
About this episode
This week Rachel and Lynne discuss luck, visibility, and career resilience with guest copywriter Mel Barfield, managing partner at Copy or Die, host of the Indie Business Club podcast, and a Freelancer magazine columnist.
Mel shares her career shift into freelancing after moving while pregnant, how expectations and mindset can block opportunities, and why "luck" is largely created through action, relationships, and optimism. She talks about creating and noticing chances, acting on hunches, reframing setbacks, and expecting good outcomes. Practical tips include breaking big goals into chunks, building personal authority, asking for opportunities, avoiding overly negative public posting, networking with curiosity, and using LinkedIn strategically to connect with ideal client job titles without cold pitching.
Connect with Mel via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniebarfield/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcopymel/
Substack: https://indiebusinessclub.substack.com/
and the agency she runs with Dave is https://copyordie.co.uk/
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: [email protected] for the details.
Episode edited by Marker Creative Co www.markercreative.co
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Content Byte publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Content Byte

Why we are taking a break - with Lynne and Rachel
The Content Byte

How pre-selling strategies can turn leads into clients with Brenna McGowan
The Content Byte

How to make a living from Substack, with Maggie Alderson
The Content Byte

New things we are trying in our business in 2026
The Content Byte