This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with friend of the pod, Bernadette Schwerdt, a copy coach, comms expert and ghostwriter, to discuss how writers can build valuable, scalable businesses and multiple income streams in the age of AI.

Bernadette explains why demand is rising for copywriting and ghostwriting as CEOs and thought leaders invest in personal branding and content that connects audiences to the person behind the business, including books as "sales reps" and long-term content engines.

Drawing on interviews for her new book Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs, she outlines traits of successful founders: deep industry apprenticeships, resilience, attention to detail, not taking criticism personally, and solving real problems with strong distribution. For freelancers, she recommends niching by what you love, what you're good at and what pays, building systems, databases and a sales mindset, and focusing on storytelling frameworks and follow-up.

Connect with Bernadette via her website: https://bernadetteschwerdt.com.au/

Download the first chapter of Bernadette's book here

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