

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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 1, 2020 • 20min
6 things you need to do as soon as you start freelancing
Whether you've been forced into freelancing from a redundancy or recently made the decision to start working for yourself, it can be a learning curve. In this episode, we share the 6 things we think you need to do to get set up, establish your systems and start earning money.

May 24, 2020 • 16min
Why it's a great time to do an online course (and what to consider)
Found yourself with less work and more time on your hands? During coronavirus, many online courses are free or heavily discounted, making now a great time to plug the gaps in your skillset. We share our experiences and let you know about a master list of courses to get you started.

May 17, 2020 • 23min
Awkward conversations: How to deal with them as a freelancer
The longer you're in business, the more clients you'll come across - and the more awkward conversations you may need to have. In this episode we look at some common freelance issues that can crop up as part of your client management and suggest ways to handle each scenario.

May 11, 2020 • 20min
How to write faster so you can make more money
Want to be able to write content faster so you can take on more work and make more money? In this episode we share a heap of time-saving strategies that we use ourselves - and explain why they help to ramp up your output.

May 4, 2020 • 19min
8 ways to find work you may not have considered
Whether it's spruiking yourself on your socials, building a Reddit profile, finding new outlets to pitch to or teaming up with other creatives, here are eight ways to pick up work you might not have tried.

Apr 26, 2020 • 29min
Essential SEO for content writers, featuring Kate Toon
We're stoked to bring our first ever guest, SEO queen Kate Toon, to this podcast episode. We chat to Kate about what journos, copywriters and content producers need to know about SEO, why it's essential to have an understanding of it if you're writing for content clients and how you can get started and build on your knowledge as you go. A must-listen if you've put SEO into the 'too hard' basket!

Apr 18, 2020 • 17min
How content marketing can pay your bills
If you're looking for an income stream beyond journalism, content marketing could be just the ticket - it's a form of marketing writing that's designed to generate interest in a brand or its products or services. And it's an easy transition for anyone used to writing features for a living. In this episode, we talk about what content marketing is, how to find this type of work and what it pays.

Apr 12, 2020 • 24min
A freelancer's guide to pitching - our top tips
In today's episode, we talk pitching - why it's important to do it, researching markets before you pitch and the many (many!) different types of content or services you could pitch right now. We also look at how often you need to follow up on your pitches, and the importance of having a system for monitoring your pitching efforts.

Apr 6, 2020 • 22min
6 ways to start future-proofing your freelance business
Work or no work, there are a number of things you can start doing now to future-proof your freelance business. In this episode, we talk about how to navigate the new landscape by expanding your network, reaching out to clients, upskilling and much more.

Mar 30, 2020 • 25min
Survival mode and adjusting to the new normal
It's easy to get bogged down in despair while in lockdown and feeling like your business is in free fall. But taking steps now to sort out your finances and start thinking about getting your business hat on is what freelancers across the board need to do. We talk about how our week has been and how we're adjusting to the new state of play.


