Bernadette Schwerdt
SPEAKER | AUTHOR | TRAINER
My career spans 30 years in media, marketing, the arts and technology. As the founder of four successful companies, author of three bestselling business books, and the creator of two educational institutions, I bring a range of eclectic skills, experiences and networks to all those I work with.
PUBLIC sPEAKING
Motivational keynotes for conferences, team meetings and events.
Practical. Fun. Theatrical.
Topics: Digital Marketing, Small Business, Communication, Presentation Skills, Persuasive Writing.
AUThor
Best-selling author, blogger and copywriter
Author of ‘How to Build an Online Business’ and ‘Secrets of Online Entrepreneurs’
(ranked in the Top 100 Business Books of 2016 and 2017).
Author of a third best-selling book, 'Catch of the Decade', ghostwritten for Gabby & Hezi Leibovich.
Founder of the Australian School of Copywriting, creator of one of Australia’s most popular copywriting courses,
head copywriting tutor at the Australian Writers Centre
and the writing coach-of-choice for thousands of freelance copywriters.
Creator of content - blogs, social, web, editorial - for companies too busy to do it themselves.
HOW TO BUILD AN ONLINE BUSINESS
Australia’s top disruptors reveal their secrets for launching and growing an online business.
SECRETS OF ONLINE ENTREPRENEURS
How Australia's online mavericks, innovators and disruptors built their businesses...
and how you can too.
CATCH OF THE DECADE
My third book, Catch of the Decade, was ghostwritten for Gabby and Hezi Leibovich, the two brothers behind the iconic brands, Catch of the Day, Menulog, Scoopon, Luxury Escapes and many others.
It was released in November 2020 and went straight to #1 on Booktopia’s Best-seller list for Business just three days after launch.
CORPORATE TRAINER TO THE WORLD'S TOP COMPANIES
Creator of custom courses for blue-chip companies.
An accredited Train-the-Trainer and NLP-certified instructional designer.
Presenting With Influence - Learn how to pitch, persuade and present like a pro. Minimise your nerves, maximise your confidence.
Discovery Session - Marketing Coaching - Need mentoring? A sounding board? Get instant, expert marketing advice that makes sense and gets your business back on track.
Storytelling for Business - Learn how to tell a business story that connects. Discover the process Hollywood’s top scriptwriters use to tell compelling stories.
Copywriting for Profit - Learn how to write persuasive copy for websites, blogs, social and email. Access the top templates all the pro copywriters use.
Digital Essentials - Learn how to market your small business using the latest digital marketing tools, tips and technology. Spend less, make more.
How to Build an Online Business - Turn your hobby, passion or special knowledge into an online business and watch the passive income roll in.
Webinars That Wow! - Learn how to use webinars to reach more customers or staff more often. Bring the team together virtually and cut your costs.
Personal Branding and Influencing - Learn how to build your personal brand, create your point of difference and position you and your brand as the one to trust.
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE TEMPLATES HERE
Get access to the templates, checklists and resources
Australia's top online entrepreneurs use. Instant access.
You’ll find here a treasure trove of blogs/articles, videos, podcasts, ebooks, templates and free courseson topics every digital entrepreneur needs to succeed.
From public speaking and copywriting, to entrepreneurship, marketing, online business, business storytelling, women in business, SEO copywriting and more.
Templates, checklists, formulas, quick-start guides and more - all designed to fast-track your learning.
Want more? See all our resources here.
ABOUT BERNADETTE
My career spans 30 years in media, marketing, the arts and technology. As the founder of four successful companies, author of three bestselling business books, and the creator of two educational institutions, I bring a range of eclectic skills, experiences and networks to all those I work with.
Multiple roles in marketing include senior account director for global brands including Apple, American Express and BHP, to digital marketing strategist, pitch coach and copywriter for McDonalds, Mirvac and Merrill Lynch.
In 2004, I founded the Australian School of Copywriting, Australia’s longest running copywriting school. Alumni include the former creative director of Clemenger Advertising, M&C Saatchi and copywriters working for the world’s leading advertising agencies.
A development deal with Fairfax Media to produce an online TV series documenting the success of Australia’s top online entrepreneurs led to the writing of three bestselling business books, (Secrets of Online Entrepreneurs, How to Build an Online Business and ghost writer for Catch of the Decade).
In 2020, I applied this knowledge to found a tech startup called Synthetic Data (formerly known as Machine Dreams). We help engineers in the predictive asset management sector use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to replace the manual inspection of critical assets with automated visual inspection systems.
In 2020, I was named in the Top 50 Small Business Leaders by a leading industry journal, and my start-up was accepted into the prestigious Startupbootcamp Accelerator. We won the Asset Management Conference Award for Best Startup, were a finalist in the AWS Machine Learning Pitch Competition and semi-finalist at the Australian Technology Competition.
I am what’s commonly known as an AFL ‘tragic’ and as such, was delighted to be invited to be the inaugural mindfulness coach for the Carlton AFL Football Club. I worked closely with the AFL club psychologists and players to develop and deliver their foundation mindfulness program that is still operating today.
I am a sought-after speaker on the global conference circuit on the topics of women in tech, creative courage, personal branding, acts of micro-bravery, machine learning for beginners, and data-based storytelling for business.
I have taken these eclectic experiences to create Australia’s first School of Creative Courage. We help individuals unlock their creative potential, find their unique passion, share that purpose with the world, leverage that wisdom into an online business, and profit from their expertise.
BERNADETTE HAS BEEN FEATURED IN
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
ABOUT BERNADETTE
"Thank you for your motivating keynote presentations for our annual roadshow – the attendees are still singing your praises! You are a dynamic professional whose passion is second to none. It was such a great pleasure working with you."
Melinda Mason, Loyalty Program Manager, De Lorenzo
"Thank you so much for sharing your perspectives and insights with us. Your insights and learnings were VERY well received by the audience! You delivered a refreshing, entertaining and unique talk!"
Kris Larsen, Senior Manager, Business Innovation, KPMG
"Bernadette is a subject matter expert that backs up her sessions with a really engaging and powerful presentation style. Bernadette is a delight to work with and a true professional. I have no doubt that we will be working with Bernadette again in the near future"
Leah Hitchings, Brand & Communications Manager – AMP/Hillross
"Thank you again for helping our team overcome the fear of presenting and being able to articulate the features and benefits of what we do. The feedback I have received from all our staff can only be described as glowing"
Tamatha Harding, Acting CEO – Tennis Australia
PODCASTS
World-class experts. Real-world advice.
Discover how Australia’s top online entrepreneurs built their start-ups. Bernadette shines the light on Australia’s top digital disruptors and reveals the detailed strategies behind their success. If you have an online business and want practical advice that will help you take your business to the next level (and become the next big disruptor), this podcast is for you.
