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TRANSLATORS' TIPS

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TRANSLATORS TIPS
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  • M santos

    Keep your tech skills up to date - being a successful translator isn't just about language skills!

    6 day(s) ago

  • Juliana

    Be active in LinkedIn groups that relate to your work and you never know what opportunities might arise

    13 day(s) ago

  • Nathaly p

    Always read a good book, it will improve your language skills

    14 day(s) ago

  • Kareem

    I'm sure you all excellent translators ,but Be careful with the cultural differences

    21 day(s) ago

  • Juliana

    Mess is distracting - keep your work space clean and free of clutter

    26 day(s) ago

  • Lizzy

    Have a definitive finishing time each day and stick to it - it's the only way to ensure a decent work/life balance when you work from home!

    34 day(s) ago

  • Alejandro

    Interact with other people if you can during breaks and get out of the house if you can, to ensure that you remain active while home working

    41 day(s) ago

  • Sammy

    Make clear to other people in your household that you are working and do not allow them to distract you - your home working environment needs to be treated just like a professional office!

    47 day(s) ago

  • Karl

    Set yourself goals and deadlines throughout the day to maintain your productivity and energy levels - this is a tip I've been using for year's and it really makes a difference.

    56 day(s) ago

  • Koula

    Work on projects in the morning without distraction and save calls for the afternoon

    62 day(s) ago

  • Jen

    Keep your personal social media separate - don’t waste time during your working day on Facebook and Twitter!

    69 day(s) ago

  • Ashraf

    The best way to achieve success is to offer what others cannot: that includes accuracy, profesionalism and more

    76 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use freelancing to build the work/life balance that works for you

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be realistic in your expectations about freelancing to ensure you enjoy it to the max!

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Make sure you have the skills to back up your passion if you want to be successful

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Invest in a decent internet connection for a happy freelance life

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Build up a good support network to help you weather the freelance lifestyle

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Post your testimonials regularly on social media for marketing purposes

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Try out professional (free) email solutions to make your marketing messages stand out

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use one-time discounts and offers to attract more clients

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use LinkedIn for marketing purposes to ensure you reach as many potential clients as possible

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Introduce a referral scheme to boost your translation client numbers with very little effort

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Divide up your tasks so that you separate out those that require 100% concentration

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Think up creative challenges for your children, then focus on your work while they complete them

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Give older children the chance to earn pocket money be completing chores while you get your work done

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Ensure that your children have times that are 100% for them - then they'll be happier about letting you focus on work at other times!

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Define what success means to you - you won't achieve it if you don't know what it looks like!

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Minimize life admin in order to focus more effectively on your work

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Avoid multi-tasking whenever possible - it's not effective

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Put your phone on silent and close messaging apps to achieve better focus and work faster

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Cut out caffeine to improve your focus and concentration

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Put your rates up regularly to keep pace with inflation

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Download a workout app to keep you moving during the working day

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Incorporate exercise into your daily routine and make sure you stick to it

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Make exercise sociable and join a running club or local team - don't be a lonely freelancer!

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    If you work from home, plan healthy meals to keep in shape, rather than turning to junk food at the last minute

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Keep a bowl of fruit on your desk to encourage healthy snacking

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Take strategic naps as part of your freelance lifestyle - research shows you'll be more productive as a result

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Ensure your invoices look professional - they represent your approach to your finances

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Save for the unexpected - freelacing isn't always predictable

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Do extra work in the weeks before each holiday to ensure that you don't lose out on income

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Charge extra for rush translation jobs, even if you have nothing else on - there's a precedent at stake

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Don't volunteer as a crowd-sourced translator for a for-profit company - it makes them think that translation isn't worth paying for!

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Think before contributing to crowd-sourced translation projects - are you doing the translation industry a disservice?

    2017 year(s) ago

  • Lydia de las casas

    Make sure you have a dedicated work space, to separate your work time and area clearly from the rest of your life

    83 day(s) ago

  • Joel

    Always ensure you have a contract in place (or another form of written agreement that would stand up in court if necessary!) before starting a job

    89 day(s) ago

  • Kristina

    Keep your portfolio up to date – you never know when clients and potential clients will want to check it out

    97 day(s) ago

  • Archie peters

    Always be clear to clients as to what you do and don’t do – it could save you from wasting time (and money) at a later stage

    104 day(s) ago

  • Lola

    Get up every morning and dress as though you were working outside of the house, it will help your motivation

    111 day(s) ago

  • Fred johnson

    Always ask your clients for feedback – then use it to improve your services. Then put your rates up to reflect your enhanced services! #translationpro

    125 day(s) ago

  • Edwina

    Make a daily to-do list.  A list of tasks you need to take care of each day will help keep you on track and reduce your ability to procrastinate - as long as you don't waste hours on making the list ;-)

    132 day(s) ago

  • Jon

    Treat every client as if they are your very best client and you'll build a reputation for outstanding customer service

    139 day(s) ago

  • James mair

    Put a little money aside in a separate account to see you through when work is limited

    145 day(s) ago

  • Kaya72

    Make sure you update your online presence regularly – you never know when a new client could be checking you out!

    153 day(s) ago

  • Chrissie

    Always keep on top of invoices – once they start stacking up, it’s hard to catch up. Plus, delays in sending invoices mean delays in getting paid!

    160 day(s) ago

  • Frankie

    Use free software when you can, but buy a few premium tools that will make you more productive - don't sacrifice efficiency for the sake of saving a small sum of money!

    167 day(s) ago

  • Jan m

    Always keep a notebook close by to jot down ideas for future use

    173 day(s) ago

  • Isaac

    Do your homework and make sure there is a market for what you are offering!

    193 day(s) ago

  • Shelly

    Always be honest about your expertise and abilities - there's no point saying you can do something when you can't. If you want to offer a service that you can't currently deliver, learn how to do it first!

    201 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Read reviews before agreeing to work for a translation agency to find out what they are like

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Agree payment terms before starting a job to avoid confusion later on

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Google new clients to check there's nothing negative online about them before agreeing to work for them

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Consider staged payments for translation jobs that last for several weeks (or even months)

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use an Escrow account to safeguard payment for large jobs

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Always charge extra for rush translation jobs!

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Do an hour or two extra each day in the weeks before a holiday to cover the income lost while away

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Don’t be afraid to put your prices up every couple of years to cover cost of living rises

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Save for the unexpected - freelancers never know what's round the corner!

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use a decent program so your invoices look as professional as your translations

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Enjoy the flexibility of freelancing in the run up to the holiday season, to counterbalance any interruptions while you're on leave

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use a seasonal greeting email to clients to get work lined up for January, once the festivities are over

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Give your clients plenty of notice of your holiday season leave plans, to avoid a last minute rush of work when you're trying to get away

    209 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Plan for holidays carefully to ensure your cashflow isn't disrupted

    209 day(s) ago

  • Luka chedat

    Always be honest about your expertise and abilities

    209 day(s) ago

  • Koula

    Beware what you put on your social media feed if you use it for business - customers searching for you don’t want to see your recent holiday photos!

    214 day(s) ago

  • Graeme

    If you have a website or social media account, make sure it is regularly updated to keep up with your latest achievements and service offerings

    221 day(s) ago

  • Surinder

    Always respond quickly to communications and you will stand out from many of your competitors

    230 day(s) ago

  • Eli

    Reward good and loyal customers with occasional discounts – but check that doing so won’t hurt your cashflow first!

    236 day(s) ago

  • Sally wich

    A positive attitude is key to building your reputation - you won't get far with negativity!

    251 day(s) ago

  • Emmanuel

    whatever you do in translation be determinant and ready to act perfectly;

    263 day(s) ago

  • Leslie johnston

    Manage your time effectively and avoid distractions to be at your most productive - it will pay dividends!

    271 day(s) ago

  • Frank

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

    284 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

    292 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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 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

    305 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!

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Approach freelancing like running a business to maximise your income

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 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

    305 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    305 day(s) ago