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

From Canada:

• Top tips and trends in social media education [J-Source]
• The perils of being 'casual' at the CBC [Globe and Mail]
• Fewer than 1 in 5 Canadians want CBC funding decreased: poll [iPolitics]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• 3 editors give us their communications dos and don't for freelancers [Freelancers Union]
• 7 Tips for Remote Workers to Make You More Productive and Less Stressed [Inc.]
• The Fear of Pitching is Ruining Your Chance to Shine – Here’s How to Get Over It [Wonderful World]
• 18 newsletters every freelance journalist needs to subscribe to [Muck Rack]
• Hit Send: Making the Case for Following Up as a Freelance Writer [The Write Life]
• What freelancers can learn from entrepreneurs [Freelancers Union]
• An alternative freelance narrative [The Professional Freelancer]
• I’ve been a freelancer for more than 15 years. Here’s what all clients should know [Fast Company]

Recently on Story Board:

• Applications open for 2019 Portenier Human Rights Bursary competition: Freelance journalists and independent documentary makers with projects that focus on human rights abuses can apply for the bursary, which provides the winner with $3000 to attend hostile environment training...

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.