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 Weav...
Jul 09, 2021•42 min•Season 7Ep. 12
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' taugh...
Jul 04, 2021•23 min•Season 7Ep. 11
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 ongoi...
Jun 28, 2021•40 min•Season 7Ep. 10
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 - ...
Jun 21, 2021•27 min•Season 7Ep. 9
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 res...
Jun 14, 2021•18 min•Season 7Ep. 8
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 bee...
May 31, 2021•17 min•Season 7Ep. 7
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!
May 23, 2021•24 min•Season 7Ep. 6
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...
May 17, 2021•41 min•Season 7Ep. 6
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. ...
May 10, 2021•30 min•Season 7Ep. 4
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 ...
May 02, 2021•32 min•Season 7Ep. 3
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 ca...
Apr 26, 2021•31 min•Season 7Ep. 4
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 y...
Apr 18, 2021•25 min•Season 7Ep. 1
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...
Apr 12, 2021•33 min•Season 6Ep. 12
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....
Mar 28, 2021•28 min•Season 6Ep. 11
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...
Mar 21, 2021•41 min•Season 6Ep. 10
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.
Mar 14, 2021•26 min•Season 6Ep. 9
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!
Mar 07, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 8
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 gove...
Feb 28, 2021•38 min•Season 6Ep. 7
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...
Feb 22, 2021•27 min•Season 6Ep. 6
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 busines...
Feb 14, 2021•37 min•Season 6Ep. 5
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...
Feb 08, 2021•19 min•Season 6Ep. 4
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-selle...
Feb 01, 2021•49 min•Season 6Ep. 3
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 mome...
Jan 24, 2021•26 min•Season 6Ep. 2
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.
Jan 17, 2021•20 min•Season 6Ep. 1
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!
Dec 23, 2020•15 min•Season 5Ep. 13
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 wha...
Dec 06, 2020•20 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Pitching. It's something we all need to be doing as freelance writers if we want to ensure our pipeline of work is always full. And in today's episode, we welcome veteran journo and university lecturer John Burfitt to share his pitching system, ways to generate ideas, tips on following up and dealing with rejection, and much, much more. A must-listen if you want more pitching success and regular commissions landing in your in-box.
Nov 30, 2020•40 min•Season 5Ep. 11
In this episode, we talk about our experiences freelancing and working around children - the childcare we've chosen and why, the government help we've tapped into and other interesting tips for freelancers who may be thinking about starting a family.
Nov 23, 2020•26 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Are you a freelancer with a website who struggles to blog regularly? This week, we have a longer episode for you that's packed with gold from digital marketer and trainer Brook McCarthy. Brook talks to us about why blogging is so essential, the mistakes writers make when blogging and topics we should be considering. Plus so much more. Grab the show notes at rachelslist.com.au
Nov 16, 2020•45 min•Season 5Ep. 9
A shrinking media landscape was one of the reasons journalist Nicola Conville started to explore other career options - and she'd always wanted to work for in the NFP sector. In this episode, she shares how she got her job as a content manager at the UNHCR, which skills of hers have been most useful, and her advice for other journos at the career crossroads.
Nov 09, 2020•23 min•Season 5Ep. 8
