a UK-based copywriter and the bestselling author of Survival Skills for Freelancers, a book that's fast becoming THE bible for anyone starting out working for themselves. (There's lots to learn too even if you're a veteran freelancer, just quietly). We chat to Sarah about: What inspired the book, and how she essentially wrote it for her 'younger self' The strategies she used to get the book out there and create word of mouth The pitfalls of freelancing, such as letting clients become your mini bosses, taking on work that's not a good fit for you, and being too scared to take risks Why community's so important and how to find your people Why a trusted freelance tribe can be invaluable, especially with what to charge How freelancing just isn't for everyone and that's completely okay Her top tips for any freelancers who may be struggling with building a business And much more! Want to know more about Sarah and the book? Head to SurvivalSkillsForFreelancers.com to sign up for Sarah's monthly newsletter, which is full of great advice for freelancers. You'll also get your hands on a free downloadable chapter of the book. You can also buy the book direct from Sarah or from Amazon.

Do you live in terror of asking for more money? Many freelancers do, and end up undercharging as a result, or charging the same rates for years on end. In this episode we cover why we need to get to grips with raising our rates (regularly) and the best way to do it. We also talk about: Why we're so nervous about raising our rates Why most clients prefer to pay you more than replace you The best times to start thinking about raising your rates The best ways to do it (and why it's not on the phone) And much more! Resources The pay rates report (great for checking what you should be charging) 25 Scripts for Freelance Success ebook (including scripts on raising your rates)

This week, Rachel and Lynne chat with Rachel's List gold member, colleague and long-time freelancer Monique Butterworth, who shares behind-the-scenes tales of celebrity interviews, the huge budgets of magazines in days gone by and why being professional and meeting deadlines still matters. We chat about: Monique's start in journalism and moving from a country town to Sydney Why developing relationships is the key to securing continual work Why a financial safety net is essential when you start freelancing Her favourite tools of the trade Why you should treat everyone with respect And why you should always deliver what has been commissioned Find Monique at moniquebutterworth.com, on LinkedIn or on Instagram @moniquebutterworthwriter

Are you a freelancer with a sneaky suspicion that you could be managing your social media better, or more effectively? Join the club: there are a lot of us out there. And in this episode, we ask Sam McFarlane from social media management consultancy, Sam Says for her tips on what we SHOULD be doing. She talks about: + Choosing platforms to focus on + Common mistakes freelancers make on social media + Creating a social media content calendar and why it's important + Best practice - including times to post and how often + The ratio of 'salesy' posts to other types of content + Ideas for posts audiences are interested in, which freelancers can work into a content calendar to get engagement and build their businesses + Social media tools she uses And much more! Where to find Sam Website: www.samsays.com.au LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sammcfarlane/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/samsayssocial/

If you endear yourself to a content agency that pays well, and offers you regular, interesting work, you're onto a good wicket as a freelancer. But how can you get your foot in the door in the first place? It can be a challenge for some writers, but in this episode, we ask Clare Brundle, managing director at Hardie Grant's Heads and Tales Content Agency, for her tips. She shares: + How agencies love freelancers with a specialist niche, and how it can set you up as the go-to person for that topic (and be lucrative) + Why there's less leeway with content marketing briefs than journalism briefs, and what you need to know about the strategy that's gone on behind the scenes of that brief + How you should never tell a content agency that you can write for digital if you don't have a website of your own + How to approach a content agency - do you simply send a letter of introduction, or pitch as well? + Why your career will die if you don't evolve, keep learning and stay curious, instead of focusing on how the industry is changing in ways you don't necessarily like + Her tips for immersing yourself in the world of content marketing so you're poised to approach agencies as they get new, interesting clients And much more! Find out more about Clare Website: www.headsandtales.agency LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/heads-and-tales-au Instagram: www.instagram.com/headsandtales_au Watch her amazing preso about custom publishing and content marketing in the Rachel's List Pitching masterclass

There's always so much to learn from successful freelancers, and our interview with freelance writer and editor Michelle Bateman is a case in point. Michelle specialises in beauty, fashion and culture – but she's quick to point out that there's a lot of joy in generalising too, simply because you can cover so many topics that interest you. In this bumper chat, we talk to Michelle about the following: How she fell into writing about beauty What having a niche and expertise can enable you to do more for clients How the pandemic has impacted beauty writers and the industry Adapting to different styles of writing, from editorial to content to copy Michelle's tips on switching between different types of writing Why you should always learn best practice and upskill regularly How Michelle manages big projects and smaller clients What kind of work she batches, and how batching helps her be more efficient Why Michelle loves a mix of in-house and working from home, and the value there is to be had in meeting regularly with clients or working with a team Her advice for freelancers and the benefits of working with agencies Michelle's favourite tools and apps Resources Michelle's website: http://www.michellebateman.com/ RL masterclass: Beyond Journalism (Michelle talks content marketing and copywriting) RL Blog: So you think you can … be a beauty writer?

By design, freelancers do have more freedom to live and work in other locations - even if you worry you might lose clients or become 'out of sight, out of mind'. That wasn't the case for editor and journalist Sara Mulcahy, who decided to move her family and freelance business to Far North Queensland just after Covid hit. And as it happened, she enjoyed her best financial year yet. In this episode, Sara talks about: The journey crossing the borders just before they closed How her work has changed since moving up north, and the niches she's thrived in due to her location Dealing with different budgets in different locations How she's managed to keep existing clients and find new ones Her tips for other freelancers, and more! Find Sara on LinkedIn

Do you struggle to get paid as a freelancer? Need some strategies to ensure clients don't ignore your invoices? You're in luck: in this episode, we're talking to Collectmore's Paul Metcalf, a nationally renowned debt collection expert. In this episode, Paul shares: Some of his most memorable debt collection stories Red flags about clients who may be problem payers How to set boundaries with clients from the get-go Strategies for protecting yourself as a freelancer Paul's #1 way to get paid (that most of us don't do) Steps for freelancers chasing late payments Letters of demand, and how to use the templates in the Collectmore app (before hiring a debt collector) And much more! Where to find Paul Website: www.collectmore.com.auFacebook: www.facebook.com/collectmore Download: Collectmore app

As freelancers, we all want more lovely leads coming to us - right? Enquiries popping into our inbox. Potential clients approaching us on social media. Ringing us straight from Google. And if things have been at bit barren in your business lately, we've got a heap of great things to try to get things moving again.

Ever thought of using a virtual assistant (VA)? This week on the podcast, Rachel Smith and Lynne Testoni chat with Fiona Campbell, who runs Thought Penny, an Australian team of VAs, as well as the VA Lead Network. Fiona talks about why you might not need a VA and how to automate your processes instead, all about opportunity cost and how to find the perfect assistant for your creative business. We cover: How to be more efficient with your time Automating processes When you don't need a VA Types of projects a VA might help with How to choose the right VA About Fiona Campbell Fiona is a Newcastle-based automation consultant, who leveraged 13 years of experience providing executive assistance and business management services, to CEOs, marketing directors, consultants and small business owners, to establish Thought Penny and the VA Lead Network. Thought Penny now supports a solid client base ranging from professional services to the creative, with an Australian team (they're in NSW, QLD, WA and VIC) of virtual assistants (VAs), business automation experts, graphic designers, website developers and copywriters. With Thought Penny's VA team in high demand, the VA Lead Network was born to help business owners find Australian virtual assistants with the right skills and experience for their needs when the Thought Penny team aren't available. Find Fiona at https://thoughtpenny.com.au/

Freelancers are essentially small businesses - even if we don't typically think of ourselves that way. And this episode with journalist and community manager Lucy Kippist, sheds so much light on being a small business AND working with other small businesses. We chat to Lucy about: Tips she learned from successful business owners Mistakes we commonly make along the freelance journey The differences between men and women business owners Getting customers / clients, and building a community How writers can add value to small business owners The productivity tips and systems that work for her And much more! Find out more about Lucy On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucykippist Mums'n'Co: https://www.mumsandco.com.au/

Making the bulk of your living from magazine commissions is a rarity for most freelancers these days, with many of us mixing it up with content marketing, copywriting and corporate work. But writer and author David Smiedt still works mainly for magazines and other media outlets. He's currently contributing editor at GQ Australia, list editor at escape.com.au and a columnist at The Rake and Home Beautiful. Plus, he's a stand-up comic! In this episode, we talk to David about: How he started out in his career - and the request that saw him writing for Lisa Wilkinson at CLEO while he was still at uni How being known for a comic tone and style has helped him maintain a living writing for magazines when many other writers have had to branch out into other areas Why he views himself as an artisan, like a plumber or carpenter, rather than an artist - and why that's helped him stay on many editors' speed dial for so long How writing regular columns are his bread and butter, and how he percolates his ideas How he sets rates and determines which jobs to turn down His tips for new freelancers or those starting out And lots more! Where to find David Website davidsmiedt.com.au Twitter twitter.com/Dsmiedt His work: authory.com/davidsmiedt

Becoming disillusioned with a staff job has been the springboard for many a freelance journey, including that of US-based healthcare writer Melanie Padgett Powers. In this week's episode, Mel chats to us about what prompted her to start her own writing and editing business, and how her fab podcast, Deliberate Freelancer, soon followed. Tune in to find out: - How Melanie lost an anchor client during the pandemic and what she tried to picked up thousands of dollars in new business - What she learned from a podcast series she did on Six Figure Freelancers, and the lessons she kept in her own business - The power of the freelance posse: why we're not competitors and how having a freelance community can be hugely valuable - How insightful time-tracking has been to her business - Why she's 'deliberate' in setting her monthly income goal, and how she runs her business and markets her business - Why she doesn't use an hourly rate but negotiates value-based pricing, and what that actually looks like when quoting And much more!

Freelance writer Lindy Alexander didn't start out as a writer, but she has carved out a $100K+ freelance writing business that's made her the envy of freelancers everywhere. We chat to her about how she started, some of her systems and processes, and her tips for success. Listen in to find out: How Lindy moved from being a social worker and AUSLAN interpreter to becoming a hugely successful freelancer What prompted Lindy to share her earnings, successes and strategies (and what made people start taking notice) Her tips on finding high-paying clients How being a generalist can save you in tough times (like a pandemic) Her tips to taking on a lot of work each month and getting it done The momentum happening in the 'edupreneur' space and how Lindy's coaching evolved into courses The mistakes you can make when putting a course together Mixing writing work with running courses How to pitch and make more money Her tips for journalists moving into freelancing Mistakes she sees freelancers make over and over And much more! Resources + where to find Lindy The Freelancer's Year Lindy's blog and free training on how to double your income through freelance writing (go to the courses tab) https://thefreelancersyear.com/ Hello Audio To create a private podcast stream for course participants https://www.helloaudio.fm/ Source Tracker Keep all your experts and sources in one place with this Rachel's List tool (one of Lindy's favourites) https://www.rachelslist.com.au/toolkit/product/expert-tracker/ VIDEO Masterclass: Pitching! Secrets from editors in print, digital and custom media, plus a special presentation from Lindy Alexander on how to pitch your services to corporate clients https://www.rachelslist.com.au/toolkit/product/video-masterclass-pitching-secrets-from-editors-in-print-digital-and-custom-media-plus-how-to-pitch-your-services-to-corporate-clients/ Freelancer Q&A: Meet Lindy Alexander https://www.rachelslist.com.au/blog/freelancer-qa-meet-lindy-alexander/

This week Rachel and Lynne talk with Belinda Weaver, cohost of the Hot Copy podcast and copywriter extraordinaire about how she created a successful freelance copywriting career, created a supportive community for copywriters and developed courses for those wishing to learn the trade or upskill. We chat about things such as: how copywriters can command higher rates, how to write faster and her advice to anyone wishing to have a career in copywriting. So much great information! About Belinda WeaverBelinda Weaver helps people write copy that makes them money. Whether it's teaching copywriters how to run successful businesses or business owners how to write more effective copy Belinda has courses, coaching and mentoring that builds skills and confidence. Belinda is an Aussie living in California with her pug, two daughters and husband (listed in order of neediness). She is obsessed with Doctor Who, English murder mysteries and making the perfect lemon curd. Find Belinda at https://copywritematters.com/; or follow her on Instagram @copywritematters

The goal for any freelancer is to have a full pipeline, working on projects that interest and excite you. Melbourne-based writer Shane Cubis is doing just that - and in our continuing series of successful freelancers, he chats to us about his very interesting career trajectory - which has included editing the notorious P mags, writing for The Chaser and in recent years, working for clients that range from start-ups to universities. In this episode we talk about... What editing 'the P mags' taught him Who he's written for, and how he gets clients How he's carved out a writing niche for his humour / specific tone of voice Digital tools he uses a lot, and why freelancers shouldn't balk at learning new programs His tips for writers starting out (including why you shouldn't fear slow patches) What to do if you want to flex your funny bone as a writer And much more! Where to find/follow Shane (and yes, you should) Website www.kneejerkbohemia.com Twitter @cubisia and Instagram @cubisia

Earning a decent living as a freelancer is within your reach - but how? In this jam-packed episode of tips, info and strategies, we talk to Melbourne-based freelancer Carrie Hutchinson about how she has carved out a thriving freelance career across print magazines, copywriting clients and corporate gigs, with a particular focus on travel and lifestyle. We cover: - The pros and cons of working with overseas clients (including payment issues or onboarding) - How Carrie picks up clients, gets ongoing work and why working with friends can actually be a good thing - Why marketing isn't a huge part of finding work for Carrie, but her tips on getting work quickly if she needs it - The importance of always being professional because often clients can circle back years later and offer you work - Why you shouldn't be nervous about editors moving on to other publications (and how it can actually double your workload) - What Carrie charges per hour, how she works it into her project fee and the clients she might charge slightly less for. Also, the formula she's used for figuring out her hourly rate - Carrie's freelance routine, why she doesn't sit at her desk for 8 hours a day, and why it's important to set boundaries with clients - What she's learned from freelancing in regards to confidence, valuing what you do, knowing your worth and not letting clients put you down or undermine you (remember that you're the boss) - How she mixes up her work with big projects and small ones - Buying property as a freelancer - how Carrie's done it - The freelance resources, courses, communities Carrie feels are worth paying for to help her in her work - Her top tips for freelancers who are starting out More resources Calculate your hourly rate Carrie's editing fundamentals masterclass Where to find Carrie LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-hutchinson-b91b9220/ Email: carrie @ copygirl.com.au Twitter: @ozcopygirl

After living overseas for many years, returning home and facing the prospect of freelancing with no contacts and no local experience can be extremely tough. Jessica Mudditt, author of Our Home in Myanmar, did just that - and in this episode we chat about: - How Jess's new book came about, and what it's like watching Myanmar's crisis unfold from afar after living there for years - Building a freelance business from the ground up after leaving Asia and returning to Australia, and how she did it - How her life has changed since - she's now a single mum to two little girls and juggles freelancing around them - Finding clients and her tips on working with overseas clients And much more. For more info on Jess Buy her book, Our Home in Myanmar Follow her on Twitter or Facebook Visit her online portfolio

Case studies can be a convincing form of social proof for content clients - and can be a valuable addition to your writing services. In this week's episode, we talk about the following: The types of case studies clients want (from structured templates to interviews to video-style case studies) How they stack up compared to other content marketing Our tips for finding customers for interview case studies What we charge for case studies and why Creating case studies for your own website. Other resources https://b2blauncher.com/episode171/

We've all downloaded a lead magnet or two (those irresistible freebies offered on a website in exchange for your email address). But what makes a good lead magnet? How much should you charge to a client to write an ebook or white paper? In this episode, we talk about: Lead magnet basics - what are they and why are they important to an overall content strategy Why a great lead magnet will always aim to solve a problem A range of different lead magnet ideas How to quote for one (and what we've been paid) And much more!

This week Rachel and Lynne decided to mix it up and have a bit of fun. Inspired by an email that Rachel received from a client, we talk about some of the hilarious feedback we have had from clients and editors because you have got to laugh sometimes - or it could all get you down. We have a few classic comments of our own to share and we also decided to open it up to the Rachel's List Gold Community group on Facebook for their stories. Listen and let us know how many resonate with you!

How DO you get customers and build a solid financial footing when you're starting out as a freelancer or small business (or are stuck in a slow patch)? This week, we chat to Rounded co-founder and COO Oliver Garside about the strategies they used, and how they might relate to freelancers seeking clients and customers. Oliver also shares some tips on making EOFY less stressful if you work for yourself. In this episode: The Rounded journey - from start-up mode to 6 years in How to build a customer base when you have no customers The importance of knowing your customer (rather than trying to be all things to all people) Picking a niche – does that mean losing out on opportunities? Adding complimentary skills that can make you more versatile as a freelancer Embrace the trial and error – it'll only help you grow a better business How Rounded reached out to potential customers (and why it's similar to how freelancers send LOIs) Using content marketing to broaden your audience - and find out how Rounded's content strategy has helped them The importance of focusing on your customer / client – and how offering great customer service can make a huge difference to your success Building your bizz slowly versus chasing the 'silver bullets' Mistakes small businesses make (and how to improve) Plus, Oliver's tips on making EOFY much less stressful for freelancers. Find out more about RoundedRounded is online accounting software for freelancers and it's a great way to keep track of your incomings and outgoings (and make tax time easier). Visit: www.rounded.com.au A special dealRounded is offering listeners of The Content Byte 25% off for 3 months of a new membership with the coupon code FJbx3lPe - just pop that in when signing up for a monthly membership. Psssst! Gold members of Rachel's ListRounded is kindly offering our Gold members 25% off for the first six months of a monthly membership. To find this code, click on any job on the jobs board and you'll see the code in the sidebar. Or, email us and we'll send it to you.

If most of the jobs you take on are completing pieces of content for a client - and you want to do more - then this week's episode is for you. Getting stuck into the strategy for a client, advising them on how to improve or repurpose their content (or even scrap their current strategy and create something better), isn't just rewarding. It can mean charging more, too! And you may already be doing bits of strategy already without charging for it, if you're invested in seeing your clients succeed. In this episode, we chat to PR, communications and marketing director Alexandra Kentmann, who's strategised for a heap of top-shelf brands during her career. She shares how she works, what's involved in offering strategy, digital tools she loves and much more. Find Alexandrahttps://www.instagram.com/lexikentmann/

While your own freelance website is very important, optimising your Google My Business (GMB) profile is absolutely critical if you want to maximise your visibility online and bring warm leads your way. In this episode, we chat to digital marketing consultant Katie Hull about how to make your GMB profile the best it can be, including: What Google My Business is, how to access it and how to get the benefits of it How to set it up and what's important to include, from service areas to products Why neglecting it could mean other freelancers rank above you How to use it to showcase your wares and put you in the best position to compete with the big players out there (including freelancers marketplaces) Why the more you feed your GMB, the better visibility you'll get How to use UTM tracking codes to find out if your leads are GMB ones What kinds of visuals to use if you're a service-based business and not a shopfront How to use GMB to stalk your competitors and get ideas on tweaking your profile Lots more! Where to find Katie LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-hull-01717935/ Twitter https://twitter.com/LadyHull Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HulloCommunications Website https://hullocommunications.com.au

The longer you freelance, the more likely you are to come across a tricky or challenging client. Clients who try to bargain you down. Who are so disorganised they throw out timelines on other projects. Or clients who just want to micro-manage everything down to the last detail. This week, we talk about our approaches to five typical 'tricky' clients and what works for us. The Negotiator The Novice The Control Freak The Boundary Pusher The Ghoster SPECIAL this week: For cut'n'paste scripts you can use on a variety of challenging freelance situations, grab 30% off 25 Scripts for Freelance Success ebook with the code BYTE30. It's in the Toolkit at Rachel's List: https://www.rachelslist.com.au/toolkit/product/25-scripts-for-freelance-success-ebook/

This week Rachel & Lynne are talking about something that has intrigued me for a while – Pinterest, the social media that you might not be aware of and how powerful it is with guest, Simone Pavils, a Pinterest specialist. About Simone Simone Pavils provides Pinterest and SEO services and strategy for business, to help them lighten the load and live more intentionally. She shows you how to create perfect, SEO-optimised Pinterest profiles and pins, and improve your Pinterest strategy so that you can have organic traffic flow to your website without barely lifting a finger. During the episode we talk about what Pinterest is and how it works, how you can use it to drive traffic to your website, mistakes people make with Pinterest and the fact that pins have a long lifespan - more than Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook. Find Simone here: Website: www.simonepavils.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/simonepavils Facebook: www.facebook.com/simonepavilsbusiness Pinterest: www.pinterest.com.au/simonepavils

This week Rachel and Lynne are talking about your biggest marketing tool – your website! We are constantly surprised how many writers don't have a website, or have one that misses crucial pieces of information. This week, website developer Jude Love from Love Communications talks all things websites and what creatives need to include. Her 7 tips on what to include are: A sales mindset – make every page a sales page. This means a clear definition of your audience/clientele, the problems you solve, social proof and clear call to action. Your Unique Value Proposition above the fold. Make sure your About page talks about the problems you solve for your clients, not just about you. Social proof: testimonials from your clients and editors. Make it easy for them to leave a testimonial for you on your Google My Business. Clear call to action and a very clear way to contact you. Good sign-up reward to build a mailing list. Good technology, small image file sizes, no sliders, search engine integration. Find Jude Love: Journosgetonline: https://www.journosgetonline.com.au/ Site coaching: https://www.journosgetonline.com.au/site-coaching/ Personal brand package: https://lovecommunications.com.au/personal-branding/ Contact Rachel Smith [email protected]; Lynne Testoni [email protected]

Are you a freelance writer looking to save time, get inspiration and make use of some of the brilliant digital tools out there (if you only knew what the best ones were)? In this episode - a follow-up to our 10 Essential Writing Tips episode a few weeks before - details some great tools we use in our own writing work. Resources we talk about in this episode Hemingway App https://hemingwayapp.com/ ContentBot https://contentbot.ai/ Cheese Ipsum http://www.cheeseipsum.co.uk/ Otter Ai https://otter.ai/ The Phrase Finder https://www.phrases.org.uk/ Plain English Dictionary https://sandralmuller.com/plain-english-dictionary/ oTranscribe https://otranscribe.com/ Word Hippo https://www.wordhippo.com/ Calendly https://calendly.com/ RhymeZone https://www.rhymezone.com/ Later https://later.com/ The Most Dangerous Writing App https://www.squibler.io/dangerous-writing-prompt-app Our interview with the creator of The Most Dangerous Writing App https://www.rachelslist.com.au/blog/we-chat-to-the-creator-of-the-most-dangerous-writing-app/

A successful Facebook group can be a powerful thing - whether you're using it to create a community of like-minded people, to teach others, to gather feedback or to sell stuff. But how can you build a successful group, keep people talking - and stop it taking over your life in the process? In this episode, we chat with Freelance Jungle founder Rebekah Lambert, who knows a heck of a lot about FB groups and community management. Tune in to listen to us cover: Why you might want to start a FB group What Rebekah wishes she'd known before starting hers Her tips and strategies for creating a thriving group that doesn't take hours of her actual day Dealing with different personalities and member requests Management tips for coping with groups that become bigger than Ben Hur Getting help running your group with moderators Monetising a FB group And lots more! More about Rebekah Her website, Unashamedly Creative: https://unashamedlycreative.com.au/ Freelance Jungle website + directory https://freelancejungle.com.au/ Sign up to the Freelance Jungle https://www.facebook.com/groups/freelancejungle

Does your writing need work? In this episode, we share ten essential tips for making your writing better - from making it more accessible, to ditching filler words, to how much time to spend on your opener and closing paragraphs, and much more.

As a freelancer, you're probably always juggling a few different projects, with some weeks busier than others. And if you don't have systems in place to track how you're going and meet your deadlines, things can get hairy, fast. In this episode, Lynne and I talk about the different ways we juggle our workload, the systems we've created to ensure deadlines are met, and how we assess whether we can fit another project in. Hope it gives you some new ideas!

With the last year bringing so much uncertainty to the media industry, many journalists are choosing to parlay their skills into content roles in the public sector - and what's not to love? Job security, a regular paycheck and super make this an attractive proposition. But what do you need to know before you take the leap? Journo Nigel Bartlett, who's currently working as a content designer in a government role, joins us to share his tips on: - Updating your LinkedIn so you're attractive to government agencies and have a desirable skillset - How to find the right jobs - either via LinkedIn or agencies recruiters or HR departments - At what stage you should negotiate flexibility (eg working off-site, even part of the time) - How to assess whether a government role is right for you - Skills that are important and those you'll pick up (Nigel's picked up some great UX skills which are in high demand) - And much more.

Low-paying clients. We've all been there as freelancers - so how do you deal with it? In this episode, we cover several scenarios: What to do if you're offered work then told the rate is ridiculously low How to raise your rates with low-paying clients you already have How to weed out low-paying clients from the get-go, without wasting time How to educate clients about market rates. Tune in for the scripts we use with clients, how not to burn bridges (in case that client pops up somewhere else or suddenly gets more budget) and how to nip scope creep in the bud - which often seems to happen with low-paying clients! Plus, we tackle the great debate about whether to put your rates on your website and some strategies on how to use your website as a digital gate-keeper for the tyre-kickers who'll just waste your time but not hire you (or pay you what you're worth). Resources: The Rachel's List pay rates report Grab 20% off the following tools for the next week with the code BYTE20: Mini Masterclass: Your essential guide to quoting freelance projects Ebook: 25 Scripts for Freelance Success

This week, Rachel and Lynne talk all about how we can build up a powerful network with a special guest – Tory Archbold. Networking! Sometimes that is a word that drives fear into people's hearts, but we think that Tory Archbold has a great take on it. She calls it connecting rather than networking and has developed some easy and introvert-friendly ways to connect with people – and help those connections to take your business to the next level. About Tory: Tory is an entrepreneur, CEO and business coach. She has run her own business for many years and now helps women find their own superpowers and take their business to the next level through courses and one-on-one mentoring. Some of the things we discuss with Tory include: Why developing a network is so important How to make LinkedIn work for you How the pandemic has opened up opportunities Why sharing the engagement and results of your work can lead you to new opportunities How her coffee date system works How to connect without sounding pushy Tips for meeting via Zoom or virtually How to connect with Tory Website www.powerful-steps.com Instagram @powerfulsteps Podcast Powerful Stories with Tory Archbold Book a coffee date with Tory link is https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=20045920&appointmentType=15489103

This week Lynne and Rachel share their tips and tricks on how to repurpose and reuse content, without plagiarising. We think writers are crazy if they don't keep track of what they've written about and revisit those topics – but we're talking updated, fresh, completely new articles. Not a spit and polish and a re-sell on the old one. We talk about: Using fresh ways to tackle the same subjects How interviews with new experts can give you new angles on stories Using new research to update existing stories How to get two articles out of the same topic How you can put procedures in place to stop repeating yourself when writing about the same subjects We also mention the Plagiarism Checker: https://smallseotools.com/plagiarism-checker/

With the last year bringing so much uncertainty to the media industry, both Rachel and I have known a few former colleagues who have moved to onto other roles – and even whole new careers. However, it can be a tricky switch, so in this episode we're chatting to careers coach Jane Jackson about making that step. A bit about Jane: Jane is a Career Management Coach, LinkedIn Top Voice 2020, Founder of The Careers Academy membership portal, host of Your Career Podcast and author of Amazon best-seller Navigating Career Crossroads. Over the past 20 years Jane has coached thousands of career changers, empowering them to make a successful career transition and create their dream career. Jane's MISSION: To make career guidance accessible and affordable to all who need it globally. In this episode, we talk about: - LinkedIn, marketing yourself and visibility - Job-seeking trends Jane's seen during the pandemic - Sideways careers and options for journalists - Retraining and transferrable skills - Keeping your spirits up when the job hunt goes on (and on) - Important skills for a future AI-dominated world of work - Future-proofing your career going forward - Jane's advice for all job-seekers looking for work Further reading From the Rachel's List blog: Just been retrenched? Careers coach Jane Jackson shares her tips Where to find Jane LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janejackson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneCareerCoach Website: https://janejacksoncoach.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janecareercoach The Careers Academy: https://www.thecareersacademy.online/

Newsletters are big bikkies right now - so how do you create one that people want to open week after week? In this episode, that's a question we put to Sophie Hansen, creator of the Monday morning missive 5 Things To Be Cheerful About. Sophie shares the story of starting the newsletter, why she chose the format she did, and how she grew her audience. Plus, if you're considering starting your own newsletter, you'll get Sophie's great tips and advice on how to do it and get that all-important momentum. About Sophie Sophie Hansen was born and raised in Sydney, and now lives with her family (husband Tim, daughter Alice 13, son Tom 11) on their deer farm just outside of Orange in country New South Wales. She trained in print journalism (at the University of Canberra) and has over 20 years experience as a features writer and content creator. She is currently writing her fourth book, her third In Good Company is to be published by Murdoch Books in April 2021. Her second cookbook, A Basket by the Door, is in its fourth reprint and widely distributed around the world. She spent three years working with Slow Food Editore in Northern Italy in her twenties and for the past ten years has been sharing recipes and social media tips on her two blogs Local is Lovely and My Open Kitchen. She also teaches social media and content marketing to producers and small businesses across Australia. In 2016 she was awarded Australian Rural Woman of the Year (via the Federal Government's Agrifutures initiative) in recognition of her commitment to rural communities. This week we chat to Sophie about: Why she decided to start 5 Things To Be Cheerful About How she went about bringing the newsletter together, designing a template and choosing the whole look'n'feel What her process is for collating the items and writing it How she's built up her subscriber base and grown her newsletter community What a typical day looks like for her How the newsletter is an important piece of the marketing puzzle What it's like being a freelancer in rural Australia Her advice for anyone thinking of starting a newsletter. Where to find Sophie Local is Lovely website local-lovely.com 5 Things To Be Cheerful About Subscribe here LocalLovely Instagram www.instagram.com/locallovely A Basket By the Door Buy here 5 Things to be Cheerful About Podcast

Hosts Rachel Smith from Rachel's List and journalist and content creator Lynne Testoni talk about what we have learnt during 2020 – and how it has made our work better. Last year took us out of our comfort zones, but it wasn't all bad. We each share our tips on what we are doing differently because of the pandemic.

It's been a great year of stellar guests ... and in this bonus Christmas episode, we each share our top five tips and moments from the year that's been. Plus, find out the episodes in our back catalogue we really think are worth a listen. Merry Christmas!

It's no secret that media has been doing it very tough for several years now, with magazine closures and redundancies across the board. Add in a pandemic and it's been the year from hell for editors, staff and freelancers alike. So how has a magazine like delicious. just gone from strength to strength? And what do you do when you're editorial director of a travel brand like Escape during a time when no one's getting on a plane? We chat to Kerrie McCallum about all of the above and more, plus what she looks for from freelancers these days. A must listen for any journalist in the travel, food and lifestyle space.