x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Content Byte

Rachel Smith and Lynne Testoni

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, plus special guests, 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.

business careers

All Episodes

50:32

Dan Kaufman on the craft of writing and editing

The Content Byte ·

2025/04/13

This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with former journalist, now educator, writer and editor, Dan Kaufman, about something they all feel passionately about - the craft of writing and editing. We have a lot of feelings about this topic, as we chat about the essential skills freelance writers need, including: the importance of mastering the basics of writing the declining emphasis on subediting and what it means for journalism the need for critical thinking, attention to detail,

en-au

47:53

Michal Eisik on building a kickass portfolio website...

The Content Byte ·

2025/04/06

This week Rachel and Lynne are chatting about freelancer websites with Michal Eisik, a copywriter and course creator who shares her expertise on creating effective websites and freelance portfolios. We discuss: the importance of having a well-designed, easy-to-update website the value of client testimonials, and how to manage clippings and case studies website analytics and user behaviour whether you should display pricing on your website Michal also provides insights into different approaches to

en-au

30:11

Josephine Barrett on a career as a screenwriter

The Content Byte ·

2025/03/30

This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with successful screenwriter Josephine Barrett. Josephine is an acclaimed novelist, teacher and script writer, writing and editing successful TV shows, series and movies. She talks about: The difference between script writing and script editing How Home & Away helped her refine her craft How she secures regular work How teaching writing inspires and helps her to be a better writer How she makes a good living as a creative How she organises her

en-au

46:57

Sara Howard on taking your business Beyond Solo – how...

The Content Byte ·

2025/03/23

This week, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with content creator, agency owner and now author, Sara Howard. Sara has just released her first book, Beyond Solo, which is the guide she wished she had when she started her agency - all about how to grow your business and all the different models you can choose from. Sara chats about: What success looks like – and why it means different things to different people Different agency models, from collectives to companies, to hybrid models How she created a

en-au

46:49

Publisher Rob Johnson on how to pitch a story to an...

The Content Byte ·

2025/03/16

This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with one of their favourite editors, Rob Johnson. A former journalist and now publisher at Engage Media, Rob talks about what he values from freelance writers and why editors like himself rely on good pitches from their contributors to put a great publication together. He chats about: Whether it's ever acceptable to use AI in a pitch or a story How ideas from freelancers help him as an editor Why he welcomes a new angle on an old idea Why a

en-au

39:46

Helen Dehen on how investing in your business can...

The Content Byte ·

2025/03/09

This week Rachel & Lynne chat with communications consultant and writer Helen Dehen, talking about her commitment to upskilling herself and the many courses she has done - which have helped to drive her business and profitability. During our chat, Helen talks about her early career in TV journalism and her move to freelancing when her twins were born. She shares some of the courses she did in the the early days and how they positioned her to build a strong and successful freelance writing business

en-au

47:29

Petra Buchanan on the challenges of women working in...

The Content Byte ·

2025/03/02

This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne chat with Petra Buchanan, an executive coach and mentor and company director with an international executive career in media, technology and business sectors. We talk about: the changing role of women within media what a non-executive director role involves being the only woman in decision-making rooms mistakes freelancers make common challenges facing women in media careers the importance of good mentors, and so much more Here are some of the links from

en-au

45:48

Alana Wulff on freelance contracts (and why you can’t...

The Content Byte ·

2025/02/23

This week, we talk to agency owner and copywriter Alana Wulff about contracts: what they are, why you need them, and the stuff that can go wrong with and without one. Tune in to hear: How Alana started using contracts in her business and why Why a contract is a living document you need to keep updating (especially when something on a project goes awry and you want to protect yourself in future) How having a lawyer in your back pocket can be very useful (and what to budget for) Actual contract

en-au

51:14

Treasa Edmond on offering content strategy as a service

The Content Byte ·

2025/02/16

Have we got a treat for you! This episode with content strategist, business coach and consultant Treasa Edmond is full of gold for any freelancer wanting to move up the value chain and secure more high-paying clients. In our wide-ranging chat, Treasa talks about: The different between offering content strategy and a strategic consulting Which one is an entry point for high-paying work How strategy can open the gates to providing more effective content How and why value pricing is better for this

en-au

44:07

Sue Williams on being a successful freelance writer...

The Content Byte ·

2025/02/09

This week on the podcast, Rachel & Lynne's guest is freelance writer and author Sue Williams. Sue talks about her long and successful career as a writer and journalist and how it led to non-fiction books and now historical novels. During the episode, Sue talks about: How her career started and when she moved to freelancing Her love of travel writing and why she still does journalism Why following a brief and making it easy for editors will give you more work Why it's hard to pitch story ideas, and

en-au

34:31

Carolyn Tate on moving from being a freelancer to...

The Content Byte ·

2025/02/02

This week we are chatting with Carolyn Tate, a former journalist turned agency founder. Carolyn talks about her career as a freelancer, setting up her agency, and what she has learned along the way. During our discussion, we talked about: How the way she worked changed after an ADHD diagnosis How her freelance career took off after she started thinking like a business How she learned that rejection is just part of freelancing The challenges of hiring and managing staff How and where she finds

en-au

55:12

Karen Eck on why freelancers need to be visible

The Content Byte ·

2025/01/26

This week on the podcast, we are chatting with public relations expert, strategic advisor, and entrepreneur Karen Eck, talking about how freelancers can improve their visibility - and stand out in what is now a competitive marketplace. Karen talks about: What her career in TV publicity has taught her about visibility Why your work won't always just speak for itself Why you need to be 'asset-ready' How to write an effective bio How and why networking can be a powerful tool to secure more clients

en-au

55:20

Conquering LinkedIn, finding clients and the power of...

The Content Byte ·

2025/01/19

We are back from our break! And we have a great episode for our return - featuring content strategist and LinkedIn mentor Beck Cofrancesco. Beck talks about how to make LinkedIn work for you, how to find clients and why she started a local business meet-up group. During our chat, we talk about: Why she started freelancing Her new LinkedIn newsletter and why she started it How her newsletter has informed (and changed) her LinkedIn strategy Why she has two newsletters Her favourite client-finding

en-au

30:02

RE-RELEASE Working as an agency copywriter with...

The Content Byte ·

2024/12/18

RE-RELEASE. Continuing with our summer series of re-running our favourite and most popular podcast episodes, we are sharing an episode from August 2022, with agency copywriter Damien Whelan. If you're as Mad Men-obsessed as we are, you're probably keen to know how copywriting on the agency side differs from other types of writing that copywriters do. In our chat, we talk about: How did he get into agencies? How does he come up with clever one-liners? What's it like working on an ad campaign for a

en-au

39:49

RE-RELEASE Grant Writing with Martina Donkers

The Content Byte ·

2024/12/12

This week, we are starting a special summer series, repeating some of our most popular episodes. First up is our most successful episode ever - with grant writer Martina Donkers. In an inspiring talk, Martina shares her story about finding her niche, how grant writing works and why she loves being a digital nomad - all from a hammock in regional Western Australia! We chat about: How and why she decided to specialise in grant writing The different sorts of grants available What makes grant writing

en-au

47:32

Writing for purpose-driven brands with Carmen Hawker

The Content Byte ·

2024/12/01

In what is probably our last episode for 2024, Rachel and Lynne chat with copywriter, campaigner and brand strategist Carmen Hawker. Carmen writes for purpose-driven businesses and B Corps from sustainable fashion to ethical finance. She talks about how she found her niche, why she loves doing this sort of work and how she makes it pay a reasonable wage. In this revealing episode, she talks about: The difference between not-for-profit and purpose-led organisations Where and how she finds her

en-au

47:26

Why You Might be Your Own Worst Enemy When it Comes...

The Content Byte ·

2024/11/24

This week Rachel and Lynne are chatting with Amy Posner, also known as The Client Whisperer, talking about the mistakes many of us make when working with clients, especially at the beginning of our freelance career. Amy is a business coach for freelancers and has some great information on how to find good clients who will pay good money for your work. She talks about: The different types of clients you might encounter How to find the clients right for you How to make more money and deliver value

en-au

37:29

What it’s like to be a B2B tech writer with Rosalyn Page

The Content Byte ·

2024/11/17

This week Rachel and Lynne chat with a good friend and colleague - B2B tech writer Rosalyn Page. Rosalyn talks about her background in IT and tech magazines, how and why she transitioned to freelance work and all that involves. During our chat, Ros talks about: How she got into tech writing Where she finds her work The pros and cons of writing for agencies Whether tech writing is a lucrative niche Covering conferences in her tech niche Writing thought leadership pieces and white papers How AI can

en-au

44:28

Building a Sustainable Freelance Career in a Gig...

The Content Byte ·

2024/11/10

This week Rachel and Lynne are chatting with Lizzie Mulherin, a freelance writer, brand strategist, and travel author. Lizzie shares her career journey and chats about: Having a business mindset when it comes to freelancing How to mix content work and journalism How to boost your confidence as a freelancer Whether you need to build a personal brand to make good money Common mistakes she sees writers making How to get the most out of AI Whether it is possible to make a good living through Substack

en-au

58:14

How to be paid well with Sue White

The Content Byte ·

2024/11/03

This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with freelance writer, journalist, consultant and media trainer Sue White. As a highly successful freelancer, Sue is all about knowing your own worth and charging accordingly. She shares her career journey, why it's important to grow and adapt as time goes on and why you should never accept underpaid jobs. She talks about: Where and how she finds her clients Why journalists need to do copywriting and content to make a good living How she

en-au

293 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...