So you want to be a copywriter with Bernadette Schwerdt - podcast cover

So you want to be a copywriter with Bernadette Schwerdt

Copy School & Australian Writers' Centrewww.soyouwanttobeacopywriter.com.au

Join Australia’s most popular copywriting coach Bernadette Schwerdt as she takes you deep inside the world of how to be a professional copywriter. She’ll bring you the latest in how to get started, find work, build a brand, make money, manage your mindset and more. This behind the scenes look at how to become a top copywriter is the perfect pick-me-up for any writer who wants to earn more doing something they love. This podcast is by Australian Writers' Centre and Copy School.

Episodes

COPYWRITER 090: How to land lucrative brand deals as a content creator with Michelle Melky

We’ve all heard about the TikTok video that goes viral for no apparent reason or the unsuspecting tradie who becomes an overnight sensation off the back of one post. Well, it turns out there’s a method to that madness, and the one with the keys to unlocking that method is Michelle Melky. Michelle is the Global Creative Director of a marketing agency called Amplify. They represent the top influencers and broker the deals for them. Michelle has created cutting-edge content for brands including Est...

Jun 08, 20251 hr 12 min

COPYWRITER 089: How to launch your own digital marketing campaign with expert marketer Ben Fewtrell

If you’ve ever wondered what digital marketing really is, and how you can leverage it to generate more traffic, more leads, and convert more sales, this is the podcast for you. There are lots of digital marketers out there, but few have the depth, skill, and knowledge that Ben Fewtrell has. As the owner of Digi TLC, he’s run campaigns for a huge range of clients and has got the digital process down to a fine art. In this episode, Ben teaches us how to kick-start a digital marketing campaign, how...

May 18, 202544 min

COPYWRITER 088: How to create SEO content that gets you on page 1 of Google in an AI world with Penelope Cannata

In this episode, Bernadette chats with Penelope Cannata, SEO Content Strategist at StudioHawk, about what it really takes to get found online right now. Penelope unpacks the biggest mistakes businesses make with SEO copy, how to write for both humans and algorithms, and why brands need to double down on trust, quality and purpose if they want to stay relevant in AI-powered search. With 6+ years of experience across education, commercial and not-for-profit sectors, Penelope brings a refreshing mi...

Apr 27, 202534 min

COPYWRITER 087: How to write an SEO Blog in an AI world with Matthew Farmer

AI might be dominating headlines, but when it comes to getting found online, Google is still king. In this episode, we’re cutting through the hype and getting back to basics - because no matter how fast AI evolves, knowing how to write an SEO blog that ranks is still essential. To walk us through it, I’ve invited back Matt Farmer - former student, long-time SEO content strategist, and past team member at award-winning agency Studio Hawk. Matt knows exactly what it takes to get content noticed by...

Apr 06, 202546 min

COPYWRITER 086: How to free up time and avoid burning out in copywriting with Kieran Browning

In this episode, we chat with Kieran Browning, a consultant with deep expertise in operations and digital marketing. If you’re a copywriter struggling to scale, feeling overwhelmed with client work, or battling endless revisions, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help you streamline your business. In this episode, you’ll discover: The biggest bottlenecks copywriters face when scaling. How to efficiently delegate tasks and systemise your business. The simple email tweak that ...

Mar 16, 202536 min

COPYWRITER 085: How to set up your copywriting business for financial success with Andrew Nicholls

Starting a copywriting business is exciting, but navigating the financial and legal aspects can feel overwhelming. From choosing the proper business structure to understanding tax obligations, there’s a lot to consider. In this episode, Andrew Nicholls, an experienced finance expert and business advisor, breaks it all down in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether you’re just starting out or already running your copywriting business, this episode will help you make informed financial decisions...

Feb 23, 202555 min

COPYWRITER 084: How to write newsletters, master AI, and tell great stories with Steven Lewis

Steven Lewis is one of the most experienced copywriters working in Australia today and was one of the world’s first web copywriters. Yes, he’s that old, but in a good way because he’s been around and he knows what works and what doesn’t. Steven is a master of writing emails that get noticed and creating content that connects and converts. In this episode, Steven Lewis, founder of Taleist and The Obvious Choice, shares his expertise on writing emails that get opened, creating newsletters that bui...

Feb 02, 202540 min

COPYWRITER 083: How to add grant writing to your copywriting services with Elaine Abery

Grant writing is a highly lucrative skill, and the demand for skilled grant writers has never been higher. If you want to master grant writing, attract clients, and confidently charge for your services, this podcast episode is for you. In this episode, Elaine Abery of Unravelling Red Tape shares her invaluable expertise in grant writing, advocacy, and working with government organisations. Whether you’re new to grant writing or want to refine your skills, this conversation is packed with insight...

Jan 12, 202534 min

COPYWRITER 082: How to write a high converting sales page with Ash Chow

Sales pages – we’ve all heard of them but do you really know what they are, what they’re designed to do, how they’re different to other web pages, and more importantly, how to write one? Ash Chow is a sales page expert – she’s the ‘go to’ copywriter for those looking to write high converting sales pages. In this episode, Ash gives us the low down on everything you need to write a sales page and shares with us her unique 5-step formula for doing it quickly and effectively - from writing the hero ...

Dec 22, 202458 min

COPYWRITER 081: How to add UX Copywriting to your suite of services with Susan Reoch

Would you like to become an expert at UX copywriting? Would you like to make money from UX copywriting? What even is UX copywriting? UX copywriting is a fascinating and super important sub-genre of copywriting that can turn a good customer experience into a great customer experience. UX stands for User Experience and it’s the art of helping users navigate a website in the most efficient way possible. If you’ve ever been frustrated at how unhelpful a website is, or struggled to find the buy butto...

Dec 01, 202447 min

COPYWRITER 080: How to use Substack to monetise your copywriting with Lizzie Mulherin

In this episode I talk with Lizzie Mulherin, an experienced copywriter, brand strategist, and founder of Create Your Living on Substack. Lizzie has worked with top brands like Red Bull, Afterpay, and David Jones, and she’s here to share how she leverages Substack to build an audience, earn recurring income, and offer unique content. If you’ve ever thought about using Substack to amplify your writing business, this episode is for you. In this episode, we talk about: What Substack is and why it’s ...

Nov 10, 202432 min

COPYWRITER 079: Discover how to scale your writing business and possibly turn it into an agency

Would you like to scale your writing business and maybe turn it into an agency? Would you like to have other writers working for you so you don’t have to do the actual writing? Or maybe you’d like to get work through a writer’s agency? That’s what I’ll be talking about today with Sara Howard, the founder of Writers Australia, a content writing agency with some of the biggest brands on its copywriting books. In this episode, Sara Howard shares her journey from solo freelancer to agency founder, o...

Oct 20, 202450 min

COPYWRITER 078: How to use AI to enhance your copywriting skills with Leanne Shelton

In this episode, I chat with Leanne Shelton, founder of HumanEdge AI Training, about how copywriters can harness the power of AI to write copy quickly and accurately, without losing the human touch. What you’ll learn: How to overcome fear of AI: Discover practical tips to help you embrace AI as a tool that complements, rather than replaces, your creative abilities. How to train AI tools for your needs: Learn how to customise AI tools to fit your unique brand voice and specific client needs, and ...

Sep 29, 202448 min

COPYWRITER 077: How to charge what you're worth with Andrew Griffiths

Do you struggle to price your copywriting services? Do you constantly undercharge and feel undervalued? Do you see others less talented than you getting paid more> If any of that resonates with you and you feel just a little bit annoyed that you’re not getting paid what you’re worth, this is the episode is for you! Today, we dive into a topic that many creatives struggle with: pricing their services. In our chat today Andrew Griffiths shares his insights on how to charge what you're worth and...

Sep 08, 202451 min

COPYWRITER 076: How to build a six-figure copywriting business with Sophia Auld

Would you like to earn a six figure income from copywriting? Would you like to leverage your existing career to help you find new copywriting clients? Would you like to write about something you love and get paid well to do so? If any of that resonates, this episode is for you. In this episode I talk to Sophia Auld, a health and medical copywriter who turned her 25 years of healthcare experience into a successful copywriting career. Sophia shares her unique journey and provides valuable insights...

Aug 18, 202453 min

COPYWRITER 075: How to niche your copywriting business with Bernadette Schwerdt

If you’ve ever wondered what niching is, or how to niche your copywriting business, this is the episode for you. Whether you're considering specialising in a specific industry or want to understand the benefits and drawbacks of niching, this episode provides valuable insights and practical advice to help you make an informed decision. In this episode I talk about: Copy vs Content Understanding the critical differences between copywriting (selling and persuasion) and content writing (informing an...

Jul 28, 202450 min

COPYWRITER 074: How to be (more) creative with award-winning copywriter and art director Adrian Elton.

Adrian Elton is an award-winning creative who has worked for some of the world’s biggest brands including Disney, Sesame Street, Australia Post, Fairfax and many others. Adrian’s career journey is as eclectic as it is inspiring. He started by studying interior design, transitioned to graphic design, evolved into an art director, became a musician, and finally found his calling as a copywriter. His work spans multiple sectors, and he’s known for his creative strategy and compelling copywriting. T...

Jul 07, 202447 min

COPYWRITER 073: Secrets of entrepreneurship from Australia’s top leaders with Bernadette Schwerdt

I’m the author, ghostwriter and coauthor of 7 books about entrepreneurship. I’ve interviewed some of the biggest names in business. Ruslan Kogan from Kogan. Gabby Leibovich from Catch of the Day. Jane Lu from Show Po. Naomi Simson from Red Balloon. Simon Griffiths from Who Gives a Crap. And many more. I’m often asked, ‘What have you learnt by interviewing over 100 of Australia’s top entrepreneurs? Do they have anything in common? And if so, what? Did they all get lucky or did they do something o...

Jun 16, 202449 min

COPYWRITER 072: How to use podcasts to build your business with Lyndal Harris

If you’d like to launch your own podcast to promote your copywriting business, this is the podcast for you. Lyndal Harris is one of Australia’s top podcasting consultants. She’s launched hundreds of podcasts for a huge range of businesses and she’s here today to share her knowledge about how copywriters and any other small business owner - can start, launch and market their podcast. In this episode, you’ll learn: How a podcast can build your business What a podcast is and how it differs from oth...

May 26, 202444 min

COPYWRITER 071: How to land a job in a blue chip advertising agency with Philip Taffs

Would you like to land a copywriting job in an advertising agency working with blue chip clients? How about working in New York in the heart of advertising land? What about using your copywriting skills to write a bestselling novel? If you like to learn how to do any of these, then you need to listen to Philip Taffs. He has worked as a Senior Writer and Creative Director in both Melbourne and Manhattan. He’s worked with major players like Menulog and Playstation and helped launch the Honda CR-V ...

May 05, 202446 min

COPYWRITER 070: Discover the top AI tools all copywriters need to know about

Greg Baker knows more than most about AI and where it's headed. As an AI futurist and lecturer in Computational Linguistics at Macquarie University, Greg educates students on the intricacies of Artificial Intelligence for Text and Vision, and blends his theoretical insights with practical applications. He helps the C-suite understand the future of labour, how to maximise AI productivity gains and how to gain a deep technical understanding of what is possible. He is a director at the Institute fo...

Apr 14, 20241 hr 7 min

COPYWRITER 069: How to add copyediting and proofreading to your suite of services

Would you like to add copy editing, project editing and proofing to your suite of services? If so, then this is the episode for you. Matt Davies is a leading copy editor. He specialises in the health care and government sectors and has created a thriving business that lets him work on his terms so that he has the time and space to pursue his true passion – writing novels. He’s already written three and he is just going from strength to strength. Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you...

Mar 24, 202442 min

COPYWRITER 068: In conversation with Radek Sali, former CEO of Swisse, about his new book.

Have you ever considered adding ghostwriting of business memoirs to your suite of services? In today's episode, we explore the riveting tale behind the meteoric rise of Swisse Wellness, as recounted in the new book, "How to Build a Billion-Dollar Business" by Radek Sali, the visionary entrepreneur and former Swisse CEO. I happened to be his co-author on this project so I thought it’d be interesting to have a chat with Radek about the ghost-writing process and to share some hints and tips on how ...

Mar 03, 202428 min

COPYWRITER 067: The Writing Life of Jewel Topsfield

As a leading journalist with The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald , there’s not a lot that Jewel Topsfield hasn’t written about. Social affairs, politics, immigration, education, and global affairs are just a few of her specialty areas. Beyond journalism, Jewel is a sought-after speaker, lecturer at universities and schools, and has led a team that won a Walkley Award and served as a Walkley Awards judge. I’m talking to Jewel today about her life as a journalist and how her writing life has cha...

Feb 11, 202439 min

COPYWRITER 066: How to build an online course with Amber Renae

If you have a passion for a topic and would like to turn that passion into profit, you may want to build an online course so you can teach it. Amber Renae is many things. She started out as an engineer and then pivoted, seamlessly into becoming a celebrity stylist. It’s a logical next step, isn’t it? She quickly realised she has a talent for not just making people look good, but helping their content look good too and so she created a course that helped others monetise their expertise. She is no...

Jan 21, 202438 min

COPYWRITER 065: ChatGPT, copywriting and neurodiversity

AI and copywriting. Everyone’s talking about it but someone who’s really getting deep into the weeds of how it all works is Leanne Shelton. Leanne is a copywriter who has taken a right turn and has reinvented her brand to become a specialist in copy and AI. Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 31, 202343 min

COPYWRITER 064: The anxiety of the writing life

Anxiety. We all have it, or elements of it, but some of us have it more than others. Writers, it would seem, have more of it than most. In this revealing podcast, Kerri Sackville, one of Australia’s most prominent columnists and popular writers discusses her writing life, and in particular, her unique relationship to, and with anxiety – how it helps her, hinders her and why it’s the creative force that underpins much of her work. Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australi...

Dec 03, 202348 min

COPYWRITER 063: To niche or not to niche - the pros and cons of niching your copywriting business

To niche or not to niche? It’s a question I get asked a lot so I thought I’d interview Lynne Testoni, a leading content creator and copywriter. Lynne specialises in some of the most coveted topics – interior design, homewares, gardening, food, cookbooks and much more. She has carved out a niche writing career that enables her to write about what she wants, when she wants, and to work with the people she wants. If you’d like to learn how to successfully niche your copywriting business, become a s...

Nov 12, 202349 min

COPYWRITER 062: How to become a successful ghostwriter

If you’re a copywriter and you’d like to expand your services and create a long term stream of income, you should consider becoming a ghostwriter. What even is a ghost writer? In many senses, a copywriter is the ultimate ghost writer in that we write content for a specific client, we are largely invisible, we don’t seek credit for the work and we work hard to become the voice of that brand. Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au...

Oct 23, 202342 min

COPYWRITER 061: How to write a book that promotes your business with Anna Featherstone

If you’d like to explore how your copywriting skills can help you, or your client, write a book and become an authority in your industry, this is the episode for you. Anna Featherstone is an expert author, publicist, independent book marketer. In this podcast, she reveals her inside secrets on how you can publish a book to increase your writing revenue. Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at ...

Oct 01, 202343 min
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