So you want to be a copywriter with Bernadette Schwerdt

Copy School & Australian Writers' Centre
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So you want to be a copywriter with Bernadette Schwerdt

Join Australia’s most popular copywriting coach Bernadette Schwerdt as she takes you deep inside the world of how to be a professional copywriter. She’ll bring you the latest in how to get started, find work, build a brand, make money, manage your mindset and more. This behind the scenes look at how to become a top copywriter is the perfect pick-me-up for any writer who wants to earn more doing something they love. This podcast is by Australian Writers' Centre and Copy School.

  1. COPYWRITER 079: Discover how to scale your writing business and possible turn it into an agency

    3 DAYS AGO

    COPYWRITER 079: Discover how to scale your writing business and possible turn it into an agency

    Would you like to scale your writing business and maybe turn it into an agency? Would you like to have other writers working for you so you don’t have to do the actual writing? Or maybe you’d like to get work through a writer’s agency? That’s what I’ll be talking about today with Sarah Howard, the founder of Writers Australia, a content writing agency with some of the biggest brands on its copywriting books. In this episode, Sara Howard shares her journey from solo freelancer to agency founder, offering practical insights and strategies for freelancers who are ready to scale up.  Here’s what you’ll learn: How to start a copywriting agency  How to find new business How to shift your mindset for growth How to know when to expand beyond solo work How to make your first hires How to choose the right personality fit for your team and business How to maintain work-life balance as you scale How to grow exponentially and scale/streamline your writing process How to plan your exit or succession strategy Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min
  2. COPYWRITER 078: How to use AI to enhance your copywriting skills with Leanne Shelton

    29 SEPT

    COPYWRITER 078: How to use AI to enhance your copywriting skills with Leanne Shelton

    In this episode, I chat with Leanne Shelton, founder of HumanEdge AI Training, about how copywriters can harness the power of AI to write copy quickly and accurately, without losing the human touch.  What you’ll learn: How to overcome fear of AI: Discover practical tips to help you embrace AI as a tool that complements, rather than replaces, your creative abilities. How to train AI tools for your needs: Learn how to customise AI tools to fit your unique brand voice and specific client needs, and how to turn AI into your digital assistant rather than your copywriting competitor. How to use AI effectively in content creation: Get a step-by-step roadmap for setting up the right AI tools for your writing projects, including how to brief the AI tools using the right prompts, and how to refine the output to match your voice and creative standards. How to avoid common AI pitfalls: Discover why and how AI "hallucinates," and other common mistakes that can trip you up, and learn how to use prompts that ensure the AI tools delivers you content that is authoritative and credible from the stated sources. How to stay ahead of AI trends: Gain insights into how to keep up with rapid changes in AI technology without feeling overwhelmed, and get a curated list of the best tools for copywriters. How to integrate AI into small business content strategies: Discover how to use AI to generate content for your clients - from generating ideas to crafting headlines and more, including how to write an entire campaign deck in a few minutes - all while maintaining a personal, human touch. How to position yourlf as a Human-Centric AI expert: Learn why balancing AI with human creativity is crucial in today’s marketing landscape and how to position yourself as a leader in AI-enhanced copywriting. Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min
  3. COPYWRITER 077: How to charge what you're worth with Andrew Griffiths

    8 SEPT

    COPYWRITER 077: How to charge what you're worth with Andrew Griffiths

    Do you struggle to price your copywriting services? Do you constantly undercharge and feel undervalued? Do you see others less talented than you getting paid more> If any of that resonates with you and you feel just a little bit annoyed that you’re not getting paid what you’re worth, this is the episode is for you! Today, we dive into a topic that many creatives struggle with: pricing their services. In our chat today Andrew Griffiths shares his insights on how to charge what you're worth and build a successful, profitable copywriting business. Andrew is a business coach and the author of a book called ‘Someone has to be the most expensive – why not make it you’, one of the best books I’ve read for how to change your mindset and management practices around pricing.  With decades of experience on how to build a high paying clientele, his practical advice will give you a blueprint for how you can always get paid top dollar for the work you do. In this episode, Andrew discusses: His journey from poverty mentality to running a successful business The importance of mindset and self-worth in pricing your services Strategies for building credibility and showcasing your value How to handle pricing conversations with potential clients Practical tips for increasing your rates and attracting better clients Why consistency in your business is critical to success How to differentiate yourself in a competitive market The importance of doing what others aren't willing to do Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  4. COPYWRITER 076: How to build a six-figure copywriting business with Sophia Auld

    18 AUG

    COPYWRITER 076: How to build a six-figure copywriting business with Sophia Auld

    Would you like to earn a six figure income from copywriting?  Would you like to leverage your existing career to help you find new copywriting clients?  Would you like to write about something you love and get paid well to do so? If any of that resonates, this episode is for you. In this episode I talk to Sophia Auld, a health and medical copywriter who turned her 25 years of healthcare experience into a successful copywriting career. Sophia shares her unique journey and provides valuable insights on how to pivot your career and harness your background to succeed in the copywriting industry. You’ll learn how to: Transition from one career to another Leverage your existing skills to find lucrative copywriting clients Price your services Choose a niche that inspires you and pays you well Cold call clients using an easy-to-follow email pitch template Create a point of difference from other copywriters in your niche Discover your ‘why’ that will help you overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome Market your business on a budget Use simple business development techniques to find a consistent stream of new clients Avoid rookie errors when starting out Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
  5. COPYWRITER 075: How to niche your copywriting business with Bernadette Schwerdt

    28 JULY

    COPYWRITER 075: How to niche your copywriting business with Bernadette Schwerdt

    If you’ve ever wondered what niching is, or how to niche your copywriting business, this is the episode for you. Whether you're considering specialising in a specific industry or want to understand the benefits and drawbacks of niching, this episode provides valuable insights and practical advice to help you make an informed decision. In this episode I talk about: Copy vs Content   Understanding the critical differences between copywriting (selling and persuasion) and content writing (informing and entertaining) What is niching and the kinds of niches available Social Media: Posts, videos, ad copy Email: Newsletters, sequences, sales campaigns Content Marketing: Blogs, case studies, white papers SEO: Web pages, blogs, title tags Ecommerce: Product descriptions, category pages, sales emails Brand Storytelling: Brand narratives, tone of voice, case studies Sales Copywriting: Sales pages, landing pages, direct mail copy Video: YouTube scripts, webinars, course content AI Writing: Emails, product descriptions, technical documents Examples of copywriters who have niched Learn about those who have successfully niched in various industries, how they did it and why Why less glamorous but lucrative industries can be a good source of niche work The pros of niches: Easier business development Reduced time learning new topics Enhanced expertise and reputation Potential for higher fees The cons of niches: Limited variety Risk of boredom Dependence on one customer or industry Time required to establish recognition How to get started in your niche Using the 'hedgehog' concept to identify your niche Leveraging platforms like Eventbrite to discover niche opportunities Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min
  6. COPYWRITER 074: How to be (more) creative with award-winning copywriter and art director Adrian Elton.

    7 JULY

    COPYWRITER 074: How to be (more) creative with award-winning copywriter and art director Adrian Elton.

    Adrian Elton is an award-winning creative who has worked for some of the world’s biggest brands including Disney, Sesame Street, Australia Post, Fairfax and many others.  Adrian’s career journey is as eclectic as it is inspiring. He started by studying interior design, transitioned to graphic design, evolved into an art director, became a musician, and finally found his calling as a copywriter. His work spans multiple sectors, and he’s known for his creative strategy and compelling copywriting. Tune in to discover how Adrian’s diverse background shapes his approach to copywriting and learn valuable tips for creating award winning copy. In this episode, you will learn how to: 1. How to Identify and Develop Your Creative Talents: Discover the steps Adrian took to transition from interior design to graphic design, and eventually to copywriting. Learn how diverse creative skills can be integrated and leveraged across different mediums. 2. How to Break Into the Copywriting Industry: Gain insights into Adrian’s unconventional journey into copywriting and how he turned opportunities into long-term success. Understand the importance of taking on different roles and projects to build a robust portfolio. 3. How to Create Impactful Brand Messages: Explore Adrian’s approach to balancing design and copywriting to create powerful and cohesive brand narratives. Learn the significance of headlines and brand positioning in advertising. 4. How to Leverage Short-Form Content: Understand why Adrian prefers short, impactful copy and how to excel in creating concise and compelling messages. Get tips on writing effective headlines and brand positioning lines. 5. How to Apply Creative Philosophies: Discover the influence of Bauhaus architect Adolf Loos on Adrian’s work and the principle of "God is in the details." Learn how meticulousness in creative decisions can elevate the quality of your work. 6. How to Excel in Outdoor Advertising: Learn why billboards and outdoor advertising are considered the primary unit of advertising   Get tips on how to craft messages that capture attention. 7. How to Use Songwriting to Enhance Copywriting: Understand how songwriting helps develop a keen sense for language and rhythm in copywriting. Learn the parallels between crafting lyrics and writing compelling ad copy. 8. How to Maintain Creative Momentum: Learn the importance of continually practising and developing new ideas, even outside of client briefs. Discover how personal projects can keep your creative skills sharp and lead to unexpected opportunities. Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min
  7. COPYWRITER 073: Secrets of entrepreneurship from Australia’s top leaders with Bernadette Schwerdt

    16 JUNE

    COPYWRITER 073: Secrets of entrepreneurship from Australia’s top leaders with Bernadette Schwerdt

    I’m the author, ghostwriter and coauthor of 7 books about entrepreneurship. I’ve interviewed some of the biggest names in business. Ruslan Kogan from Kogan. Gabby Leibovich from Catch of the Day. Jane Lu from Show Po. Naomi Simson from Red Balloon. Simon Griffiths from Who Gives a Crap. And many more.  I’m often asked, ‘What have you learnt by interviewing over 100 of Australia’s top entrepreneurs? Do they have anything in common? And if so, what? Did they all get lucky or did they do something others didn’t? I’ve learnt a lot from these people about entrepreneurship so I thought I’d dedicate an episode to sharing with you what I have learned from them all. We’ll cover how to: build a culture  use language to shape the mindset of a company make your own luck – there is a 3-step formulas use your weaknesses to create a super power strength compete with the big firms even when you’re on a tiny budget level the management hierarchy so you are seen as being ‘one of the team’ start a meeting and break the ice write a cultural statement that sets your company up for success – with examples from Swisse Vitamins that saw them win “Best Employer” over multiple years give feedback  create a content machine that delivers outstanding results Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    49 min
  8. COPYWRITER 072: How to use podcasts to build your business with Lyndal Harris

    26 MAY

    COPYWRITER 072: How to use podcasts to build your business with Lyndal Harris

    If you’d like to launch your own podcast to promote your copywriting business, this is the podcast for you. Lyndal Harris is one of Australia’s top podcasting consultants. She’s launched hundreds of podcasts for a huge range of businesses and she’s here today to share her knowledge about how copywriters and any other small business owner - can start, launch and market their podcast. In this episode, you’ll learn: How a podcast can build your business What a podcast is and how it differs from other audio and video mediums Why an audio podcast often trumps a video podcast The best duration and publishing schedule for a podcast How to invite high-profile guests onto your podcast (even if you don’t have any listeners) How to build an audience for your podcast using email and social media Why evergreen content of a few episodes can be as powerful as creating ongoing episodes The technical elements of launching a podcast – hosting, editing, formats, platforms, software etc. How to find the right statistics to measure the success of your podcast How to find paid sponsors who can fund the production of your podcast About Lyndal: Lyndal Harris is a Podcast Consultant and is passionate about simplifying your podcasting journey and getting your message out to the world. She is the founder and creative force behind Podcast VA, who have launched hundreds of podcasts for both Australian and international clients, who collectively captivate millions of listeners worldwide. And quite a number of these shows have hit #1 in the charts!  Lyndal and the team reduce the stress and make your podcasting journey simple by offering a variety of launch and management done-for-support services, online training, as well as coaching and audits. She started supporting clients with podcasting in 2015 and niched her VA business back in 2016 and was the first Australian VA to provide podcast-only support.   Read the show notes This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    44 min
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4.7
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Join Australia’s most popular copywriting coach Bernadette Schwerdt as she takes you deep inside the world of how to be a professional copywriter. She’ll bring you the latest in how to get started, find work, build a brand, make money, manage your mindset and more. This behind the scenes look at how to become a top copywriter is the perfect pick-me-up for any writer who wants to earn more doing something they love. This podcast is by Australian Writers' Centre and Copy School.

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