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TRANSLATORS' TIPS

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TRANSLATORS TIPS
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  • Frances turner

    Remember to build some downtime into your schedule even during your busiest periods. You'll work better as a result.

    4 day(s) ago

  • Fred

    Always be prepared for the unexpected - as a freelancer there's nobody there to help if you over-commit and can't deliver when unexpected delays crop up

    11 day(s) ago

  • Karolina

    I keep my language skills alive in several ways, but one of my favourites is by watching music videos - they're great for keeping in touch with the latest terminology and seeing language evolve

    18 day(s) ago

  • Sheila tailor

    Take time to reassess every now and again. Is your work-life balance right? If not, what are you going to do to redress it?

    26 day(s) ago

  • Jesus santiago

    Have fun with language to keep your passion for it alive. Personally, I do crossswords and word searches to keep my language skills up to date in a way that's enjoyable

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    If you plan to have a long career in translation, why not add lengthy challenges, like learning to delivery legal translation or a whole other language, to your goals?

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Streamlining your working life and cutting out distractions can free up a significant amount of time, which can then be spent earning more money

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Working 1.5 hours extra per day, five days per week, means you can work the equivalent of a six-day week in just five days

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Working longer hours might dent your social life, but it's a quick and easy way to earn a bit of extra income

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    You are entitled (some would say obliged!) to increase your translation rates to keep up with inflation

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    There are short-term and long-term ways to increase your income, so be sure to use a combination of both!

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Do you offer post-editing machine translation services? What about localization of machine-generated copy? Keep up with current demands to maximise your translation income!

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Carol

    Make sure you have the right tools to do your work well. Don't skimp on the laptop you choose when it's essential to how you make your living!

    39 day(s) ago

  • Benny

    Don't underquote just to get a job - you'll likely regret it later on!

    47 day(s) ago

  • Karen

    Remember that new translation clients can come from anywhere - always keep a business card or two in your wallet, just in case!

    60 day(s) ago

  • Tanya

    Spend a few minutes every day doing something to improve the efficiency of how you work

    68 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    It pays to keep up with the latest trends - do you know all you need to in order to undertake video translation, or translation for cannabis companies?

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use a keyword finding program in each country that you deliver content for, to help your clients localise their website copy

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    The SEO implications of voice search are only just beginning to be widely appreciated. Be quick off the mark to help your clients understand the issue and how you can help

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Build up experience of voice SEO as part of your website translation work now, to stay ahead of the game

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    More and more businesses are likely to need help with post-editing machine translation over the coming years - specialising in this could mean more clients and higher income

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Post-editing machine translation is here to stay. Embrace it in order to boost your translation income!

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    LinkedIn isn't just for catching up with business contacts - you can also use it to target potential clients based on the sector they work in

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    After the long weeks of summer, use September as a time to refocus and refresh

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Keep up to speed with the latest CAT and translation memory tools in order to translate as fast and well as possible

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Learning a less commonly translated language can be a great way to increase what you charge per word when translating

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Understand clients' motivations, then develop specialist services (such as post-machine translation) in order to meet their needs and earn more 

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Keep up with translation trends and specialise in popular areas (such as video translation) in order to boost your income

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Take time out to celebrate your successes on International Translation Day - particularly if you work freelance and don't have colleagues to praise your achievements!

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Helping companies to globalize their content means providing expert localization services as well as translation

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Choosing the right words is an important part of finding a company's 'voice' and helping it to engage with customers

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Engaging with clients doesn't have to be difficult - and email newsletters are a great way to kick-start the process

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Bart

    Never forget that learning is a lifelong process!

    74 day(s) ago

  • Benji

    Use working from home to your advantage by doing things you wouldn't be able to in the office to keep yourself motivated. For me, a homemade smoothie mid-morning is a real treat - and a healthy one, at that :-)

    81 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use email newsletters to remind clients that you exist from time to time - you never know what might result from them

    88 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    An email newsletter is a great way to showcase your skills - after all, just because you translate for a client, doesn't mean they realise you also provide writing or desktop publishing services

    88 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Consider using a professional accountancy service to boost your freelance income - an accountant could end up saving you money in the long run

    88 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Keep track of your different rates for different clients so that you can increase your rates at fair intervals

    88 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Stop wasting money on unnecessary items that don't bring your more business - the more you save, the less you have to earn

    88 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Save for tax as you go by putting away a percentage of your earnings each month - you'll be glad you did at tax bill time

    88 day(s) ago

  • Phil lloyd

    Never plan every minute of your day - it's just asking for trouble when something arises that you haven't factored in!

    88 day(s) ago

  • Raymond jones

    This is probably not the right place to put this but, just an idea. A browser extension or something similar to the Gmail notification icon for chrome where registered translators receive a message when any available translations are posted in their accounts.... Just an idea.

    94 day(s) ago

  • Pascale

    Look at every task you do and work out a way to work smarter, not harder - then see how much time you can save while maintaining the same income. Or how much additional income you can make as a result of getting more done!

    95 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use financial targets to keep your income on track and be sure to reward yourself when you have a good month

    102 day(s) ago

  • Pablo

    See every mistake as an opportunity to learn and don't be too harsh on yourself!

    101 day(s) ago

  • Zelda

    If you speak two languages, it's not only a career in translation that is a possibility. You can also market your services as a copy writer, proofreader and editor in more than one country!

    108 day(s) ago

  • Horst

    If you win a translation job for a big company, be sure to ask if they have a style guide BEFORE you begin translating!

    115 day(s) ago

  • Henri

    Create a serene working environment to perform at your best

    123 day(s) ago

  • Camilla

    You're never too old nor too experienced to learn more!

    130 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Track your income in order to ensure that you're earning at least enough to keep up with the rising cost of living

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Log your income then set your self targets to beat it, as a way to motivate yourself

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Upsell your services whenever appropriate - if a client needs packaging translation to sell goods overseas, can you also helpl with manual translation or financial translation as part of their venture?

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    If you're working with a client that is starting to sell products overseas, help them to understand the different types of translatio that they may need to use

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be sure to localize your translation for the region your audience reside in, as well as the country

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Prioritise relationship-building for customers who need website translation, as it tends to develop into an ongoing requirement

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    TED talks can be an engaging way to boost your professional development - trying listening to at least one per week to see the difference that doing so can make

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use TED talks to inspire and motivate you when you're having a bad day

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Rajesh

    Freelancing can be a lonely business. Network online to build a supportive web of like-minded professionals. Doing so can be really helpful if you need encouragement or have a problem to deal with. It's also a great way to help other freelancers!

    138 day(s) ago

  • Corrina harmer

    See each new translation as an opportunity to learn and improve, no matter how large or small it may be!

    144 day(s) ago

  • Corina

    Remember to factor in time for yourself while freelancing. It's easy to get so focused on chasing after the money that you burn out, so make time to reset and focus on you as well.

    152 day(s) ago

  • Flora

    Sometimes I find that taking a break when trying to translate a tricky paragraph can really help. Coming back at it with fresh eyes can make it suddenly click into place!

    158 day(s) ago

  • Helga

    Even if you are forced into freelancing by circumstance, embrace it and make the most of it to end up with a career that you love :-)

    166 day(s) ago

  • Phillip

    Always be the best you can be and act with integrity - don't compromise your standards for anyone!

    172 day(s) ago

  • Selena goncalves

    If you get distracted by social media, close your Facebook page while working! A notification 'bing' can end up being a very unproductive 15 minutes (or more!) if you let yourself get sucked in!

    180 day(s) ago

  • Frances

    Accept that some clients are more awkward than others. In fact, some can be such a drain on your time that it might be better to walk away and find new clients instead. The feeling of relief when you do so will prove that it was the right decision and doing so is no reflection on your abilities!

    186 day(s) ago

  • Kerry-anne

    Don't fall into a trap of letting others define how and when you work, but remember that freelancing can be what you make of it!

    193 day(s) ago

  • Alice

    Be realistic about working with young children around - some tasks simply require too much concentration to do while you're also entertaining the kids!

    200 day(s) ago

  • Phil

    If you've lost your momentum and are struggling to translate, a quick break can do wonders. I often find that taking a few minutes out to focus on something else can leave me better able to translate once I pick up what I'm working on again

    207 day(s) ago

  • Arthur franks

    Communication skills are a huge part of successful freelance translating. The way you communicate with your customers will mean a huge amount in terms of the likelihood of them giving you future work. Amazing language skills alone aren't enough if you want to maximize repeat business opportunities!

    214 day(s) ago

  • Flora

    I like to take advantage of bad weather by getting ahead with my work, do that when the sun comes out I can work fewer hours. It doesn’t always work out that way, but it’s a good goal to keep in mind!

    221 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Remember that working hard is not the same as working efficiently - a boost in your productivity could mean more money or more free time!

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be sure to keep abreast of the latest productivity tools and apps in order to keep translating as efficiently as possible

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Exercise your mind regularly in order to be more focused and alert at work - and see what a difference it makes

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Start each day with a mental agility exercise and see how much more focused you are at work

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Keeping on top of your financial admin can make for a much happier translation career

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Want to make a difference in the world? Many charities and community organisations will be grateful for pro bono translations

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Smile before you interact with those around you and it will likely be returned in kind, making everyone's day brighter

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Work out what you want from your translation career. Otherwise, how will you achieve it?

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Always proofread your translations - don't risk typos slipping through in final documents

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    The faster you type, the more time you have to focus on producing the perfect translation

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Play with synonyms to ensure you always have the perfect words in mind for each translation

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Keep up to date with language changes in order to stay at the top of your game

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Step into the shoes of your target audience before you start work, then localize as you translate

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Think laterally about how else you can use your translation talents in order to boost your income

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    For successful side gigs, seek out services that complement your translation work

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Spread the risk of working freelance by offering more services than just translation

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Check to see if your business translation client has a house style guide before you start translating

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be sure that you know your client's deadline, as well as any factors that could bring that deadline forward

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Attend a variety of translation events to network with your peers, from conferences to translation slams

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use resources such as discussion boards and translation channels whenever you have a query that needs a fast response

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Providing an efficient service is all about using the right tools - for communication as well as translation

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Carlos

    Don't sell every minute of your time in advance, as then you won't have the capacity to deal with any unforeseen delays with your work

    229 day(s) ago

  • James p

    Be bold and daring when the opportunity allows and your profits should reflect that approach

    237 day(s) ago

  • Tony

    If you're not clear on client expectations, double check - don't assume, as you could end up wasting a lot of time!

    240 day(s) ago

  • Trisha

    I use a brief, regular newsletter as a marketing tactic. Even if recipients don't read it every time, it keeps my name fresh in their minds

    251 day(s) ago

  • Jesus

    Don't put off dealing with your tax return until the last minute. Allow plenty of time and it will be much less stressful - take it from an experienced freelancer!

    256 day(s) ago

  • Ellice

    I recommend playing around with your working hours every so often to find out what works best for you. Some weeks I choose to work a few evenings and then have an extra day off before or after the weekend. I love that working freelance provides that kind of freedom!

    262 day(s) ago

  • Jonathan peters

    Don't push yourself to translate when you're overly tired, as that's when mistakes can creep in. Sometimes a brief catnap can make a big difference to your energy levels and your attention span, even when you have a deadline looming!

    270 day(s) ago

  • Laila

    Try not to take your work on holiday with you if you can help it, but remember that sometimes working freelance means having to work at inconvenient times

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Alicia

    Start planning your holiday cover a long time before you head away so that you can deal with any last minute work that arises without it becoming an issue and spoiling your break

    284 day(s) ago