This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne welcome back Lindy Alexander, to discuss how pitching is changing for freelancers and what it takes to get editors' attention.

Lindy is an award-winning travel writer and founder of The Freelancer's Year and she explains why she created courses after readers asked about her pitching strategy, and describes the tighter commissioning landscape as budgets stagnate and editors become more time-poor.

She outlines common pitching mistakes, including pitching broad topics instead of specific stories, writing lyrical but unclear subject lines, and not knowing a publication's voice, tone, readership, or sections.

Lindy shares what gets commissioned now: concise, clearly angled pitches tailored to a particular vertical, with relevant sources where needed, and how strong pitches can build relationships with editors, even without prior contact. She also covers following up, learning from rejections, and balancing travel writing with running her Travel Writer Accelerator course.

Connect with Lindy via:

The Freelancer's Year The Travel Writer Accelerator Here are also the links to the call outs she mentions: Study Hall newsletter Travel writing call outs on IG 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: [email protected] for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

This week, Rachel and Lynne discuss podcasting as part of a freelance content strategy with guest Caroline Winter, a former radio journalist and co-founder of POD Talk.

Caroline shares lessons from creating her eight-part narrative series Sick as a Dog about the veterinary industry's mental health crisis and explains how her agency finds clients and produces podcasts for organisations.

She outlines what new podcasters need, including clarity of focus, defined audience, strong preparation, hosting skills, consistency, and good audio quality — plus practical ways to test an idea's longevity. Caroline also covers agency realities such as pricing, client psychology, measures of success beyond monetisation, emerging podcast trends, and tools and habits that help her work efficiently.

Connect with Caroline here: https://www.podtalk.com.au/

Listen to her work here:

Sick As A Dog https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/sick-as-a-dog/id1675843578

The Widow Diaries https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-widow-diaries/id1820862923 Our People (CALHN) https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/our-people-central-to-healthcare/id1686295859 AgVic Talk https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/agvic-talk/id1528428798 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: [email protected] for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

This week, Rachel and Lynne are without a guest, as they share six small, actionable things they wish they'd done sooner in their respective freelance businesses, to become more visible, win better work, and run their businesses better.

They discuss:

• How investing in professional headshots boosted Rachel's confidence and credibility
• How Lynne benefited from switching from a free Gmail address to a custom domain email
• Why Rachel put practical systems in place using tools like templates, trackers, Moxie, and Trello
• How Lynne found value in attending paid conferences and networking events to build relationships and create indirect opportunities
• Why packaging her services (including creating a services guide) helped Rachel clarify offerings and pricing
• And how regularly increasing rates – even in small increments – can keep up with rising costs while reinforcing value

The professional photographer we mention is Simona Janek: https://simonajanek.com.au/

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: [email protected] for the details.

Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

This week, Rachel and Lynne chat with Jo Butler about switching careers from book publishing to marketing and communications at the University of Sydney.

Jo shares her journey of nearly 30 years as a book editor, publisher and literary agent, and explains why she wanted a new challenge, as well as the appeal of more stable income and working with colleagues again.

She discusses:

• how publishing has changed over the decades

• what she misses about editing

• what she wishes authors understood about publishing

• why comms still feels like storytelling, and how her skills feel more appreciated in a university environment

• how she mapped her transferable skills for the move

• key skills for comms roles

• what her week looks like in internal communications

• the learning curve in university comms

• her ongoing connection to publishing through teaching in the Masters of Publishing program, and what she covers

• the 'hard truths' she shares with students

• AI in publishing

Connect with Jo via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-butler-bishops/

Read her blog on Rachel's List about book editing here: https://rachelslist.com.au/so-you-think-you-can-be-a-book-editor/

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: [email protected] for the details.

Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

This week Rachel and Lynne chat with psychologist Sabina Read about catastrophising, perfectionism and the freelance stress spiral.

Sabina explains catastrophising as a cognitive distortion where we jump to the worst-case scenario and treat thoughts as facts, and why it can show up more in freelancing due to a lack of workplace "guardrails" such as regular income and employer support.

They discuss:

• the difference between genuine, evidence-based concerns (like fewer jobs or more competition) and catastrophising
• how scarcity vs abundance mindsets influence freelance anxiety
• why perfectionism fuels anxiety, and why "good enough is good enough"
• how the brain reinforces threat-focused neural pathways – and how to build new ones by noticing what's working
• practical circuit breakers and using breath to come down from fight-or-flight before making decisions
• how avoidance fuels fear, and how resilience is built by tolerating discomfort without over-attaching to outcomes
• being discerning with social media and algorithm-driven negativity
• clarifying what you want to move toward (not just what you want to escape), and the power of saying no to misaligned work

Find Sabina at sabinareadpsychology.com.au

She also hosts the Human Cogs podcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/human-cogs-podcast/id1525840415 and The Separation Guide Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-separation-guide-a-starting-point-for/id1542151561

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: [email protected] for the details.

Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne talk to Phoebe Hartley about her creative journey from filmmaking to journalism, and now to launching her own print magazine, Billy.

Phoebe shares insights on:

• the challenges of career reinvention
• transitioning from film to journalism
• launching and running a local magazine
• balancing work and family life in a rural setting
• and the value of community support and collaboration

Listen in for tips on creative flexibility, managing imposter syndrome, and navigating the evolving freelance landscape.

Connect with Phoebe via www.billypress.com or www.phoebehartley.com

www.instagram.com/billypress_/

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: [email protected] for the details.

Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

In our first episode for 2026, Rachel and Lynne discuss self-publishing and book coaching with guest Anna Featherstone.

Anna, a mentor, book coach, editor, and author of five nonfiction books, shares insights about the self-publishing process, including the importance of producing a quality product, effective marketing strategies, and the realities of the publishing industry.

Key topics include:

• how to approach book cover design
• understanding the difference between traditional and indie publishing
• the role of authors in marketing their work
• tips for getting books into libraries and literary festivals
• the importance of having a clear purpose for writing
• why you need to continue to improve your writing

Connect with Anna via her website: https://annafeatherstone.com/

https://www.boldauthors.com/

Blog posts on Rachel's List featuring Anna:

https://www.rachelslist.com.au/blog/how-an-email-led-to-a-masterclass-a-book-a-summit-appearance-and-so-much-more/

https://www.rachelslist.com.au/toolkit/product/self-publishing-bundle-anna-featherstone/

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: [email protected] for the details.

Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

This week is the last of our Best of 2025 series and in this episode podcast, Rachel and Lynne 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 GPTs, 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: [email protected] for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

In another of our podcast summer series, we revisit a great episode 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.

Helen talks about:

• The value of investing in professional development and networking
• How it gave her confidence in the early days of freelancing
• What the return on investment has been with some of the courses she has done
• Her experience with continuous learning, sharing insights from her experiences with various courses, conferences, and coaching programs
• Her favourite courses and what she wouldn't do again

Connect with Helen via her website: https://www.hydoralane.com.au/

or via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-dehen/

Find Rachel www.rachelsmith.com.au

Find Lynne www.lynnetestoni.com

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: [email protected] for the details.

Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

Our summer series featuring our most popular episodes of 2025 continues this week as Rachel and Lynne discuss essential health habits for freelancers with guest Lucie Robazza.

Lucie, a certified health coach and personal trainer, shares practical tips on:

• Incorporating simple exercise routines • The importance of protein-rich diets • How to maintain good posture for productivity and long-term health • How good health can make you more efficient - and make more money • Quick and healthy snack ideas The episode covers habit-building techniques, such as micro habits, and emphasises the significance of sunshine and hydration in everyday routines. Perfect for writers who spend long hours at their desks looking to improve both their physical well-being and business performance. Her methods are easy, achievable and shame-free. Download Lucie's free 5-day challenge, https://www.strenxia.com/writer-reset Connect with Lucie via her website: https://www.strenxia.com/ 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: [email protected] for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co