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.
The Content Byte
Claim This Podcastby Rachel Smith and Lynne Testoni
5.0(11 reviews)
315 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
63
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality93
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement81
Podcast Overview
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/2/2019
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63
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality93
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement81
7
Excellent Areas
3
Good Performance
9
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
46 minutes
Performing excellently!
good
Publishing Consistency
Every 8 days
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Recent Episodes
June 28, 2026
Why we are taking a break - with Lynne and Rachel
<p>This week is bittersweet as Rachel and Lynne announce that the show is taking a hiatus after seven years and more than 300 episodes.</p> <p>It's been a huge undertaking doing this podcast and we decided to take the time to share some of our favourite moments and what we have learned over the years. We reflect on how the show evolved from early scrappy recordings to a guest-driven format that helped us celebrate great work, learn podcasting skills, and raise their profiles and businesses (including Rachel's List).</p> <p>We share highlights such as meeting admired guests, supporting listeners during the pandemic, and running the 2023 and 2024 summits, which created community outcomes like friendships, masterminds, and published books. Key lessons include valuing a business mindset in freelancing, knowing your worth, pitching, audience-led content, and improving interview skills, along with the importance of taking breaks to avoid burnout.</p> <p>A big thank you to our team (Josh from <a href= "https://www.markercreative.co/">Marker Creative</a>, <a href= "https://connect4social.com.au/">Claire Chow</a>, <a href= "https://www.blackbirdcollaborative.com.au/">Heidi Walkinshaw</a>) and sponsor Rounded.</p> <p> </p> <p>Find Lynne <a href= "https://www.lynnetestoni.com">www.lynnetestoni.com</a></p> <p><br /> Find Rachel <a href= "https://www.rachelsmith.com.au">www.rachelsmith.com.au</a></p> <p><br /> Rachel's List <a href= "https://www.rachelslist.com.au">www.rachelslist.com.au</a></p> <p><br /> Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (<a href= "https://www.rounded.com.au">www.rounded.com.au</a>), 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.</p> <p><br /> Episode edited by Marker Creative Co <a href= "https://www.markercreative.co">www.markercreative.co</a></p> <p> </p>
June 21, 2026
How pre-selling strategies can turn leads into clients with Brenna McGowan
<p>This week, Rachel & Lynne are chatting with launch strategist Brenna McGowan about "anticipation marketing" and using content to create warm leads so clients are eager to buy.</p> <p>Brenna argues freelancers either sell too constantly or not enough, and often over-educate audiences, creating overwhelm or enabling DIY. She outlines an "anticipation runway" framework: why (purpose and method-led story), what hurts (naming and reflecting pain rather than solving it), what stops (beliefs, myths, objections, and self-trust barriers), and what changes (future pacing and letting prospects "try on" outcomes, including through case studies).</p> <p>The discussion also covers trust, avoiding desperate energy, follow-up strategies including a closing-the-loop email, focusing on weekly visibility with limited time, demonstrating invisible services, and AI tools that help her in her business.</p> <p> </p> <p>Brenna's website is: <a href= "https://brennamcgowan.co/">https://brennamcgowan.co/</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Find Lynne <a href= "https://www.lynnetestoni.com">www.lynnetestoni.com</a></p> <p><br /> Find Rachel <a href= "https://www.rachelsmith.com.au">www.rachelsmith.com.au</a></p> <p><br /> Rachel's List <a href= "https://www.rachelslist.com.au">www.rachelslist.com.au</a></p> <p><br /> Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (<a href= "https://www.rounded.com.au">www.rounded.com.au</a>), 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: <a href= "mailto:hello@rachelslist.com.au">hello@rachelslist.com.au</a> for the details.</p> <p><br /> Episode edited by Marker Creative Co <a href= "https://www.markercreative.co">www.markercreative.co</a></p> <p> </p>
June 14, 2026
How to make a living from Substack, with Maggie Alderson
<p>This week, Lynne and Rachel are chatting with journalist, editor and novelist Maggie Alderson about how to create a good income stream from Substack.</p> <p>Now three years in with a highly successful column on Substack, Maggie shares her strategies about growing subscribers on the platform, including sharing occasional free posts. She also talks about the support she receives from the Substack community and how it has become a helpful source of income as traditional media declines.</p> <p>There's a lot to unpack in this episode, with many tips and hints, including Substack networking and events, why she still loves fashion and whether self-publishing will be her next adventure.</p> <p>Maggie's Substack is here: <a href= "https://maggiealderson.substack.com/">https://maggiealderson.substack.com/</a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Find Lynne <a href= "https://www.lynnetestoni.com">www.lynnetestoni.com</a></p> <p><br /> Find Rachel <a href= "https://www.rachelsmith.com.au">www.rachelsmith.com.au</a></p> <p><br /> Rachel's List <a href= "https://www.rachelslist.com.au">www.rachelslist.com.au</a></p> <p><br /> Thanks (as always) to our sponsors Rounded (<a href= "https://www.rounded.com.au">www.rounded.com.au</a>), 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: <a href= "mailto:hello@rachelslist.com.au">hello@rachelslist.com.au</a> for the details.</p> <p><br /> Episode edited by Marker Creative Co <a href= "https://www.markercreative.co">www.markercreative.co</a></p> <p> </p>
315 total episodes available
Recent guests on The Content Byte
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Megan Osborne
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Evelina Kaganovitch
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Sabrina Rogers-Anderson
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Nadine Nethery
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Steven Lewis
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Juliet Rogers
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Amy Hadley
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Nikita Morrell
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Melissa Hoyer
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Austin Church
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Julia Newbould
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Lee Ellwood
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Frequently asked questions
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This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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