Celebrating 15 Years of The Story Board, Canada’s Longest-Running Blog for Freelancers

The Canadian Freelance Guild (CFG), the country’s largest organization representing media freelancers, and a CWA Canada affiliate, is marking a major milestone: the 15th anniversary of The Story Board, its in-house blog.

First published on Nov. 22, 2010, The Story Board has become one of Canada’s longest-running — and likely the oldest continuously published — blogs created exclusively for freelance media workers.

Over the past 15 years, The Story Board has built a reputation for its frank, practical coverage of freelancing in Canada, including contract negotiation, client management, rate transparency, and work-life balance. Its longevity is especially notable in an era when many blogs fade quickly.

“The Story Board stands apart because it’s built entirely by freelancers, for freelancers,” Editor Robin Roste said. “It’s one of the few places in Canadian media where independent workers can speak honestly, share hard-won lessons, and know they’re not alone.”

Its earliest advice remains strikingly relevant: “The very first Story Board article on Nov. 22, 2010, titled ‘Tips for negotiating a contract with an engager,’ correlates perfectly to our current environment in four short points: Get it in writing, demand equitable rates, you own the work until you agree to relinquish copyright, and selling the fruits of your labour constitutes a business,” CFG President George Butters said. “Fifteen years since those launches, we’ve seen the erosion of traditional media, massive expansion of social media and smartphone use, the disruptive emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence, and 15 years of The Story Board offering vital advice to professional freelancers.”

To celebrate the November 22 anniversary, the CFG is hosting several special events, including its popular Freelance Fridays social hour and a live pitching workshop Roste. The Guild is also launching a full rebuild of The Story Board, bringing a fresh look and modernized design to the long-standing publication.

“Blogs come and go,” Roste said. “The fact that The Story Board has thrived for 15 years speaks to how deeply freelancers value community, mentorship, and shared knowledge.”

About the Canadian Freelance Guild (CFG)

The CFG is Canada’s largest organization for freelance media workers, including writers, editors, podcasters, photographers, videographers, illustrators, and digital creators. It is also an affiliate of CWA Canada, the country’s media union. The Guild provides advocacy, professional development, and community for Canada’s growing independent workforce. Email: organizer@canadianfreelanceguild.ca Website: canadianfreelanceguild.ca