Taking stock: The Born Freelancer’s 2011 posts

January 06, 2012 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancer

A very happy and healthy New Years to you, my fellow freelancer.

New Years is always a good time for stocktaking. Looking back over my previous 18 posts, it has been my privilege to share with you my thoughts and experiences on the following topics (listed from most recent on backwards). I mention them now in case you missed some or have just joined us and think that a particular topic might be of interest to you:

If you have any thoughts on any of these topics, please leave a comment after the appropriate post. Your comment will also turn up in the "Recent Comments" section in the right-hand column of this page providing an easy link back to it and my original post. Should you have any suggestions for future topics for later this year, feel free to comment at the end of this post.

Thanks to those of you who have already commented on any of my previous posts. I appreciate you becoming part of the dialogue. Despite our separateness, we're still all in this together.

CWG negotiates new deal with Reader’s Digest

January 03, 2012 Editor Compensation canadian writers groupfreelance contractsfreelancer ratesreader's digestsuccess stories

It doesn't happen every day, so when writers make gains after negotiating with a publication, it's a story worth sharing.Working with Reader's Digest managing editor Derek Webster, Derek Finkle negotiated a new pay grid on behalf of writers represented by the Canadian Writers Group this fall. Shortly before Webster left the magazine in October, he…

It’s a small world, after all: The Born Freelancer warns against burning bridges

December 22, 2011 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancerfreelance lifenetworking

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.A 9-to-5er recently commented to me, "It must be great being freelance. You can always tell your boss where to go if they're jerks."Well, actually,…

Count coffee as a food group? Yep, you’re a journalist

December 12, 2011 Editor Bit of fun checklistsfreelance lifejournalism

Your Monday laugh comes courtesy of Chris Ortiz, creator/editor of Stuff Journalists Like. While judges in Oregon might disagree with his 20-item "Checklist for being a 'real' journalist," we think it hits the nail on the head. Some of our favourite "signs": Corrected a loved one’s grammar in a greeting card Forgotten what it’s like to have the…

Dealing with gig loss: The Born Freelancer’s 10-step program

December 08, 2011 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancerfreelance lifehealthnetworkingworkflow

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.Getting that first gig is perhaps the novice freelancer's hardest obstacle to overcome. But the endless hours of toil, of self-doubt and of worry…

Forget about 15 minutes—Canadian visual artists want their five per cent

November 29, 2011 Editor Compensation bill c-11carfacfreelance contractsgetting paidroyaltiestrouble spotsvisual artists

Imagine if, to sell your writing or other media work, you had to give up all re-sale rights, knowing full well that the person you were selling it to would earn far more than you had because of their access to a wider market. If what you're producing is one-of-a-kind, nearly impossible to re-create, and took years of work, it's a maddening…

Do you whistle while you work?

November 28, 2011 Editor Bit of fun freelance lifemusicwork from home

One of the perks of working from home is having more control over your work environment. Sure, there may be other people sharing your space, and the next-door neighbour's barking dog might be a bother from time to time, but for the most part, you are the master of your work space. Want to work in a semi-dark room? Sure! Want to spread your research…

Gifts that keep on giving: the Born Freelancer’s tips on testimonials

November 24, 2011 Editor Advice adviceborn freelancerfreelance lifelinkedinmarketing yourselfnetworkingtestimonials

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.I was looking at some impressive freelancer websites the other day and noticed a common element on the sites that were the most effective at selling…

Why I wrote for the Huffington Post (and why I stopped)

November 15, 2011 Editor Journalism compensationfreelance contractsgetting paidhuffington post

By Emma WoolleyThe Huffington Post is evil, right? It makes a lot of money from content it doesn’t pay for. It exploits writers and undermines their right to earn livings. It contributes to the overall devaluation of writing and especially web writing. I knew all of this and I still wrote for the Huffington Post.Most of you probably want to know…

Taking stock: The Born Freelancer’s 2011 posts

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