Become a Writer Today

Bryan Collins

Do you want to share your story, earn more money and make an impact with your writing? You're in the right place. On the Become a Writer Today podcast, Bryan Collins interviews creatives and best-selling authors. He profiles their writing processes, so you can learn about everything from writing your book to building a profitable creative business. Subscribe today! read less
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Episodes

Amy Yamada Reveals How AI Can Transform Your Writing and Connect Deeply with Audiences
Jan 22 2024
Amy Yamada Reveals How AI Can Transform Your Writing and Connect Deeply with Audiences
In this episode of the Become a Writer Today podcast, my guest is Amy Yamada, a former marketing director and AI expert. During the interview, Amy shares her innovative approach to using AI to develop authentic messaging and form deep connections with audiences. Amy and her use of ChatGPT to help content creators scale their businesses is a one-of-a-kind approach. No one else is teaching what she does. Amy's method allows busy content creators to generate more content while preserving their authentic voice and speaking directly to their audience.Here are my top 3 takeaways from our discussion:1. Authenticity is Key: Amy uses an innovative approach called the "heart speech model" to infuse her voice into AI-generated content, ensuring that her communication is not only efficient but also authentic and resonates with her audience.2. Utilizing AI for Relationship Building: Amy highlights how entrepreneurs, including writers, can leverage AI for various forms of communication, such as marketing emails, social media posts, and even difficult conversations with clients or team members while maintaining their authentic voice.3. Future of AI in Content Creation: Amy shared insights on the growing role of AI in content creation and how it's important to balance efficiency with maintaining a human touch in the content we generate. We also discussed the potential of AI in serving as a research assistant and helping with content organization.If you're interested in learning more about Amy's unique approach to using AI in writing, check out the full podcast episode. Don't miss out on these valuable insights! Resources:Amy's WebsiteSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!
How to Become a Content Strategist With Amanda Hand
Jan 8 2024
How to Become a Content Strategist With Amanda Hand
In our latest episode of the Become A Writer Today podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Hand, an experienced content strategist and SEO team lead. We delved into the world of content strategy and discovered some valuable insights into this fascinating field.In this episode, we discuss the following:Client Goals and Data: Content strategy goes beyond writing and editing. As a content strategist, understanding client goals and aligning them with data is crucial. Become a data nerd, master tools like Google Analytics, and marry creativity with data-driven strategy.User Behavior Analysis: Dive deep into user data to understand what drives decision-making and meet users' needs. Learn to follow the user's journey from the first website visit to the final conversion goal. This understanding will help shape effective content strategies.Continual Learning and Skill Development: Embrace the ever-evolving nature of the content strategy field. Take advantage of free courses, such as Google Analytics, to acquire new skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends. Adaptability and curiosity are essential in this exciting industry.If you want to learn more about content strategy and how to transition from content writing to strategy, this episode is a must-listen. Resources:Regex SEOSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!
Behind the Headlines with Isaac Saul of Tangle: Running and Monetizing a Media Newsletter
Nov 6 2023
Behind the Headlines with Isaac Saul of Tangle: Running and Monetizing a Media Newsletter
I had the opportunity to go behind the headlines with Isaac Saul, the creator of Tangle, on my latest episode of the Become a Writer Today podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into Isaac's journey of running and monetizing a media newsletter while striving for balanced reporting in today's politically divided climate.Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:Building Trust through Balanced Reporting: Isaac's upbringing in a politically divided community inspired him to create a publication that both liberals and conservatives trust. With Tangle, he offers accurate, thorough, and balanced information by summarizing controversial political stories using neutral language and including arguments from both sides. This approach has earned them a diverse readership and positioned Tangle as a trusted source for fair news.The Power of Organic Growth and Mailing Lists: Tangle's success began with a daily newsletter on Substack. Their mailing list grew organically, and they tapped into the power of surveys to identify their readers' demographics and preferences. By understanding their audience and building relationships with them, Tangle attracted a loyal readership. They aim to expand further, especially among younger audiences, by branching out to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.Strategy, Research, and a Growing Team: Behind Tangle's impactful content lies a strategic process. Isaac and his team carefully select and research the main story, finding arguments from various perspectives. Extensive research, including reading news articles, listening to podcasts, and watching political commentators, helps them curate fresh and diverse takes. The team's hard work has paid off, growing Tangle from a one-person operation to a full-time team with four employees and an extended network of part-time editors and interns.Resources:Tangle NewsSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!
27 Must-Read Classic Literature Books
Oct 23 2023
27 Must-Read Classic Literature Books
I recently had the pleasure of discussing 27 must-read classic literature books on the Become a Writer Today podcast. These books have stood the test of time and offer timeless wisdom and insights into the human condition. Whether you're a seasoned reader or just starting your literary journey, these classics are an essential addition to your bookshelf. 🔹 Classic Literature: Dive into the world of the classics and explore timeless themes and masterful storytelling. From epic adventures to thought-provoking social commentaries, these books offer a rich and diverse reading experience.🔹 Coming of Age Tales: Many of the classic literature books discussed on the podcast explore the coming-of-age journey. These stories allow us to reflect on our own growth, self-discovery, and challenges as we navigate life's complexities.🔹 Understanding Society: Classic literature gives us a window into different cultures and historical periods, offering a deeper understanding of society and human nature. Through these books, we can explore themes of love, power, identity, and social injustice.So, whether you're seeking to expand your literary horizons or simply looking for a captivating read, make sure to check out these must-read classic literature books. They are a treasure trove of inspiration and storytelling that will leave a lasting impact on your reading journey.Support the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!
How to Write Pitches Editors Love With Rebecca L. Weber
Jun 19 2023
How to Write Pitches Editors Love With Rebecca L. Weber
Would you like to break into freelance writing? And if so, how do you pitch the editors of big-name publications? I was a freelance writer and journalist before I set up Become a Writer Today. It was a challenging profession. I studied journalism in college for a few years, and when I graduated, I struggled to find any work at all. It was only when I specialized in a particular niche that I was able to start finding regular commissions. And even then, I found it quite difficult to pay the bills as a freelance writer. If you're looking to get into freelance writing, my tip is to spend some time each week or every other week pitching for new clients and finding additional work, even if you have enough work in the queue.This week's interviewee, Rebecca Weber, has written for several prestigious publications, including CNN, Forbes, and The Guardian. She's an expert at pitching high-profile editors. In this week's interview, she goes through her five-step process, which you should use to pitch an editor for a publication. I wish I'd known about this five-step process as a freelance journalist. It would have saved me a lot of time and heartache.In this episode, we discuss the following:The importance of researching before you pitchConsidering your unique angleKeeping abreast of trendsResources:Rebecca's WebsiteSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!
The Art of Swipe Files And Using AI to Copywrite With Neville Medhora
May 22 2023
The Art of Swipe Files And Using AI to Copywrite With Neville Medhora
AI tools like ChatGPT are all the rage these days. While they won't write everything effectively for you, they can be a real time saver if used correctly. So rather than opening up Microsoft Word or Google Docs and wondering how you will write some compelling copy for your customers or clients, you can use a tool like ChatGPT. It'll generate headlines for you. It could help you turn product features into benefits and give you a good angle or an introduction for your emails, your sales page, or even your blog post about your latest product or service. Not only that, but these tools take away some of the mystery surrounding copywriting. In other words, they make it easier for everybody to express themselves. And if you're a writer working online, copywriting is a valuable skill because it will help you sell your products, services, books, articles, and, of course, your ideas.In this week's interview, I caught up with the expert copywriter, Neville Medhora. He runs swipefile.com, a fantastic website if you want to browse new and old copy that has stood the test of time. He also runs copywritingcourse.com, where you can get your copy workshops from Neville and his team. In this episode, we discuss:How Neville got started way back in 1998How Neville built a successful finance blogNeville's approach to using AI tools to write copyThe art of using a swipe fileHow to grow your platform as a writerResources:SwipefileCopy Writing CourseSupport the showIf you enjoyed the show please leave a review on Apple. And if you have any questions you can find me on Twitter @BryanJCollinsThanks for listening!