How to get more jobs Thread poster: Marcia Nunziato
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Hi all,
I`ve been working exclusively as a freelance translator since 2019 and business have been changing a lot every month/season.
Of course I know transation business is very inconstant, but it is hard to pay the bills sometimes..
I have approx. 10 regular customers and they usually keep me somewhat busy, but in the last times jobs are becoming rare.
How is your experience? Do you have any indication of good sites to find translation/review ... See more Hi all,
I`ve been working exclusively as a freelance translator since 2019 and business have been changing a lot every month/season.
Of course I know transation business is very inconstant, but it is hard to pay the bills sometimes..
I have approx. 10 regular customers and they usually keep me somewhat busy, but in the last times jobs are becoming rare.
How is your experience? Do you have any indication of good sites to find translation/review jobs?
Have a wondeful day!
[Modifié le 2022-05-04 15:01 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Baran Keki 
Türkiye
Local time: 11:03
Member
English to Turkish
| Just out of interest | May 4, 2022 |
Marcia Nunziato wrote:
I`ve been working exclusively as a freelance translator since 2019
If you've been working since 2019, then why have you been paying an annual membership fee to this website since 2007? I know it's none of my business, but it really doesn't make any sense...
As for good sites to find translation/review jobs, this website must have been the best around the time you became a paid member (and a good ten years thereafter), and I guess it's still better than most other freelance websites.
| | | | ATIL KAYHAN
Türkiye
Local time: 11:03
Member (2007)
Turkish to English
+ ...
| Slow for Translators Lately? | May 4, 2022 |
I have not been getting much job requests lately, either. Especially since Covid outbreak, it has been extremely slow in terms of business. I put my CV/resume at a few translation agency websites but did not hear from them. Then again, one of the best ways is to follow the job postings at ProZ, and actively apply. I have not done much of that, either. I am not sure if it is slow for other translators as well.
I just took the liberty to take a look at your CV/resume at ProZ. It... See more I have not been getting much job requests lately, either. Especially since Covid outbreak, it has been extremely slow in terms of business. I put my CV/resume at a few translation agency websites but did not hear from them. Then again, one of the best ways is to follow the job postings at ProZ, and actively apply. I have not done much of that, either. I am not sure if it is slow for other translators as well.
I just took the liberty to take a look at your CV/resume at ProZ. It is 4 pages long, and that might be too long for anybody. For example, mine is only 1 page. I think most busy people do not spend the time it takes to read a 4-page CV/resume due to their heavy schedules. A shorter CV/resume with a punch could have more impact on clients than a 4-page CV/resume. That is my idea, anyhow. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Stepan Konev
Russian Federation
Local time: 11:03
English to Russian
| 10 customers — lucky you are | May 4, 2022 |
Marcia Nunziato wrote:
I have approx. 10 regular customers... I had one brilliant customer (US) that was more than enough to make living. Now I have none. Most Russian agencies have drastically dropped their rates (even though they never been high) when the crisis broke out. The only thing that saves me now is my little benefit related to health issues. I am gradually diversifying to photography now.
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John Fossey
Canada
Local time: 04:03
Member (2008)
French to English
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| Sources of clients | May 4, 2022 |
In my experience, the 2 best sources of clients have been:
- the Blue Board, for agencies
- translators who are full-time employees of large companies and who translate in the opposite direction in my language pair. I have got several direct clients this way.
It takes constant marketing to build up and maintain an adequate clientele, and results tend to come about 6 months later.
| | | | Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 10:03
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Baran Keki wrote: Marcia Nunziato wrote:
I`ve been working exclusively as a freelance translator since 2019 If you've been working since 2019, then why have you been paying an annual membership fee to this website since 2007?
Sometimes the answer to one's question is in the person's résumé. For example, in this case. (-: There is nothing odd about being a paying member of ProZ.com and a part-time freelancer at the same time. ProZ.com is not only for full-time freelancers.
Marcia Nunziato wrote:
I have approx. 10 regular customers and they usually keep me somewhat busy, but in the last times jobs are becoming rare. ... Do you have any indication of good sites to find translation/review jobs?
I'm afraid I'm so established by now that I almost never do any marketing anymore, but there were times when I felt that I needed more clients, and that is when I sent out résumés to or completed online application forms for translation agencies. For this, you can use the Blue Board, where you can easily see which agencies are worth applying to. You need to apply to hundreds of them -- this is an unfortunate part of starting up as a full-time freelance translator.
| | | | | See what's happening with your clients | May 5, 2022 |
Marcia Nunziato wrote:
I have approx. 10 regular customers and they usually keep me somewhat busy, but in the last times jobs are becoming rare.
[Modifié le 2022-05-04 15:01 GMT]
Marcia, did you ask your clients about their regular workflow? I think it's a good idea to stay in touch with customers when they disappear for a while, without being pushy of course, just to check if there were any issues with your past work or anything. And it's a good way to remind them that you are available for work.
Just my two cents. Hope it helps! =)
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