The Content Byte

Lynne Testoni and Rachel Smith
undefined
Aug 24, 2025 • 41min

Joanna Savill on blending journalism with events

In this week's episode, Rachel and Lynne chat with Joanna Savill, a bit of a legend in the food industry. Joanna shares her career evolution from subtitle translator to a food journalism icon, including her work with SBS TV and The Sydney Morning Herald.   The discussion covers: The transformation of Australia's food media over the years Integrating immersive experiences in events How to leverage your transferable skills  Managing the ups and downs of freelance life The early days of food websites Joanna also reflects on her role in community-focused government work and her current focus on sustainability in hospitality.   Connect with Joanna via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joanna_savill/    Visit The Content Byte website for a transcription of this episode: https://thecontentbyte.com/episodes/    Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com  Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co
undefined
Aug 17, 2025 • 53min

Jane Manning on being a director and writer for television and film

This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with award-winning director and writer Jane Manning. The discussion delves into Jane's impressive career in television and documentary films, which includes being one of the early female directors on Home & Away (and why programs like that matter), as well as significant projects such as Who Do You Think You Are? and Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation. During our chat, Jane shares: Her journey from documentary filmmaking to TV drama Her creative processes The challenges of storytelling in both documentary and drama How a TV series or documentary comes to life What it's like being in a writer's room Advice for freelancers looking to transition into television writing and production Connect with Jane via her website: https://www.thresholdpics.com/ or via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-manning-98079321/  Visit The Content Byte website for a transcription of this episode: https://thecontentbyte.com/episodes/  Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au  for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co   
undefined
Aug 10, 2025 • 34min

Better Homes & Gardens editor Megan Osborne on working in and for magazines

This week on the podcast, hosts Rachel and Lynne chat with Megan Osborne, editor of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Megan shares her career journey from food writing to leading large-scale content strategies at prominent brands and now to editing Australia's largest circulation (paid) magazine.  She discusses: the evolving role of a magazine editor the integration of print and digital content why you need to understand audience data leveraging social media to engage younger audiences what she's looking for from freelance contributors (and even shares her email address!) Megan offers invaluable advice for freelancers aiming to get published and shares her favourite productivity tools and tech tips. Connect with Megan via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/osbornemegan/  Visit The Content Byte website for a transcription of this episode: https://thecontentbyte.com/episodes/ Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au  for the details.  Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co 
undefined
Aug 3, 2025 • 49min

Stop the Scroll: Evelina Kaganovitch on How Clear Copywriting Lands Clients

This week, Rachel and Lynne chat with Evelina Kaganovitch, a high-conversion fashion copywriter, about the intricacies and strategies of freelance copywriting. Evelina shares her journey from sustainable fashion to copywriting and discusses the importance of clear messaging over using too much jargon.  The conversation covers: Niching down in the freelance world Using social listening tools and AI to improve copy quality Finding the balance between the personal touch and technological help How to create effective email marketing strategies Maintaining trust and community in your audience ... and practical tips for freelancers who are navigating the evolving creator economy Connect with Evelina Kaganovitch (and find her downloads) on her website: https://www.evelinakreative.com/  or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelinakreative/  Visit The Content Byte website for a transcription of this episode: https://thecontentbyte.com/episodes/  Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co
undefined
Jul 27, 2025 • 48min

Sabrina Rogers-Anderson on how to niche down and charge more

In this episode, Rachel and Lynne delve back into the topic of niching down as a freelancer with Sabrina Rogers-Anderson, a health and fitness writer. The discussion covers the challenges and benefits of finding and committing to a specific niche, how to charge what you're worth, and managing finances. Sabrina shares her journey from generalist to specialist, overcoming personal adversities, and the pivotal role a business coach played in her transformation. The episode also touches upon the impact of AI on health writing, the importance of credible, evidence-based content, and she shares practical tips for maintaining a steady cash flow as a freelancer. Connect with Sabrina through her website: https://sabrinarogersanderson.com/ or via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinarogersanderson/   Visit The Content Byte website for a transcription of this episode: https://thecontentbyte.com/episodes/ Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au  for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co 
undefined
Jul 20, 2025 • 43min

Nadine Nethery on how freelancers can retain customers

We all know that it’s so much easier to keep your existing clients rather than constantly hustle for new ones, so this week Rachel & Lynne are chatting with customer retention expert Nadine Nethery. Nadine, an audience-driven copywriter and retention strategist, discusses the importance of retaining clients over constantly hustling for new ones. It's a great episode, as Nadine shares insights on: How to create personalised customer experiences Using tools for personal video messages Automating customer touchpoints with email marketing platforms. The value of referral partner programs  How AI is impacting freelance copywriters How freelancers can position themselves as strategic partners rather than transactional vendors Listen to Nadine's podcast, What Would They Do here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-would-they-do-the-customer-experience-podcast/id1796323283 Connect with Nadine at www.candocontent.com And find her Virtual Scratchie Card: https://link.candocontent.com/content-byte-scratchie   Visit The Content Byte website for a transcription of this episode:  https://thecontentbyte.com/episodes/    Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com   Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au      Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au      Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au ), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co
undefined
Jul 13, 2025 • 49min

Steven Lewis on using ChatGPT as your marketing brain

In this episode of The Content Byte podcast, hosts Rachel Smith and Lynne Testoni discuss the impact of AI on freelance writing and marketing with guest Steven Lewis. Steven, a seasoned journalist and copywriter, offers a deep dive into using AI, specifically custom GPT, to streamline marketing tasks for freelancers. He explains: the practical steps to creating a custom GPT how it can maintain consistent client communication how it can give feedback on your copy to ensure it is on-brand how it can help freelancers focus on high-value creative tasks the ethical considerations of AI use and the importance of human connection in an increasingly automated world Connect with Steven on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenlewissydney/  The link to the course he talks about is:   https://aicmocourse.com   And listeners can get a 10% discount using the coupon code CONTENTBYTE25 Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com  Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au  Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au   Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co 
undefined
Jul 6, 2025 • 50min

Juliet Rogers on how to get published and what makes a successful book

This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with book publisher and author's advocate, Juliet Rogers. Juliet talks about the publishing industry, what has changed over the years and how you can push through all the noise if you want to secure a book deal. She also shares: Stories of some of her biggest publishing successes, including touring with Salman Rushdie, working with John Grisham and seeing Heather Morris find international publishing success at the age of 63 When and why you should use an agent How to have your manuscript discovered within the slush pile Why you need to read widely in order to write well Whether you need a public profile to secure a book deal If you can make a good living as a novelist When and if self-publishing is worth it   Connect with Juliet via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-rogers-84598328/  Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au  Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au  for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co 
undefined
Jun 29, 2025 • 55min

Working creatively in a regulated industry with Amy Hadley

In this episode of The Content Byte podcast, Rachel and Lynne explore the unique challenges of copywriting in the beauty industry with guest Amy Hadley, a beauty copywriter and journalist.   Amy discusses balancing creativity with stringent industry regulations, provides insights into the importance of visibility in finances for freelancers, and highlights how her qualifications and self-taught knowledge have set her apart in her field.   There's so much to learn about the nuances of compliant beauty copywriting, maintaining client relationships, and the benefits of niching down in your freelance business.   Connect with Amy via her website: https://hadleyco.com.au/    or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-hadley-646762b4/    Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com  Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au  Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au  Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co
undefined
Jun 22, 2025 • 34min

Nikita Morell on niche-ing down and being an expert

In this episode of The Content Byte podcast, Rachel and Lynne dive into the art of niching down in freelance copywriting with guest Nikita Morell. Nikita, a copywriting and messaging strategist specialising in architecture, discusses the value of finding a niche, the benefits of having a focused clientele, and her journey from big brand marketing to freelancing for architects. She shares insights on: managing projects using AI tools for copywriting, strategies for building and maintaining a strong client pipeline.  the importance of storytelling in newsletters and leveraging technology such as Clickup and ActiveCampaign to streamline workflow Connect with Nikita via LinkedIn, or through her website at https://nikitamorell.com/  Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au Rachel's List www.rachelslist.com.au  If you have questions you'd like us to answer in our next Q&A episode, just send them here. Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (www.rounded.com.au), an easy invoicing and accounting solution that helps freelancers run their businesses with confidence. Looking to take advantage of the discount for Rachel's List Gold Members? Email us at: hello@rachelslist.com.au for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co   

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app