TRANSLATORS' TIPS

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TRANSLATORS TIPS
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  • Karl

    You don't have to have just one career. If you can translate well, you can probably also proofread and edit. I like to take on a mix of all three, to keep my working life interesting.

    10 hour(s) ago

  • Sharron

    Freelancers need breaks just as much as employees. Be kind to yourself when you're your own boss. Your work will improve as a result of you being well rested.

    6 day(s) ago

  • Demelsa

    Keep your tech skills up to date as well as your language skills for maximum success!

    13 day(s) ago

  • Ben

    Find your own working patterns - it doesn't matter what works for others, it's what works for you that counts!

    20 day(s) ago

  • Emmie

    I use a step counter to make sure I get enough exercise, even when I'm working on a huge translation project. I find it helps me be more productive and have a clearer mind to exercise regularly, plus it helps de-stress me.

    27 day(s) ago

  • Rachel

    If you're feeling overwhelmed and you have too much work on, step outside and breathe. A quick walk in the fresh air can do wonders for my productivity levels and help me tackle my work with a clearer head.

    34 day(s) ago

  • Mike

    Stay one step ahead by keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date, sharing relevant translation articles and posting regularly. Then, when you need work, potential clients should be familiar with your expertise already.

    41 day(s) ago

  • Annabel

    Make the most of the summer sunshine by scheduling your work around fun activities. After all, isn't that a big part of why being a freelance translator is such a great career choice?

    48 day(s) ago

  • Marisa

    Learning a specialist area of translation is a great way to keep your interest in the profession alive. It can help with getting more clients too!

    55 day(s) ago

  • Francis hilton

    Don't rely on just one client or one type of work these days - variety is key to survival!

    62 day(s) ago

  • Clarissa

    Did you get into translation through experience and without professional qualifications? If so, would it help to add those skills to your portfolio now? Personally, I found doing so to be a really valuable experience

    69 day(s) ago

  • Karolyn

    Remember to focus on improving your non-translation skills as well as your translation skills. There are plenty of courses online on topics like customer service that can help translators to grow and develop.

    78 day(s) ago

  • Janet

    Keep your work varied to keep it interesting

    84 day(s) ago

  • Viola

    Make sure you keep up with industry trends so that your translation services are always in demand.

    90 day(s) ago

  • Kiara

    You might be used to working from home, but are your clients? Be aware that they may be struggling in certain ways - and you can be there to help them!

    97 day(s) ago

  • Kris

    Distractions are all around us. We might not be able to change the distractions but we can alter how we respond to them.

    104 day(s) ago

  • Faisil

    When did you last learn something new? There's always an excuse to put off learning. Why not find a reason to make it a priority instead?

    111 day(s) ago

  • Demelsa

    Can't attend a translation conference in person due to lockdown? Then why not seek out one online? There are plenty of excellent virtual events to attend

    118 day(s) ago

  • Zacky

    Being organised is the key to effective remote working when you translate for a living - as well as language skills, of course!

    125 day(s) ago

  • Harry s

    Work/life balance is more important than ever during lockdown. Try to carve out some time for yourself every day

    132 day(s) ago

  • Bryan

    Are you still social distancing? Take this time to expand your vocabulary and take the time to learn terminologies in a specialized field.

    133 day(s) ago

  • Samantha khan

    Don't let the COVID-19 pandemic grind you down. Translate, learn and remember that the situation won't last forever

    139 day(s) ago

  • Carrie-ann

    If you can, work for multiple clients to spread your income and your risk.

    146 day(s) ago

  • Lucy

    Working from home and educating your kids too during the lockdown? Give yourself a break from time to time - you might not feel you can fit it in, but you'll feel so much better for it that your productivity levels will soar!

    153 day(s) ago

  • Winnie

    You are never too old to learn something new, whether that means sharpening your translation skills or learning a new language entirely to keep your mind alert and youthful!

    160 day(s) ago

  • Scotty

    Until the world gets back to normal, just do what you can in terms of managing work and other responsibilities!

    167 day(s) ago

  • Mairie

    Stuck at home due to coronavirus? Try to see it as a chance to focus on your translation career and professional development!

    174 day(s) ago

  • Hakim

    Remember that we are all only human. Sometimes that means you reach your limits. Give yourself kindness and understanding during times of work pressure.

    181 day(s) ago

  • Luis

    If you're juggling work and childcare at the moment thanks to the coronavirus, make sure that you don't burn out. Remember that many others are in the same boat and you don't have to do it all!

    188 day(s) ago

  • Kirsten

    Don't present your clients with problems if something goes wrong, present them with solutions. They'll appreciate your efforts far more!

    195 day(s) ago

  • Claire rollings

    Keep your interest in the languages you speak in whatever way works for you - make sure that translation remains the career that you love over the years

    202 day(s) ago

  • Phil s

    Always review a document thoroughly before you quote to translate it. Offering a price without understanding the job fully is a recipe for disaster!

    209 day(s) ago

  • Chloe

    Don't panic if you take too much work on - it won't help! Stay calm and you will be able to find a way to deal with it all.

    217 day(s) ago

  • Johnny evans

    Be sure to build time to relax into your working week. It's not always a priority for freelancers, but it should be if you want a decent work-life balance.

    223 day(s) ago

  • Tamara

    Be timely - your clients will appreciate it, whether or not they realise it consciously!

    230 day(s) ago

  • Olive

    Keep you accounts in order - strictly! As soon as you lose a grip on your finances, it's really hard to reestablish control.

    238 day(s) ago

  • Pete

    Be careful how much work you quote for - bear in mind that you'll need to deliver on all of those quotes if clients accept them!

    244 day(s) ago

  • Carole james

    Why is it that no matter how many times I try to avoid it, I always book out every hour of the day and leave no time for contingencies? Remember that all it takes is one of your kids being ill and off school for a day to completely disrupt your workload. Be sure to build in contingency time!

    251 day(s) ago

  • Mohammed

    Make it your goal to deliver amazing customer service and your customers will keep coming back for more

    258 day(s) ago

  • Sarah dee

    You can always be better at what you do - never stop learning!

    265 day(s) ago

  • Mark

    If you're not inspired to return to work after the holidays, think about why that is and what you can change about your career in order that you can wake up each day fired up about translating for a living!

    274 day(s) ago

  • Lou h

    Use the Christmas holiday season to take a proper break from work - you'll likely feel refreshed and re-inspired as a result of doing so

    287 day(s) ago

  • Chris

    Always have a contingency fund when you translate freelance - the life (and specifically the income) of a freelancer can turn on a dime!

    293 day(s) ago

  • Jeremy

    Make sure you trust your instincts!

    301 day(s) ago

  • Felicity barnard

    Remember that looking after yourself and your mental and physical health is an important part of freelancing effectively

    307 day(s) ago

  • Paola

    Don't leave things until just before their deadlines if you can help it. It only takes a single unexpected occurrence to create a whole load of stress if you do!

    314 day(s) ago

  • Chris

    Don't leave translations to the last minute or the quality of your work is likely to suffer!

    321 day(s) ago

  • Pierre

    Never stop learning and you will always enjoy your translation career!

    328 day(s) ago

  • Keisha

    Don't let the fact you work freelance lead to unhealthy habits. Keep snacks healthy and fit in time to exercise and you'll perform better at work as well as feeling better!

    335 day(s) ago

  • Brindy

    Some days, you're just not feeling it. If your workload permits, give yourself a break on those days and you'll most likely feel re-inspired the following day and be more productive as a result. It certainly works for me!

    349 day(s) ago

  • Mindy thompson-jones

    Set some of your translation income aside every month. That way you won't need to panic when your tax bill arrives or unexpected expenses crop up.

    356 day(s) ago

  • Benji p

    Always communicate positively and swiftly with your clients - they will appreciate it and choose you over those whose communications are more sporadic!

    364 day(s) ago

  • Carol-ann

    You never know where your next translation job might come from, so nurture your business contacts and make the most of social networking sites like LinkedIn!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Ishmail

    I network online with fellow translators so that I have peers to engage with for moral support

    1 year(s) ago

  • Mohammed

    Beware of translation contracts that sound too good to be true because they probably are!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Clarissa

    Make the most of people's 'back to work' enthusiasm this month in terms of getting projects moving!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Sarah t

    You can never predict when you'll catch a bug. Sometimes when you work freelance you have to work through it, but if your illness is compromising the quality of your work, it might be time to push back your deadlines. Never an easy decision!!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Claire

    Keep your translation skills alive by both studying and using your second language during your leisure time. Doing so will keep you language skills up to date and (I find, at least) keep your love of your second language alive

    1 year(s) ago

  • Flo

    If you're struggling with too much work temporarily, knuckle down and do it, but if you're regularly feeling stressed and overloaded, work out what you can change to either reduce your workload or work more efficiently

    1 year(s) ago

  • Shona

    The summer break can be hard when you juggle kids and work, but remember that you can only do as much as you can do - and that it won't be long until school starts up again!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Kirstin peters

    If a client vexes you, take a deep breath before reacting and try to see the situation from their perspective. There's often a positive solution just waiting to be found!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Melissa huntingdon

    Try not to be too despondent when you have a dip in your freelancing income. It can be tough at times, but the right attitude and some good marketing of your translation service can turn things around!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Teresa maria freixinho

    Remember to update your key information on clients' online portals. It is particularly important for emails and CVs. A failure to do so may result in exclusion, especially when it comes to new emails. It is always time to improve and learn from our silly mistakes.

    1 year(s) ago

  • Cressida

    Be sure to squirrel away some savings when you work freelance, as you never know when a client will disappear, even when you've done everything right for them

    1 year(s) ago

  • Jaime t

    Remember that you can always improve your language skills. I read everything I can get my hands on in the languages that I speak. It's good to mix up the content you read too, from glossy magazines to classic fiction!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Reward yourself as you complete tasks - the harder the task, the bigger the reward!

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    For long, tedious tasks, track your progress in order to feel a sense of achievement as you undertake them

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Tackle tedious tasks first thing in order to get them out of the way and stop yourself procrastinating

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use 'to do' lists to enjoy a sense of achievement throughout the day

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Shut down social media sites for the duration of the working day and enjoy being more productive as a result

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Time hour-long bursts of work in order to laser-focus your productivity

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Everyone needs professional support from time to time. Whether you need an accountant, a mentor or a counsellor, the sooner you ask, the sooner you can focus on your translation work again

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Identify the aspects of translation that you love the most and develop your freelance translation offering to include more of them

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Maximise your downtime by switching off your phone and ignoring emails - you'll be better rested as a result

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Prioritise your downtime - without the right work/life balance, the quality of your translations will suffer

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Mix with fellow freelancers to receive support and understanding from those who appreciate the pressures of the freelance lifestyle

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Remind your video translation clients that different languages use different numbers of words - so they need to leave plenty of room for subtitles

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Ceriann

    I believe that it's important to trust your instincts when it comes to new translation clients. You're never obliged to accept a job if something doesn't feel quite right about the client, so listen to that inner voice - it's there for a reason!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Zola

    I've just started using a proper accounting software program to raise my invoices - it's so much less painful than doing them manually!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Films, songs and books are a great way to keep your language skills fresh and to pick up the latest slang

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Make sure you immerse yourself in your second language regularly, to keep it fresh

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use your second language every day, even when you're not using it for work

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Find words that you don't know in your first language and learn them at the same time as their translation

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Networking through LinkedIn and Facebook can be a great way to support and be supported by fellow freelancers

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Remember to treat yourself from time to time to keep your motivation levels up when working freelance

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Making changes in your personal life can often help to reinspire you at work as well, when you work freelance

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Goal setting is a great motivator for many people. If you work freelance, set a range of short and long-term goals to keep yourself motivated

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Learning a new skill can be a great way to keep yourself motivated when you work freelance - and to boost your income

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    If you're feeling demotivated, it's time to work out why - doing so will help you rectify the situation much faster

    2020 year(s) ago

  • Zuza

    Freelance translation work often comes in bursts. Make sure you use the busy times to save up for the lean times!

    1 year(s) ago

  • John

    Don't rely on a sole source of income if you can avoid it - freelancing feels safer when you have money coming in from several directions!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Karen peters

    When it comes to marketing your translation services, pursue the channels that you enjoy first and see what results you can generate. If it goes well, you might not need to engage in marketing activities that don't appeal to you!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Chris piper

    Don't make assumptions - if you're not clear on your remit, check with the client rather than risk getting it wrong!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Caris

    I try and do something every month for my professional development. I find it doesn't just help with my translation skills but also with keeping me motivated and making sure that I enjoy the work that I do as fully as possible.

    1 year(s) ago

  • Zora

    Keep your love for language alive in fun ways. I connect with translators on social media and we exchange the latest slang words in our native languages - some of them are hilarious!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Carrie

    Taking on enough translation work to challenge yourself is good. Taking on so much that you have to rush and the quality of your work suffers is not!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Frances

    Make sure you are 100% clear with clients on what they need from the outset - it will save time and headaches later on, believe me!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Albert scorer

    Prioritise your downtime, even when you're really busy as that's when you're likely to need it most!

    1 year(s) ago

  • Zack

    Try not to compare your working life to others too much - what's important is getting the balance right for you and your family

    1 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Companies look for specialist translators, so don't just say you provide 'financial translation' but include which areas of financial translation you cover

    2020 year(s) ago