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TRANSLATORS' TIPS

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TRANSLATORS TIPS
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  • Alexander hilton

    Use your language skills to follow your dreams - bilinguals have far more options open to them when it comes to living and working overseas, so why not see the world and put your language skills to good use while you do?

    5 hour(s) ago

  • Candice

    Just because a client asks for a discount, doesn't mean you have to give one! Stick to your guns and know what your time is worth. If a client isn't prepared to pay a decent rate, find another one who will!

    9 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Make sure that your clients are aware of every service that you offer - after all, upselling a service such as localization or globalization could mean a higher fee

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Offering skills such as globalization can be a great way to gain more clients

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Are you keeping up with translation trends and offering globalization services as well as localization? It could pay to do so!

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    When registering on freelance translation platforms, pay particular attention to how the payment system works and who pays the fees

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Registering on multiple translation platforms can mean finding more potential jobs, but also more time spent searching for those jobs

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Do you offer social media and chat bot translation services to your clients? Both are likely to be needed more in the future

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Make sure you respond quickly when potential clients approach you on social media in order that you can impress them with your swift customer service

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Use social media sites that relate to all of the languages that you translate in order to maximise potential business opportunities

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be active and engaged on social media sites in order to get the best out of them

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Share, create and like relevant content in order to boost your online presence on social media

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Ensure you have a reputable online presence that makes the most of social media as a marketing tool

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Ask clients in detail about the purpose and intended audience of their documents in order to help focus the translation correctly

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be sure to advertise your localization service clearly, so that clients don't move on to another translator who shouts louder about their localization offering

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Clients look for translator reviews online, so be sure you have plenty of positive reviews out there

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be careful of inadvertent gender stereotyping when translating words that take a gender in one language but not another

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Larissa

    Whichever CAT tools you use, keep the translation memories up to date to keep getting maximum benefit from them!

    13 day(s) ago

  • Timothy

    Networking is about more than just getting new clients. I've made a couple of great contacts who I am comfortable sharing the odd piece of work with - if I'm going on holiday, for example. They can do the same with me and it works for everyone - including our clients.

    20 day(s) ago

  • Tariq

    Sometimes I get so lost in meeting clients' deadlines and the pressures of work that I forget to take advantage of the freelance lifestyle. It's easy to do, so I try and force myself to take at least a couple of hours each week to do something fun that I wouldn't be able to do if I worked 9-5

    27 day(s) ago

  • Clare

    I find that translation conferences and events can be a great way to get a fresh burst of inspiration, as well as a chance to see a new part of the world

    35 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Monitor your digital marketing activity to assess your ROI, then tweak your approach based on what works

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Set your digital marketing spend and stick to your budget, while building in the flexibility to reallocate expenditure based on results

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Have a clear digital marketing strategy in place to define your approach and maximise your chances of success

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Consider sending your clients a token gift at the end of each year - something thoughtful is often better than something expensive

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Have plans in place for dealing with clients who interrupt your holidays and you'll find the situation much less stressful

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    If you want to relax during your holiday, offer your clients a discount for work booked in once you return, to encourage them to delay booking jobs temporarily

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Announce a 'coming shortly' rate rise during a quiet time to encourage your clients to send in work before the higher price kicks in

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Be prepared for a flurry of work as soon as you announce your holiday dates, as clients rush to get their jobs in before you go

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Give as much notice as possible of your planned time off, to ensure your clients can easily and happily accommodate it

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    There are plenyy of translation tools out there that can help you to translate faster and more efficiently. Have you tried the latest ones?

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    When did you last refresh your knowledge of available translation technology? If it was a while ago, could you be missing out?

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    If you work too many hours, but don't want a drop in income, why not increase your rates and work fewer hours?

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Have fun with language immersion, from songs and videos to online games, to keep your passion for languages alive

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Learn a new area of translation expertise to keep your enthusiasm for languages alive, as well as to provide a fuller translation service to your clients

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Tomedes

    Adopt a lifelong approach to learning to keep up to date with language evolution

    2019 year(s) ago

  • Winston p

    I used to hate generating invoices for my clients, but finding the right invoicing software made the whole process easier. It's worth trying out a couple of different software systems if you don't like the first one you use, as some are more intuitive than others!

    41 day(s) ago

  • Clare wells

    If you have the 'back to work blues' try to tick all the worst jobs off your list first, then the rest of your day can only get better!

    48 day(s) ago

  • Flora

    Be sure to relax over the Christmas period so that you're refreshed and ready to tackle 2019 when it arrives!

    62 day(s) ago

  • Frances turner

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

    69 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

    76 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

    83 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?

    91 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

    98 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!

    104 day(s) ago

  • Benny

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

    113 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!

    125 day(s) ago

  • Tanya

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

    133 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!

    139 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 :-)

    147 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

    153 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

    153 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

    153 day(s) ago

  • Tomedes

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

    153 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

    153 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

    153 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!

    153 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.

    159 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!

    160 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

    167 day(s) ago

  • Pablo

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

    166 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!

    173 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!

    180 day(s) ago

  • Henri

    Create a serene working environment to perform at your best

    188 day(s) ago

  • Camilla

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

    196 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!

    203 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!

    209 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.

    217 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!

    223 day(s) ago