A list of ideas that may be helpful to freelance translators.
Look for Translation Work Where Others Aren’t Looking!
Now start looking for work where other people are not looking! We hear freelancers complaining that they hang out with other freelancers and never acquire any good direct clients; and we certainly understand that hanging out with other freelancers may be appealing, you can certainly learn a lot, it’s one way of creating a good network, and of course there’s always a possibility that you’ll meet people who’ll refer work to you. We know that freelance translators are hard-working, top-quality people – the issue is that good direct clients will not be looking through online sites for freelance translators when they have their annual business report to be translated. It’s up to you to go to them! You might join their LinkedIn groups, attend their conferences, or even set up a website with information about what you’re capable of doing for them.
Your Translation Services Should Be Easy – Not Cheap!
Make yourself invaluable to your clients by providing top quality customer service. This is what your clients are looking for! Certainly, when we’re looking for testimonials or feedback on our translation work we love to hear about the quality of our work, but what’s most important is that you receive positive feedback on your customer service. Respond to emails immediately, don’t be late delivering work, be easy to work with, be open to amendments and additions – these are the important factors to clients. They must know that you’re approachable and that you’re capable of delivering top-quality work within the required timeframe.
Be Prepared to Take Advice
If an experienced translator tells you that good translation clients will not be banging on your door anytime soon and that you should be banging on their door, they’re absolutely right!
When an experienced translator points out to you that big translation agencies wouldn’t survive with pittance rates and no one working for them, they’re absolutely right!
When an experienced translator tries to help you by telling you that you must invest in up-to-date tools for your business, and that you shouldn’t be using your old laptop with Windows XP, they’re absolutely right!
It stands to reason that if you want good quality clients then you yourself must be a higher-level translation professional.
Be Prepared to Drop Low-Paying Clients for Better-Paying Clients
Yes, this does sound harsh, but this is a step you must take. There are only so many hours in the day, and there’s only one you, so you need to identify which client you’ll eliminate once you get a better paying client. This is not an easy step to take because you’re probably quite friendly with all your clients, but it’s a very necessary step to take. Determine right now which low-paying client you would drop if you had a higher-paying client to replace them. Once you’ve sorted this out in your mind, then it’s highly likely that you’ll achieve a better paying client very soon.
