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TRANSLATORS' TIPS

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TRANSLATORS TIPS
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  • Frank

    Get to know other freelancers and swop skills - it will help to keep you motivated and not feel lonely

    11 day(s) ago

  • Ahmed

    Learn to say NO! Don’t take on more than you can reasonably cope with or you may come to regret it

    19 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Tackle your marketing activity over the summer while it's quiet, then reap the benefits for the rest of the year

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use the quiet summer months to boost your skills - then put your prices up to reflect your enhanced service

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Pick up new clients by helping out when their usual translators are on holiday

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Give your clients plenty of warning if you're going to take a break and don't want to be disturbed while you're away

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Plan your holidays around seasonal quiet periods like August and January to get away with minimal hassle

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    You don't have to miss out on holidays as a freelancer, but you do have to plan more carefully for them

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be prepared to work extra hours in the run up to your summer vacation - it will be worth it once you get away!

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use an incentive to encourage clients not to stray when you return from a long summer break

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Approach freelancing like running a business to maximise your income

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be disciplined in your approach - as a freelancer, organisation is your friend

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use basic accounting software to make issuing and chasing your invoices more streamlined

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Think about payment terms before issuing your first invoice - healthy cash-flow is essential for freelancers

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Make sure any 'special' rates you offer are strictly time-limited

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Build enough to cover holidays into your rates, so that you can afford to take time off

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Decide how many hours per day you want to work and stick to it. At least most of the time!

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Work out what you need to earn in order to live the lifestyle you are happy with and then set your rates

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Take out insurance that's relevant to your role - key man insurance can work well for freelance translators

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Make sure you know which taxes you are liable for - it's your responsibility as a freelancer

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Take tax advice before establishing your company structure - it could save you a fair amount of money

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    If invoicing, tax and marketing fill you with dread, it might be better to work for a translation company rather than freelance

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Language skills and business skills don't always go hand in hand, so seek help on the business side if you need it

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Google 'MIT Open Courseware' to discover a whole host of language courses

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Pitch your translation services to local businesses - you never know what may come of it!

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    If you're new to freelance translation, check out online marketplace sites to pick up clients quickly

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Going freelance means you don't have to share your earnings with an employer

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Working for a translation agency is a quick and easy route into a translation career

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Volunteering to translate for a charity is a great way to do good while building up your translation experience

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Gain experience through volunteering if you need references and can't find immediate employment

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Preserve both meter and rhyme for successful poetry translation

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be hyper aware of cultural preferences and quirks to avoid a localization fail! 

    32 day(s) ago

  • Carolyn jones

    You know at which time of day you are most productive, so schedule your day around these times!

    32 day(s) ago

  • Chrissie

    Plan ahead: take some time at the beginning of every week to organise yourself

    39 day(s) ago

  • Magnus donaldson

    If working from home, prepare yourself as if working elsewhere, get dressed etc.

    48 day(s) ago

  • Frankie khan

    Be clear on what your working hours are, make non work appointments outside these hours where possible so as not to interrupt your day

    54 day(s) ago

  • Nandakumar g

    Always go through the source file towards the last paragraph before you start translation. You may find some text strings are to be repeated at several places and to ensure consistency you must ready the perfect translation for that string and place the same wherever it appear repeatedly !

    57 day(s) ago

  • Claire

    If working from home, make sure people know that and avoid distracting you

    62 day(s) ago

  • Fransisco martinez

    Break a large piece of work into smaller sections to make it seem less daunting

    69 day(s) ago

  • Cary

    Be sure you are familiar with cultural differences, both during your translation work and for dealing with customers

    76 day(s) ago

  • Andie p

    Never be afraid to ask for advice to avoid costly mistakes

    83 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Always consider the potential for future work from the same client before accepting or declining a translation job

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Don't be afraid to upsell - if you offer desktop publishing, localization, certified translation or rush translation then let every client know

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Ask whether localization, desktop publishing or other services are required before accepting a translation job

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Consider the nature of a job's content before accepting so that you fully understand waht you are undertaking

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be clear before accepting a translation job on what it pays, the payment method and the payment timescale

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Always ask yourself if accepting a proposed translation job will leave you with enough time to eat, sleep and socialise!

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Research the speakers in advance to know who to approach when attending a translation conference

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Always have business cards to hand when attending a translation conference

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Immerse yourself in language and never stop learning - you will be a better translator as a result

    32 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Read your translation aloud to ensure the language flows as it should

    32 day(s) ago

  • Reza

    Be friendly towards your clients but at all times remain professional

    90 day(s) ago

  • Roz walker

    Set yourself realistic goals. Don’t make promises unless you are sure you can keep to them!

    90 day(s) ago

  • Alexandra

    Take regular breaks and if possible get outside even for a few minutes: it is recommended for health to take at least 250 steps each hour

    95 day(s) ago

  • Hank p charson

    Get your online bills paid, your emails sent and your social media updates done BEFORE you start translating. That way you can get stuck into your work without too many distractions.

    104 day(s) ago

  • Milla

    Keep a small bowl of fruit on your desk for healthy snacks while you work. You'll get more vitamins, plus your desk will look nicer!

    109 day(s) ago

  • Eddy p

    Don't translate too late into the night. If you're trying to finish an urgent job, it can be better to get some sleep and start early the next day, rather than struggling on when you're tired. Translating when tired means a lot more potential for mistakes!

    115 day(s) ago

  • Karim

    Remember that as a freelancer, saving money by cutting down on your business expenses can be just as important as making money by increasing your income

    132 day(s) ago

  • Flo

    Spend 10 minutes each day reading articles and tips (like these!) about how to improve your efficiency, skills, etc. A tiny daily time commitment can end up making a really big difference to your productivity and professional development.

    137 day(s) ago

  • C. taboa

    Take care of your life admin at the very start or end of the day. That way the bulk of your focus can be on your translation work, without interruptions.

    160 day(s) ago

  • Jorge

    Set yourself 'personal best' challenges with rewards to boost your translation speed - and have some fun in the process :-)

    171 day(s) ago

  • Harry phillips

    If you're struggling to get started with a translation, ask yourself why. Tackle the reason behind your lack of motivation first and then the translation should flow much more swiftly!

    179 day(s) ago

  • Mohammed

    Never commit to more than you can manage - it's a road that leads to disappointed clients

    195 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Network both locally and globally - you never know where your next business opportunity may arise!

    95 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Join local events to boost your business. If there's nothing around, start your own event!

    95 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Keep your personal and professional networks separate on social media

    95 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Sharing an office with a fellow freelancer could boost your motivation and productivity levels

    95 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Tidying your desk can reduce stress and improve focus - what are you waiting for?

    95 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Put your hardest/least favourite tasks at the top of your list - get them done first to avoid putting them off until the last minute

    95 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Don't plan every minute of your working week - plan just 50% to 75% of it to allow time to respond to interruptions

    95 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Only check your email, Facebook and other distractions once per hour to boost your productivity

    95 day(s) ago

  • Sally

    Reach out to fellow freelancers on social media. You never know what job opportunities it might result in. Plus it's great to have people to bounce ideas off if you're thinking of making changes to the way you work, your rates, your niche, etc.

    204 day(s) ago

  • S groves

    Declutter your desk in order to boost your productivity - a tidy desk means a tidy mind!

    213 day(s) ago

  • Paulo sanchez

    Keep yourself motivated when working on your own in whatever way works best for you - for me it's music playing quietly in the background and regular snack breaks!

    228 day(s) ago

  • Algernon p

    Keep a database of all your client's contact details, right from the outset - it's much easier to put one in place when you only have a few clients than it is to go back and add them all after you've been in business for a while!

    237 day(s) ago

  • Linda mayhew

    Check your competitors' rates regularly to ensure that your prices are where they should be

    244 day(s) ago

  • Lola k

    If you get stuck while translating, take a quick break and let your brain rest - often stepping away from your desk for 5 minutes can ensure you are refreshed enough to move forward when you return

    251 day(s) ago

  • Alexander

    Aviod client companies reps who have email address registerd on free hosts (e.g. myclient@gmail.com or anemail@hotmail.com). There are a great deal of non-paying frauders!

    256 day(s) ago

  • Marion rhodes

    Make time for continuous marketing. You never know when your current client well might dry up. Half an hour a day can go a long way.

    259 day(s) ago

  • Sarah symons glegorio

    Minimize distractions, even if it means putting your phone on silent and out of sight for a little while.

    265 day(s) ago

  • Jessica

    Take regular breaks to give your eyes and brain a rest - you'll end up getting your work done faster if you do!

    263 day(s) ago

  • Ally

    Keep your desk free of clutter in order to help your brain focus on translating and not get distracted

    265 day(s) ago

  • Jeff

    Translate one word at a time

    280 day(s) ago

  • Jeff

    Take it one word at a time

    282 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    A decent translation company should always use human translators instead of machines

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Always read through customer reviews before commiting to a translation company

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Work on your typing speed to boost your overall translation speed and therefore your income

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Avoid embarrassing 'lost in translation' moments by always opting for a native, professional, human translator

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Always have a good book (or website) of idioms and expressions to hand to avoid lost time

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Connect with other translators on social media to avoid loneliness and keep your motiviation up

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use positive feedback to identify parts of your service for which you could charge a premium

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use negative feedback to help identify training needs and areas in which you could do better

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use positive feedback to motivate you, just like an employee would use praise from his or her boss

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Invest in a shredder to dispose of your clients' hardcopy paperwork confidentially

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Ensure your computer and backup drive are encrypted to protect your clients' information

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Write a marketing plan to clarify your thinking around your goals - what do you want and how are you going to get it?

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    For the perfect translation CV, ensure just the right balance of skills, experience, practical details and personality

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use fall as a time to take stock of your successes, consider rate increases and review your financial systems

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Build contingency time into every job - life has a habit of getting in the way!

    288 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Never set a rate than is lower than you are happy with just to get a job - you will end up resenting the job, even if you get it!

    288 day(s) ago