The Content Byte

Rachel Smith and Lynne Testoni
  • 5.0 (53)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. BEST OF 2025: Conquering LinkedIn and finding clients with Rebecca Cofrancesco

    7 HRS AGO

    BEST OF 2025: Conquering LinkedIn and finding clients with Rebecca Cofrancesco

    Continuing our summer series of our most popular episodes of the last year, we are sharing a great chat from early 2025 with content strategist and LinkedIn mentor Rebecca Cofrancesco. Beck talks about how to make LinkedIn work for you, how to find clients and why she started a local business meet-up group. During our chat, we talk about: • Why she started freelancing • Her new LinkedIn newsletter and why she started it • How her newsletter has informed (and changed) her LinkedIn strategy • Why she has two newsletters • Her favourite client-finding strategies • How to get out of the feast or famine cycle • Why meeting in person is better than online in terms of building relationships   Connect with Beck via her website: https://marketinggoodness.com.au/    Or follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-cofrancesco-marketing-goodness/    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: hello@rachelslist.com.au  for the details.   Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

    55 min
  2. You Might Also Like: The Personal Finance Podcast

    8 HRS AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: The Personal Finance Podcast

    Introducing 26 Things to Do with Your Money In 2026! from The Personal Finance Podcast. Follow the show: The Personal Finance Podcast Join the Free Master Your Money Workshop on January 14, 2026 here!   Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom. 👉 Join Master Money Academy today! In this episode of The Personal Finance Podcast, Andrew shares 26 money moves to transform your finances this year—covering how to rebuild trust in your money, automate your finances, update your net worth, follow the 1-3-6 emergency fund method, increase investments, run a tax-diversification check, ask for a raise that beats inflation, build your skill stack, and create your financial protection plan. Listen to The Business Show here. Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! Partner Deals Indeed: Start hiring NOW with a SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/personalfinance Get 50% Off Monarch, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarch.com/PFP Chime: Start your credit journey with Chime. Sign-up takes only two minutes and doesn’t affect your credit score. Get started at chime.com/  Policy Genius:  Go to policygenius.com to get your free life insurance quote. Wayfair: Shop outdoor furniture, grills, lawn games, and WAY more for WAY less DeleteMe: Go to https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/ and Use Promo Code PFP for 20% off!   Resources Mentioned Get the Master Your Money Goals Here! Automate Your Money Checklist  Your Net Worth Audit Checklist Empower (PC)  Link of the Episodes Mentioned: The 1-3-6 Method For Building & Managing Your Emergency Fund Should I Pay Off Debt or Keep The Money Invested? - Money Q&A How to Automate Your Money - The Set it and Forget it System The Bucket Method For Managing Your Savings (Master Multiple Savings Goals) Book Mentioned: Giving It All Away…and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously Connect With Andrew on Social Media: Instagram TikTok Twitter Master Money Website Master Money Youtube Channel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Best of 2025: Treasa Edmond on offering content strategy as a service

    28/12/2025

    Best of 2025: Treasa Edmond on offering content strategy as a service

    Have we got a treat for you! This episode with content strategist, business coach and consultant Treasa Edmond was one of our most popular episodes in 2025. It is full of gold for any freelancer wanting to move up the value chain and secure more high-paying clients.   In our wide-ranging chat, Treasa talks about: • The different between offering content strategy and strategic consulting • Which one is an entry point for high-paying work • How strategy can open the gates to providing more effective content • How and why value pricing is better for this type of work • Her favourite client-finding strategies • Common mistakes freelancers make when it comes to strategy   Capcut is here: https://www.capcut.com/   Treasa's podcast is called Boss Responses: https://bossresponses.com/   Or take a look at Strategy Bosses: https://bossresponses.com/strategy-bosses-community/   Or through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/treasaedmond/    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: hello@rachelslist.com.au  for the details.   Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

    51 min
  4. The 2025 Wrap-up with Rachel and Lynne

    21/12/2025

    The 2025 Wrap-up with Rachel and Lynne

    It's the end of 2025, so Rachel and Lynne take a reflective look back at the year, delving into both the good times and bad.  We are both big believers in a little self-reflection, so it makes sense to look back at what was certainly a tumultuous year in the world of freelancing. We share tips and lessons learned, new tools we've explored, and our biggest professional and personal achievements, using prompts from YearCompass.  We talk about: The risks we took and decisions we made during the year Lynne's year of 'yes' Rachel's personal writing retreat Lessons we have learned from our guests this year Our favourite episodes of 2025 AI and the changes that it has brought to freelance writers How we have both made freelancing work for us  We also wanted to say thanks to our sponsor Rounded, plus The Content Byte team - Claire Chow, Heidi Walkinsaw and our audio editor Joshua Broadbent.  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

    31 min
  5. The Content Trends We Need To Talk About – with Canva's Maria Izvestkina

    14/12/2025

    The Content Trends We Need To Talk About – with Canva's Maria Izvestkina

    This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with Maria Izvestkina, a multidisciplinary creative leader from Canva. They discuss the importance of protecting creative energy, the impact of AI on design, trend spotting, and how to live a creative life.  Maria shares insights on: The evolving role of AI in creative work  How to harness social media for creative expression  Effective use of Canva features and templates  Developing a playful and experimental mindset to fuel creativity  Practical tools and strategies for freelancers  Maria also talks about her Substack project Playin and offers valuable advice for organising work in Canva. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-izvestkina/ 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

    39 min
  6. Building a career around books and reviewing, with Nicole Abadee

    07/12/2025

    Building a career around books and reviewing, with Nicole Abadee

    This week, Rachel and Lynne dive into the art of books and book reviewing with guest Nicole Abadee, a book reviewer for the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Weekend. Nicole discusses her transition from barrister to reviewer, the surprising way she scored the reviewing gig, and the influence of social media on book marketing.  She also offers valuable tips for authors seeking reviews and shares her methods for selecting standout books. There's so much gold here, as Nicole talks about: The challenges of making a living in the book publishing industry The essential skills for reviewers The ups and downs of writers festivals Why self-published books won't get reviewed The evolving landscape of arts coverage Why authors need to build a social media presence How she manages to read hundreds of books a year  And why she still loves a highlighter Connect with Nicole via her website: https://www.nicoleabadee.com.au/  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

    40 min
  7. How to Stop Gaslighting Yourself – with Mark Jones

    30/11/2025

    How to Stop Gaslighting Yourself – with Mark Jones

    This week Rachel and Lynne discuss whether you are your own worst enemy, with a thoughtful look at improving your business and personal mindset with guest Mark Jones, an author and mindset strategist, who explores the concept of gaslighting yourself and the psychological impacts of negative self-talk.    He shares tips on: Why it is important to be kind to yourself How to rewrite these internal narratives The importance of self-belief Different techniques to foster a healthier mindset  It's all about the importance of aligning your internal and external stories for personal and professional growth.  Connect with Mark via his website: https://www.markjones.au/  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

    52 min
  8. What you can do to protect yourself from AI - with Joe Pulizzi

    23/11/2025

    What you can do to protect yourself from AI - with Joe Pulizzi

    This week it's all about AI. Rachel and Lynne discuss the impacts of AI on freelance writing and marketing with Joe Pulizzi, founder of the Content Marketing Institute and The Tilt.  During a fascinating (and positive) conversation, Joe offers insights on how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing media and marketing landscape, including:  • The importance of niching down and building expertise • Leveraging AI tools for efficiency  • Creating and maintaining owned assets like newsletters and podcasts • Focusing on building real-world relationships and in-person connections Joe also shares practical tips on maintaining a strategic web presence and the value of handwritten notes and print media to foster real-world connections with people and potential clients. Connect with Joe (and check out his new book, Burn the Playbook) through his website: https://www.joepulizzi.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: hello@rachelslist.com.au  for the details. Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co

    1h 3m
See All (264)

5
out of 5
53 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Smith and Lynne Testoni
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    264
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © This content is copyright and the property of Rachel Smith and Lynne Testoni.
  • Show Website
    The Content Byte

You Might Also Like