COPYWRITER 091: How to build your YouTube following with Lachlan & Austin MacFarlane

What if your side hobby could land you on the set of How to Train Your Dragon or in the same room as Timothée Chalamet? That’s the wild reality for Lachlan and Austin MacFarlane  – aka the MacFarlane Brothers –  two self-taught filmmakers whose short-form videos have clocked more than 500 million views online. Starting with a childhood curiosity and a second-hand camera, they’ve grown into full-time content creators, directors, and award-winning storytellers for global brands like Warner Bros., Netflix, and Universal Pictures. In this episode, they unpack the creative process behind their viral videos, how they turn 15 seconds into a storytelling masterclass, and what it really takes to build an audience that sticks around. Plus, they share what goes into landing brand deals, writing sponsored content that doesn’t suck, and why they’re aiming to direct feature films next. Whether you're a marketer, copywriter, or creator at heart—this one’s packed with practical gold. 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.

We’ve all heard about the TikTok video that goes viral for no apparent reason or the unsuspecting tradie who becomes an overnight sensation off the back of one post. Well, it turns out there’s a method to that madness, and the one with the keys to unlocking that method is Michelle Melky.   Michelle is the Global Creative Director of a marketing agency called Amplify. They represent the top influencers and broker the deals for them.   Michelle has created cutting-edge content for brands including Estee Lauder, Warner Bros. and Google. She also co-produced Love Songs, the world’s first narrative web series for TikTok. Her work has been nominated for a TikTok Ad Award, three Mumbrella Awards and in 2024, she was shortlisted for the B&T 30 Under 30 Awards. In this episode, we talk about what it means to be an influencer – or content creator, as Michelle prefers to call them. She gives us the low down on how to create that content, land a brand deal, find clients willing to pay you the big bucks and why you don’t need as many followers as you might think to start calling yourself an influencer. If you’ve ever wanted to monetise your knowledge about anything and learn how to negotiate and navigate the new media landscape, this is the episode for you. 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.

If you’ve ever wondered what digital marketing really is, and how you can leverage it to generate more traffic, more leads, and convert more sales, this is the podcast for you. There are lots of digital marketers out there, but few have the depth, skill, and knowledge that Ben Fewtrell has. As the owner of Digi TLC, he’s run campaigns for a huge range of clients and has got the digital process down to a fine art.   In this episode, Ben teaches us how to kick-start a digital marketing campaign, how to create content for it, what to focus on, what to forget about, and provides some simple case studies to demonstrate how he does it and how you can do it too. 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.

In this episode, Bernadette chats with Penelope Cannata, SEO Content Strategist at StudioHawk, about what it really takes to get found online right now. Penelope unpacks the biggest mistakes businesses make with SEO copy, how to write for both humans and algorithms, and why brands need to double down on trust, quality and purpose if they want to stay relevant in AI-powered search. With 6+ years of experience across education, commercial and not-for-profit sectors, Penelope brings a refreshing mix of strategy, empathy, and clarity to the world of content marketing. Whether you’re a writer, marketer, or business owner, you’ll walk away with a more grounded (and hopeful!) view of where content is headed. In this episode, you’ll learn: The #1 SEO mistake writers still make (and what to do instead) Why content length and quality both matter more than ever The difference between informational and thought leadership content (and when to use each) How to structure content for SERP features and AI overviews Why trust signals and audience-centricity will define the future of SEO What AI is actually pulling into results (and how to get your brand included) How to optimise for voice search and the rise of zero-click content 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.

AI might be dominating headlines, but when it comes to getting found online, Google is still king. In this episode, we’re cutting through the hype and getting back to basics - because no matter how fast AI evolves, knowing how to write an SEO blog that ranks is still essential. To walk us through it, I’ve invited back Matt Farmer - former student, long-time SEO content strategist, and past team member at award-winning agency Studio Hawk. Matt knows exactly what it takes to get content noticed by Google, and in this mini masterclass, he shares practical tips and strategies you can use right now to boost your website rankings. If you want to sharpen your SEO writing skills, this episode is for you. 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.

In this episode, we chat with Kieran Browning, a consultant with deep expertise in operations and digital marketing. If you’re a copywriter struggling to scale, feeling overwhelmed with client work, or battling endless revisions, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help you streamline your business. In this episode, you’ll discover: The biggest bottlenecks copywriters face when scaling. How to efficiently delegate tasks and systemise your business. The simple email tweak that reduces unnecessary revisions. Why onboarding is the key to preventing scope creep. How to manage difficult client expectations without losing them. The best ways to generate leads without it taking up all your time. The "phase two" trick for handling clients who always want more. A streamlined sales process that works for conferences and networking. Follow-up techniques that help close deals (without feeling pushy). Kieran shares invaluable advice on making your business more sustainable, so you can focus on what you do best. Tune in now and start implementing these strategies today! 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.

Starting a copywriting business is exciting, but navigating the financial and legal aspects can feel overwhelming. From choosing the proper business structure to understanding tax obligations, there’s a lot to consider.  In this episode, Andrew Nicholls, an experienced finance expert and business advisor, breaks it all down in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether you’re just starting out or already running your copywriting business, this episode will help you make informed financial decisions and avoid common pitfalls. Andrew shares insights on when to register for GST, how to structure your business for success, what insurances you need and what deductions you can claim.  This episode is a goldmine of practical advice for copywriters and small business owners looking to take control of their finances and set up their businesses for success. Whether you're just getting started or thinking about growing, Andrew’s insights will help you navigate the complexities of business finance with confidence. You’ll learn: The different business structures available to copywriters (sole trader vs. company vs. trust) Why you need an ABN and how to get one What to do if you're freelancing on the side while working full-time When you need to start charging GST and what that means for your business The reporting obligations of a GST-registered business When it makes sense to transition from a sole trader to a company The key differences between a bookkeeper and an accountant (and when you need one) What business expenses you can and can’t claim as a copywriter The types of business insurance you need (and which ones you can skip) Common rookie accounting mistakes that get small business owners into trouble with the ATO When to start using accounting software like Xero and how it can help manage your finances 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.

Steven Lewis is one of the most experienced copywriters working in Australia today and was one of the world’s first web copywriters. Yes, he’s that old, but in a good way because he’s been around and he knows what works and what doesn’t.  Steven is a master of writing emails that get noticed and creating content that connects and converts.  In this episode, Steven Lewis, founder of Taleist and The Obvious Choice, shares his expertise on writing emails that get opened, creating newsletters that build loyalty, and using AI effectively to complement your copywriting skills. From his early days as one of the first website copywriters to his current role running a copywriting agency, Steven’s no-nonsense approach will challenge conventional wisdom and provide actionable insights. If you’re ready to up your game and make your writing stand out, this episode is for you. You’ll learn: Steven’s 3-step structure for creating engaging emails that build trust and drive action Why plain-text emails and conversational subject lines outperform flashy designs How to deliver meaningful content without giving away too much for free How to train AI tools like ChatGPT to write in your tone and serve your audience better 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.

Grant writing is a highly lucrative skill, and the demand for skilled grant writers has never been higher. If you want to master grant writing, attract clients, and confidently charge for your services, this podcast episode is for you. In this episode, Elaine Abery of Unravelling Red Tape shares her invaluable expertise in grant writing, advocacy, and working with government organisations. Whether you’re new to grant writing or want to refine your skills, this conversation is packed with insights to help you become an in-demand grant writer. You’ll learn: What grants are, who offers them, and where to find them How to craft a winning grant application, use the right language, address the criteria and avoid rookie mistakes How to pitch your grant writing services to not-for-profits and build a sustainable business model Where to find lucrative government grant writing opportunities How to approach individual government departments outside the formal tendering process 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.

Sales pages – we’ve all heard of them but do you really know what they are, what they’re designed to do, how they’re different to other web pages, and more importantly, how to write one? Ash Chow is a sales page expert – she’s the ‘go to’ copywriter for those looking to write high converting sales pages. In this episode, Ash gives us the low down on everything you need to write a sales page and shares with us her unique 5-step formula for doing it quickly and effectively - from writing the hero section to addressing audience objections, Ash breaks down the essential elements of a sales page, shares her proven process, and discusses the strategies that make sales pages stand out. Whether you're new to copywriting or looking to sharpen your skills, Ash’s insights will inspire and empower you. You’ll learn how to: Understand the purpose and structure of a sales page Differentiate sales pages differ from other web pages Use Ash’s 5-step process for writing sales pages Meet your audience where they are at and guide them towards a solution Write a compelling hero section and lead Build trust through writing effective bios, testimonials, and objection-busting sections Create clear and irresistible calls to action Avoid common mistakes when writing sales pages Adapt sales pages for B2B vs. B2C audiences Write sales pages for live launches and evergreen offers Offer VIP intensives to generate immediate revenue Structure VIP days to maximise efficiency and offer great value for clients 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.