What to charge for your writing
by Rachel Sanders When you’re offered a juicy writing assignment, sometimes the fee seems less important than the experience, the enjoyment, or the byline you’re expecting to get out of it. But as you move along in your writing career, it’s important to consider what your time is worth. If you want to freelance full-time, […]
Improved CBC freelance contract coming soon
The CMG has negotiated a new collective agreement that will see improved working conditions for CBC freelance contributors. The pending freelancer issues that we reported on late last year were resolved at a negotiating session in mid-December. The new agreement will see base rates for freelancers increase at the same rate as salaries will increase for employees […]
CMG announces tentative new CBC agreement, freelancer issues still pending
The Canadian Media Guild has reached a tentative agreement with CBC, but there are still freelance-related issues to work out. Freelancer pay rates are one of several areas still under discussion. The next negotiating session, which will be devoted to resolving freelance issues, is scheduled for early December. We’ll post details on Story Board once […]
Content farm writing rates hit a new low
We all know how bad the downward pressure on freelance writing rates is these days. And with the proliferation of online “content farms” things seem to be getting worse. Over the weekend, the news and gossip site Gawker posted what they call the “worst writing job ever.” The ad, originally posted on Craigslist in Portland, is […]
The Born Freelancer on what to charge: Part 2
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? Your input is welcome in the comments. In my previous post I began to share with you my thoughts on the burning question that confronts every freelancer time after time: […]
The Born Freelancer on what to charge: Part 1
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? Your input is welcome in the comments. One of the most fundamental questions a freelancer will ever hear is also one of the most difficult to answer right away: How […]
Why I quit blogging and why you should too (if you’re a writer) [UPDATED]
By Jeff Nield EDITOR’S NOTE: Changes have been made to this post as a result of a request from TreeHugger’s parent company, Discovery Communications, which claims certain disclosures in the original post were in violation of a confidentiality clause contained in an agreement signed by the author. Until last week, I was a part-time blogger […]
Nine soon-to-be unpaid writers leave HuffPost Quebec before it launches
We bet that most everyone who writes for the Huffington Post for free doubts whether they should. Story Board readers have heard about that straight from a former HuffPost Canada writer. At least nine writers who were to begin writing for Huffington Post Quebec after its Feb. 8 launch have considered the pros and cons […]
Secrets worth sharing: Tips and tricks from three successful Canadian freelancers
As part of its ongoing Professional Development series, PWAC Toronto hosted an event entitled “Secrets of Freelancing Success.” Its panel of experienced freelance writers shared—if not secrets, exactly—a boatload of valuable advice. This latest edition in PWAC’s series, which we’ve covered before, really packed ’em in at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (the event […]
Survey on freelance business journalism raises more questions than it answers
Are journalists who write about money making more of it than they used to? According to a recent survey, the answer is: maybe? The Society of American Business Writers and Editors has conducted its second annual survey of freelance business journalists in the U.S., and the results tell us….well, not much. The online survey asked […]
