The Content Byte

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