How To Stand Out As A Freelance Podcast Producer
by Jeremy Enns When I moved to Vancouver to start audio school back in 2011, I knew what I was getting into. I was aware of the already long declining state of the music industry. I knew how few studios had staff audio engineer positions, and I knew how hard I would have to work […]
The Born Freelancer interviews writer Robin Brunet
This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. “I feel extremely fortunate to have lived precisely the way I always wanted. Very few people can genuinely lay claim to that.” – Robin […]
The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #34 — Anne Mullens
In this regular feature, Story Board asks Canadian writers to share a few details about their work habits and their strategies for navigating the ups and downs of freelance life. Anne Mullens is an award-winning freelance health writer, author, editor and health communications consultant who lives in Victoria, B.C. She has won a dozen awards for her writing, which […]
Turning Your Holiday into a Travel Writing Opportunity
By Brittany Duggan As a freelancer, days not worked are days not paid. But that doesn’t you mean don’t get to take holidays, whether in your own backyard or to somewhere more exotic. It just might mean you get creative about how to turn your holiday into future writing opportunities. I’ve just emerged back onto […]
Freelancer Katie Jensen talks about the importance of income transparency in Canadian media
*Editor’s Note: July 28, 2017. This post has been updated to include an addendum to clarify certain points raised in the Q+A. by Vanessa Hrvatin On July 5, freelance podcast producer Katie Jensen publicly shared her 2016 net income as part of a Twitter thread she hashtagged #incometransparency. The 29-year-old has been in the freelance […]
Media Mixer: Protecting Our Sources and Ourselves
by Abby Plener While working on “Cyberwar” with Vice, filmmaker Dylan Reibling contacted a source for a story. The source was a hacker who had attended the Black Hat information security conference. Shortly after Vice e-mailed him, that same source got a call from the FBI. Perhaps it was just a coincidence. But nonetheless, […]
Chris Enns talks financial planning for freelancers
Variable income is one of the biggest challenges many freelancers have to contend with. And Chris Enns understands it all too well. As an opera singer, he struggled himself with the best way to handle his money. Those struggles led him to learn more about finances and eventually get certified as a financial planner. Now he splits his […]
A Q&A with freelance writer Cole Kazdin
by Brittany Duggan Cole Kazdin is a writer, performer and four-time Emmy winning television journalist. She currently lives in Los Angeles where she regularly contributes to VICE, MEL Magazine and Refinery29. Kazdin has written for The New York Times, Los Angeles Magazine, Cosmopolitan and has produced television for HBO Documentaries and ABC Network News. She […]
The fine line of the follow-up
by Brittany Duggan Following up with editors after sending a story pitch can be anxiety-inducing. “Why have I not heard back?” “Is it a bad idea?” “Are they just too busy?” Ultimately, the radio silence you hear after sending a pitch is likely because of a combination of busy schedules, email overload, and – unfortunately […]
The Born Freelancer Reads “This I Know” by Terry O’Reilly
This series of posts by the Born Freelancer shares personal experiences and thoughts on issues relevant to freelancers. Have something to add to the conversation? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. In the interests of full disclosure I must admit, first and foremost, that I am a huge fan of Terry O’Reilly’s exceptionally enjoyable CBC […]
