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 know most people don’t normally associate the phrase “workplace injuries” with the act of writing.
One non-writer friend joked, “What do you consider an injury? Packing on the pounds because you sit around all day?”
Well, yes, actually, that is a worrisome health issue. Although it is probably more of a negative lifestyle issue (lack of exercise, over-snacking, etc.) than a workplace injury.
A non-scientific anecdotal survey among several of my freelancing colleagues recently revealed their following injuries which they definitely associate with their work.
It’s my hope that by reading this their injuries won’t one day become your own.
TINNITUS
What it is:
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If you work in the games industry in the Toronto area, you’re invited to a free mixer on Monday, June 10 at Burdock Music Hall (1184 Bloor Street West) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Problems at work? Underworked and overpaid? Not sure what to do about it? Come out for an informal get together with colleagues in the industry. Chat with fellow game workers about what’s happening in the Toronto games industry and meet local Game Workers Unite reps to talk about how you can make your work life better.
Free drinks and snacks will be provided. There will also be free copies of the 2019 GDC zine and current salary information.
This event is free to attend, but please register on this Eventbrite page. Bring your co-workers!
And for more information about Game Workers Unite, check out this website
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:
From The U.S. and beyond:
Recently on Story Board:
- Toronto Fairness in Factual spring mixer June 6: If you’re in the Toronto area and you work in factual television you’re invited to a spring mixer hosted by the Canadian Media Guild’s Fairness in Factual campaign…
- Toronto media mixer on June 3: Toronto media workers, students and freelancers are invited to a media mixer on June 3 co-hosted by the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA) and CWA Canada Associate Members. The event is a welcome party to kick off the 2019 NCRA national conference…
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.
If you’re in the Toronto area and you work in factual television you’re invited to a spring mixer hosted by the Canadian Media Guild’s Fairness in Factual campaign.
Come out on Thursday, June 6 at Hotel Ocho (195 Spadina Avenue) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for this informal get together. Join your factual TV colleagues for free drinks and snacks as you catch up on all the latest news in the industry!
This event is free to attend but please register on this Eventbrite page to let us know you’re planning on coming.
And if you work in the industry, you can learn more about our campaign for Fairness in Factual and sign on to join us here: www.fairnessinfactualtv.ca
Toronto media workers, students and freelancers are invited to a media mixer on June 3 co-hosted by the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA) and CWA Canada Associate Members. The event is a welcome party to kick off the 2019 NCRA national conference.
Come out on Monday, June 3 at Ryerson Trans Media Zone (10 Dundas Street East) from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Enjoy free snacks and drinks as you make connections with your colleagues working in the media. The event is free to attend, but please register for a ticket on this Eventbrite page.
Hope to see you there!
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:
From The U.S. and beyond:
Recently on Story Board:
- How to know when it’s time for a refresh: Google made me do it. My website refresh has been in the back of my mind for months. I had a few changes I wanted to make, but nothing seemed urgent and the project fell off my radar…
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.
by Sue Horner
Google made me do it. 
My website refresh has been in the back of my mind for months. I had a few changes I wanted to make, but nothing seemed urgent and the project fell off my radar.
I finally set things in motion after a few reminders about Google’s view of sites that don’t have “secure HTTP.” Basically, HTTPS in the web address signals secure communication and web browsing, and Google has started to rank sites higher if they have it (and, we suspect, lower if they don’t).
Now that my site is refreshed, I interviewed my web manager, Joan Donogh (the Divi Diva), to find out more about when to redesign a website and what features are in or out:
What are some signs that it’s time for people/companies to update their websites?
In the case of websites built on WordPress, a big sign is the release of WordPress 5.0. This was a major update, so some older themes are not compatible and some things stop working. Other warning signs are if your website is not mobile friendly, slow to load, or you have noticed a reduction in traffic or leads from your website (if competitors have more current sites, for instance). Having a Flash intro would definitely be a sign that you need to update your website!
How often should people consider a full website redesign?
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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:
From The U.S. and beyond:
Recently on Story Board:
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.
Applications are now open for the 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.
The bursary is offered by the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma, which also offers a number of training bursaries each year through the Forum Freelance Fund.
The application deadline is June 12th. Winners will be notified by July 31st and must choose a course from the list of approved course providers by September 30th. Applicants may be of any nationality. Approved courses are currently available in Canada, the USA, Britain, Afghanistan and sometimes elsewhere.
For more information on how to apply, see the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma’s website.
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:
From The U.S. and beyond:
Recently on Story Board:
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.
