Off The Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer June 10-16

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?

 

From Canada: 

• Union memo: Globe wants editorial staff to produce “branded content" [J-Source]
• Opinion: If a media union can’t make endorsements, then editorial boards shouldn’t either [J-Source]
• The future is digital for Canadian Family [Masthead]
• The Walrus leads at NMA with seven golds= [J-Source]
• The winners are in for the 37th annual National Magazine Awards [Masthead]

 

From the U.S. and beyond:

• Brain-Based Proof That You're More Effective Working At Home [Forbes] (via @freelancersu)
• New Study Finds That the Internet Didn’t Kill Newspapers [Mediabistro]
• Kickstarter links with the Guardian to highlight journalism projects [The Guardian]
• The 7 Most Important Things to Do Before You Quit Your Job to Freelance [Mashable]
• 10 simple steps to being a more organised freelancer [Journalism.co.uk]
• 5 tips for writing an un-sucky bio and About page [Freelancers Union]
• You’re Going to Bomb: 5 Freelancing Lessons from a Standup Comic [Contently]
• The Secret Of Successful Freelancing [Forbes]
• Why introverts make great freelancers [Freelancers Union] 
• Global digital news audience increased by 23% in 2013 [Journalism.co.uk]
• The Return of Podcasting: 4 Platforms That Will Help You Build an Audience [Contently]

 

Last week on Story Board:

• Ricochet is crowdfunding to pay the writers: Paying writers is a key focus of Ricochet’snew model for journalism. The Montreal-based media project has been raising money with an Indiegogo campaign this month, most of which will go towards paying journalists for their work...
• 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #16 -- Ryan Bigge: Toronto writer Ryan Biggeworks as a content strategist, consultant and digital copywriter. He’s also a cultural and technology journalist who has won four National Magazine Awards. He took the time to speak with Story Board last week about his career path and the new opportunities that exist for freelance writers in the digital realm...
• Doctoral researcher seeks interviews with freelancers and interns: A doctoral researcher at Simon Fraser University is seeking freelancers and interns in Toronto and Vancouver to participate in her study of freelance working conditions....

 

Spot a story you think we should include in next week's Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.