About 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.
COPYWRITER 107: How copywriters can create multiple income streams with Bernadette Schwerdt
One of the biggest challenges facing copywriters is how to increase their income without increasing their workload. There are only so many hours in the day, and if your income is tied to client projects and an hourly rate, sooner or later, you'll hit the ceiling of what you can earn per day.
So what's the alternative?
In this solo episode, Bernadette shares some of the most valuable lessons she uncovered while interviewing more than 40 of Australia's most successful online entrepreneurs for her latest book, Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs.
A fascinating pattern emerged from those interviews. The founders who built the most successful businesses didn't necessarily start with a product. They started with an audience.
From Tesla's famous pre-orders for the Model 3 to MasterChef favourite Kirsten Tibballs building a global chocolate empire from a weekend workshop, Bernadette explores how entrepreneurs are validating ideas, building communities and creating products people actually want to buy.
You'll also hear the inspiring stories of actress Adele Samus, who built her own audience long before landing major acting opportunities, and cat rescuer Jenny Fisher, whose passion project attracted tens of thousands of followers and a host of unexpected commercial opportunities.
At first glance, chocolate makers, actors and cat rescuers might seem to have very little in common with copywriters. But scratch the surface, and they're all doing the same thing: building an audience around an idea, a skill or a passion before trying to monetise it. For copywriters looking to create courses, write books, launch memberships or build personal brands, the lesson is clear. Stop making, start validating. The audience comes first, and the products come second.
Most importantly, you'll discover why copywriters are uniquely positioned to benefit from this approach and how your content, expertise and ideas can be transformed into assets that generate income beyond client work.
Read the show notes (https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/copywriter-ep-107/)
This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au (https://www.writerscentre.com.au/)
Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au (http://copyclub.com.au/).
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
9 Jun 2026
COPYWRITER 106: Valerie Khoo interviews Bernadette: From copywriter to ghostwriter
Would you like to be paid to tell other people's stories?
Would you like to learn the systems and processes behind ghostwriting someone else's book?
Would you like to help business owners, founders and thought leaders share their wisdom, build their personal brands, and leave a lasting legacy?
In short, would you like to become a ghostwriter?
If so, you're going to love this episode of So You Want to be a Copywriter because this time, we're doing things a little differently.
We're flipping the script.
Usually, I'm the one asking the questions. But today, Valerie Khoo, founder of the Australian Writers' Centre, takes over the interviewer's chair to ask me about my latest book, Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs, and the unexpected journey that led me from copywriter to ghostwriter.
Together, we explore what it really takes to write a business book and why copywriters are uniquely positioned to become exceptional ghostwriters.
Read the show notes (https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/copywriter-ep-106/)
This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au (https://www.writerscentre.com.au/)
Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au (http://copyclub.com.au/).
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
10 May 2026
COPYWRITER 105: How to build a high-converting educational email sequence with copywriter Katia Spies
If you’ve ever wondered why your email marketing isn’t converting, or why “join our newsletter” doesn’t inspire anyone to join your newsletter, this episode will change how you think about email completely.
Today, I’m joined by Australian copywriter and ghostwriter Katia Spies, who’s built a highly profitable niche by creating a sequence known as Educational Email Courses. These are not your typical lead magnets. They’re structured, strategic, and designed to turn cold subscribers into qualified buyers.
Katia shares how she’s evolved from traditional copywriting into a more personalised, results-driven approach that blends strategy, storytelling, and email automation; why ghost-writing is having a moment, and how businesses can replace tired lead magnets with something far more engaging and effective.
What we cover:
The difference between copywriting and ghost-writing (and why it matters more than ever).
Why personal brands are outperforming traditional brand messaging.
What an Educational Email Course is and how it works.
Why “join our newsletter” is no longer enough.
How a 5-day email course builds trust and warms leads before the ‘sell’.
Real examples of EECs in action, including high-ticket services.
The structure of a high-converting email course (and what to include each day).
Ideal email length, format, and delivery timing.
Where to promote your email course for maximum sign-ups.
Why segmentation is the secret to better email performance.
How to clean your email list (and why it actually improves results).
The truth about ‘email is dead’ and what’s really happening instead.
Katia’s take on SEO and what still works.
How AI is changing copywriting and why human editing still wins.
Smart ways to use AI as a copywriter without losing your voice.
Read the show notes (https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/copywriter-ep-105/)
This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. WritersCentre.com.au (https://www.writerscentre.com.au/)
Join our community of copywriters at CopyClub.com.au (http://copyclub.com.au/).
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Who has been a guest on So you want to be a copywriter with Bernadette Schwerdt
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Lachlan MacFarlane
Austin MacFarlane
Michelle Melky
Elaine Abery
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
48
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
85
Contact So you want to be a copywriter with Bernadette Schwerdt
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
