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Coming Up
CFG Workshop – Getting the most from your CFG Membership
16 Dec 2022
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Getting the most from your CFG Membership begins with knowing more about the services we offer.
This session is intended to be a combination show-and-tell and individual curated workshops to help accomplish that aim.
There have been a lot of changes at CFG recently, and one of the most significant is the move from a long list of individual pages for member services into a digital one-stop shop that gathers them into one, organized and easy to use page.
https://canadianfreelanceguild.ca/en/member-services/
Learn how to pitch an idea to Story Board, how to suggest a panel discussion or presentation, and access our Video Library.
We’ve also being doing our best to bring as many members as possible to our two-way communications channel with the launch nearly a year ago of our CFG Discord channel. This is intended to replace the Digital Deli, which was always a bit of a hack and not widely adopted.
We’ll have a crew on hand for individual breakout sessions about Discord, the member services page, how to complete / update your member profile, and so on.
Bring your questions, concerns, and ideas to this unique session.
If this works to members’ satisfaction, we’ll schedule similar sessions throughout the coming year.
We’ve put a lot of time and effort into improving your experience, and its all for naught if you don’t take advantage of your services and benefits.
After all, knowledge is power and we’re doing our best to put the power into your hands.
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“Is A.I. Coming for your Freelance Clients?”

14 Dec 2022
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
A.I. – artificial intelligence – isn’t just coming. It’s here and expanding it’s range and capabilities.
Just last week, The Atlantic published an article written by a bot. The Guardian did the same thing more than two years ago.
We’ve all seen ads – thanks to our searches related to ‘freelancing’ and ‘writing’ – about Grammerly and how it will fix your writing.
Photographers and graphic designers were sent reeling a few months ago following the release of Dalle-e, an A.I. bot that can whip up a high-quality image on demand.
A.I. isn’t just coming: it’s here and playing an increasing role in our digital lives.
Join us for a look at A.I. and a Q&A session with Owen Brierley to learn how we can use A.I. tools to our advantage.
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Newest Webinars:

We produce The Business of Freelancing series of webinars, meetings and workshops for our members and non-members alike.
While we finalize our fall and winter schedule for this year, here’s your chance to view for the first time or a refresher and FREE OF CHARGE to all members in good standing, and members of our partner organizations*, such as the CMG’s Freelance Branch and the Society of American Travel Writers Canadian Branch.
We’ll release additional re-runs in the next few weeks.
If you’re a member of one of our partner organizations with a discount, use our form to apply for your discount.
If you’d like to pitch a webinar, workshop or meeting, then use our form to submit your idea.
* RELATED ORGANIZATIONS: If you belong to an organization operating in the Canadian media environment, use this form to get our attention. We’d love to find out how we can work together for everyone’s benefit.
“Is A.I. Coming for your Freelance Clients?”

A.I. – artificial intelligence – isn’t just coming. It’s here and expanding it’s range and capabilities.
Just last week, The Atlantic published an article written by a bot. The Guardian did the same thing more than two years ago.
We’ve all seen ads – thanks to our searches related to ‘freelancing’ and ‘writing’ – about Grammerly and how it will fix your writing.
Photographers and graphic designers were sent reeling a few months ago following the release of Dalle-e, an A.I. bot that can whip up a high-quality image on demand.
A.I. isn’t just coming: it’s here and playing an increasing role in our digital lives.
This webinar includes a look at A.I. and a Q&A session with Owen Brierley to learn how we can use A.I. tools to our advantage.
Log in to view this webinar
“Understanding Freelance Contracts”

This panel explained common freelance contract clauses and terminology, including the most dangerous clauses freelancers are often asked to agree to when it comes to indemnity and liability. Our panelists also discussed how to make counteroffers and negotiation tips on language and payment.
Our Panelists: As a creative entrepreneur and organization co-founder, Tracey Arial has thirty years of experience dealing with contracts.
Don Genova was the founding organizer of the CFG’s former president of CMG Freelance, where he negotiated contracts with the CBC along with his freelance writing and broadcasting outside of the Corporation.
Alison Motluk has been a freelance journalist for over 20 years. Her work has appeared in The Economist, The Walrus, Maisonneuve, Toronto Life, The Local, Nature, The Globe and Mail, New Scientist, Quirks and Quarks, TheCurrent, The Sunday Edition, IDEAS, and others. She always reads her contracts very carefully.
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“Pitching for Success – Sell That Story!”

You have the story. You know you can write it and deliver it. But how to get the editor’s attention—and a green light to proceed?
CFG Founding Member Sandra Phinney takes you on a journey down the freelance “pitching for success” path. This workshop covers:
- today’s most common complaints from editors (and how to capitalize on that knowledge);
- how to analyze magazines, newspapers and websites before creating a pitch;
- tips to make your query jump off the page;
- sample pitches/queries are included, along with a real-life email trail with an editor, from pitch to filing story, including negotiating the best rate.
Watch the video of her presentation below, and if you want to go back over her slides you can open a pdf of them from this link.
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“How to Win Government of Canada Contracts”
How would you like to land a client that spends ABOUT $20 BILLION YEARLY on goods and services?
That client exists: The Government of Canada.
Even sole proprietors can sell directly to the feds: no matter where you are in Canada, whether or not you offer bilingual services, you’ll benefit from this guide to the basics led by Ottawa-based Marion Soublière of M.E.S. Editing and Writing Services.
Marion has been winning Government of Canada contracts since 2008.
This has been one of our most popular Business of Freelancing sessions ever. And it’s now FREE OF CHARGE TO CFG MEMBERS and our affiliates.
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“Public Speaking As A Freelance Marketing Tool”

Studies have found that people fear speaking in public more than death. In addition to sharing fundamentals of public speaking, our Toastmasters International presenter will steer you away from trepidation and towards dynamic speechmaking. Different forms of public presentations will be discussed, including in-person and virtual and there will also be tips on how to monetize your public speaking engagements.
Our presenter is CFG Founding Member Lisa Caroglanian Dorazio: A seasoned Toastmasters International member and award-winning speaker, Lisa’s speeches range from addressing association AGMs to the mastermind mentoring group she founded. Lisa’s tips create a difference in your personal and business development. Lisa believes that “practice makes perfect” and strives always to reach that goal.
This webinar costs just $5 for members. You can buy it from this link on the CFG Pay-Per-View website, hosted by Dacast. If you’ve never registered on that site before check out the step-by-step guide further down on this page. You will need a voucher code to reduce your fee from $10 to $5 and it is PSMEM.
“The Seven Stories and How To Apply Them to Your Freelance Writing”

According to journalist and bestselling author Christopher Booker, every story we tell falls into one of seven basic plots. This webinar outlines each of these archetypal plot lines and explain when to use them. It also covers why we tell stories based on the cultural and psychological discoveries of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. The presentation concludes by providing tips and techniques on how to apply the Seven Stories principle to various genres of fiction and non-fiction writing.
Our Presenter: David Morton Rintoul is a freelance writer and a former management consultant serving organizations throughout North America for over twenty years. Most of his current freelance work involves marketing content for business-to-business clients. His clients often ask him to create success stories to promote their brand. This has fuelled his lifelong fascination with storytelling.
This webinar costs just $5 for members. You can buy it from this link on the CFG Pay-Per-View website, hosted by Dacast. If you’ve never registered on that site before check out the step-by-step guide further down on this page. You will need a voucher code to reduce your fee from $10 to $5 and it is CFGMEM.
“Tax Time for Freelancers – 2021 Tax Year”

Financial guru Shannon Lee Simmons helped us last March get ready to file our 2021 income taxes.
Guess what? The deadline is fast approaching to file for 2022.
Get ahead of the curve as Shannon takes you on a deep dive into eligible and ineligible deductions, GST / HST returns, income from foreign sources, and yes, what to do if you end up taking that shoebox full of receipts to a tax professional.
Shannon answered nearly 30 question in a fast-paced back and forth with the audience.
This webinar is now FREE TO ALL CFG MEMBERS and to members of our associate partners.
We plan to bring Shannon back live this year to help you prepare for your financial year end with another of her fact-filled sessions.
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“Getting The Most Out of LinkedIn Learning”

LinkedIn Learning is one of the most valuable benefits you receive as a member of the Canadian Freelance Guild. The resource contains thousands of training videos to help you learn skills across many disciplines. To buy it for yourself would cost $342 a year. If you’d like to register for a LinkedIn Learning account, please contact the CFG Organizer for instructions.
In the webinar, CFG member Michael Strickland gives you a basic introduction to the learning platform, then talks about his experience, what he liked and what he’d change. Then he takes you through snippets of courses that he thinks are of value to freelancers and does some live searches on topics that participants ask about.
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Coming Soon

“Investing Basics For Freelancers”

This co-presented webinar focused on the two main retirement saving vehicles for freelancers: RRSPs and TFSAs. Helen and Rita covered the key benefits and also the potential pitfalls of each, including ways to maximize tax efficiency in asset allocation. Rita Silvan, Chartered Investment Manager, is an award-winning former publishing executive who has held leadership positions in print and digital publications. Her freelance writing has appeared in RBC’s Inspired Investor, The National Post, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, and many more. She’s passionate about personal finance and investing as a means to a happy and self-empowered life.
Helen Burnett-Nichols is a Hamilton, Ont.-based freelance writer with more than15 years of experience covering investment, business, legal and personal finance topics. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Globe and Mail, National Post Legal Post, Golden Girl Finance, Benefits Canada, SAGE Magazine, EY Reporting and Tangerine Bank’s ‘Forward Thinking’ brand. Helen completed the Canadian Securities Course in 2010.
This webinar costs just $5 for members. You can buy it from this link on the CFG Pay-Per-View website, hosted by Dacast. If you’ve never registered on that site before check out the step-by-step guide further down on this page. You will need a voucher code to reduce your fee from $10 to $5 and it is BOFCFG
“Year-End Tax Tips for Freelancers”

Shannon Lee Simmons
Not too many freelancers are thinking about taxes in November, but it’s actually the perfect time to start putting your financial matters in order for 2022 and your 2021 tax return. Join our favourite Tax Tips Tutor, Shannon Lee Simmons, founder of the New School of Finance, for a lively Q+A session moderated by CFG Organizer Don Genova. Don and Shannon covered a lot of ground in this session, everything from what kind of year-end expenditures you should plan on making, how to check estimates on taxes owing to ensure you’re on track, and how RRSP season can fit into your plans. And we threw in some questions about foreign income and how to deal with collecting and paying H/GST when necessary. This webinar costs just $5 for members. You can buy it from this link on the CFG Pay-Per-View website, hosted by Dacast. If you’ve never registered on that site before check out the step-by-step guide below. You will need a voucher code to reduce your fee from $10 to $5 and it is CFGSPEC.
When you arrive at the link, click on BUY.
Login or Sign Up.
Click on Add Voucher.
Enter the Voucher Code, and proceed to payment.
Your video should then start playing. You can return to the original link any time after you’ve paid for up to two months to watch or re-watch the video. Scroll down on this page to see some screenshots of the Dacast procedure.
“Government Relations for Creative Entrepreneurs”

Tracey Arial
As a creative entrepreneur and organization co-founder, Tracey Arial has thirty years of experience learning about grants, obligations and services established by Canada’s Federal Government. In this webinar, she’ll take you through five ways to think about government relations, particularly when it comes to the heritage, industry and taxation ministries. Knowing about copyright, income averaging, ISBNs and public right payments helps increase your confidence in reaching out to federal politicians and bureaucrats.
This webinar costs just $5 for members. You can buy it from this link on the CFG Pay-Per-View website, hosted by Dacast. If you’ve never registered on that site before check out the step-by-step guide below. You will need a code to reduce your fee from $10 to $5 and it is CFGCE05.
- When you arrive at the link, click on BUY.
- Login or Sign Up.
- Click on Add Voucher.
- Enter the Voucher Code CFGM90, and proceed to payment.
Your video should then start playing. You can return to the original link any time in the next two months to watch or re-watch the video. Scroll down on this page to see some screenshots of the Dacast procedure.
“Let’s Talk About Podcasting”

Fawnda Mithrush
At the end of July CFG Member and avid podcaster Shauna Rae hosted a discussion and lively Q+A session with Fawnda Mithrush, the program manager of the Alberta Podcast Network and a longtime podcaster. Fawnda will talk about how the Alberta Podcast Network began and how it has evolved. She is also the executive director of Litfest Alberta and the YEGPodfest. To watch the webinar simply click here to launch it in your browser.
“How To Connect In Business in 90 Seconds or Less”

Nicholas Boothman
At the end of June we welcomed best-selling author Nicholas Boothman to a webinar in which he dazzled participants with many helpful tips to use while connecting with new clients or networking opportunities. He shared how to use the ABCs of face-to-face communication: Attitude, Body-language, Conversation, Communication and Convincing, to create instant connections, gain confidence, make friends, ace interviews, and get people talking. You’ll also want to watch this for his concept of ‘Statement of Fortune’, which gets you to that magic 90-second connection. This webinar costs just $5 for members. You can buy it from this link on the CFG Pay-Per-View website, hosted by Dacast. If you’ve never registered on that site before check out the step-by-step guide below. You will need a code to reduce your fee from $20 to $5 and it is CFGM90.
- When you arrive at the link, click on BUY.
- Login or Sign Up.
- Click on Add Voucher.
- Enter the Voucher Code CFGM90, and proceed to payment.
Your video should then start playing. You can return to the original link any time in the next 28 days to watch or re-watch the video.
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