
Storytelling and feature writing services
Telling your story or that of your customers
is at the heart of a memorable piece of writing.
Sources and interviews
A research deep-dive is key
Putting the pieces together
01
The need for stories
So, what IS storytelling?
Storytelling is about marrying an idea or message with an emotion. Here’s why it can be so effective.
- Using stories, including someone’s lived experience in your copy or content, is powerful stuff
- A good story isn’t just engaging – it also helps you understand others and their perspectives
- Stories can be evocative and far more memorable than other ways to present information
- Storytelling can document the struggle, the journey, the triumph and the tragedy
- It can also amuse, entertain, convince and convert (so yep, it’s a great marketing tool as well)
- Good storytelling is a skill, as is coaxing stories out of your subjects. Not everyone can do it!
In a copywriting or content writing context, this requires a lot of preparation. Research of the subject. Writing questions. Knowing how to let an interview unfold, to create a pace; knowing how to rephrase questions to get to the heart of the story. (I also think a good storyteller is also a good listener, and someone with life experience, self-knowledge and an innate, never-say-die curiosity about other people.)
02
Kind words
I hired you to do an edit and copy on our karate welcome pack and from the outset, engagement was excellent. Your ability to orientate into my world and business meant that we were having value add discussions really quickly. And, because you could understand and empathise with the model, messaging, and methods I was trying to create, it meant you felt more like a business partner than a contractor.
“You produce clean, well researched copy that perfectly matches the tone of the magazine – and our readers. You’re also fast, reliable and very easy to work with. And, your article pitches are always on point, which makes my job so much easier.”
“Rachel’s professionalism, creativity, and dedication to delivering high-quality content has significantly contributed to the success of THE INARRA. She’s brought her exceptional content writing skills to a variety of topics and her ability to craft engaging, well-researched and informative content pieces is impressive. When interviewing experts, she not only captures the essence of the conversation but also presents it in a way that’s both accessible and insightful for our audience.”
“Rachel is a brilliant copywriter and journo: she delivers clean copy that’s well-researched, engaging and fits the brief. Plus, she delivers on time, which — in the busy world of endless deadlines — makes all the difference.”
“In a crowded Australian media landscape, Rachel Smith stands head and shoulders above so many others for three simple reasons: she follows a brief to the tee, the work produced is clear, clean and to the point, and Rachel is terrific to deal with. I’ve commissioned her over and over and recommended her to others.”
“Rachel is a terrific writer; someone I’ve entrusted complex feature story ideas to, knowing she has the expertise and talent to deliver a superior result every time. She’s a creative wordsmith who takes pride in her work and deals easily with the toughest of interview subjects.”
“Rachel is the ideal contributor. Her turnaround time is fast and her writing is engaging, as well as tailored to mesh well with the tone of whatever title or project she’s working to. Even better, Rachel always writes error-free copy which is delivered to deadline and word count. I would not hesitate to recommend her.”
“Rachel is a true professional. She always turns in clean, concise copy – and on time. I have commissioned her for magazine articles that include health, interiors and general lifestyle topics and her versatility puts her at the top of my list of go-to writers.”
“Perfect copy, on brief, on time: it’s what Rachel delivers every time I work with her.”
“Rachel comes from the ‘old guard’ of quality publishing: her writing is always delivered to brief; it’s clean, accurate, and thoroughly fact-checked; and it has an empathy and warmth that readers appreciate.”
03
How I work
A quick FAQ about my storytelling services
And what I might need to produce a crackin’ yarn for your magazine, website or brand.
Quotes + contracts
Each new client I take on receives a quote for the work, a contract outlining what’s included – and an invoice (I charge a 50 percent commencement fee). There’s more about how I work on my FAQ page.
Types of stories I write
I’m a senior journalist adept at producing all kinds of stories, from interview-led features for magazines to posts for content marketing clients. I also write case studies, interview movers’n’shakers for ghost-written content, and am an adept podcaster who has interviewed all kinds of guests.
Sources - yours or mine?
Whether you need a notoriously-difficult-to-pin-down organisation head, an expert medico or a salt-of-the-earth case study who’s never spoken to a journalist, I can find ’em. Often, a client will have a specific source for me to interview. Other times, I’ll be asked to track down a specific source (a skill in itself, especially if the person is high profile). I also have a super valuable contact book of sources I’ve used on different stories and nurtured for many years, which saves an enormous amount of time.
Here are a few I prepared earlier
I’ve interviewed hundreds of people over the years. My stories have appeared in magazines, on websites, in content marketing pieces and on podcasts. Here are just a few of my stories (you’ll find a lot more in my portfolio).


Reset your immunity clock (Dare magazine)

What the sex experts wish you knew (Women’s Health)

The rise of female tradies (CSS magazine)

Brothers in arms (Sunday magazine)

Jessica Mauboy profile (Sunday magazine)
