Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?".
View the poll results »
| | | |
If only I understood the answers to this question... According to the Cambridge Dictionary "Effort is the physical or mental energy you use to reach a goal or finish a task".
| | | | Lieven Malaise 
België
Local time: 03:44
Member (2020)
uit Frans in Nederlands
+ ...
I provide two kinds of effort that don't bring in direct income:
- goodwill effort towards established customers: some extra words here and there, a quick proofreading of a translation converted to PDF.
- free translation tests.
But this is all very limited. My customers rarely ask me to do something for free and the last translation test I took must have been at least 2 years ago. I consider it very important to be paid for my work. Decent customers would never try to e... See more I provide two kinds of effort that don't bring in direct income:
- goodwill effort towards established customers: some extra words here and there, a quick proofreading of a translation converted to PDF.
- free translation tests.
But this is all very limited. My customers rarely ask me to do something for free and the last translation test I took must have been at least 2 years ago. I consider it very important to be paid for my work. Decent customers would never try to exploit you, by the way, so you know what to do with those who do try. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | It really depends what kind of effort! | Sep 11 |
Trying to persuade a client's portal to LET ME IN!!!! and submit an invoice - when it takes more than one easy attempt - is a total waste of time. I simply never work for that client again, even after I have found out how to break in (which sooner or later I do).
Answering polls and contributing to this site ... I used to regard it as an investment or something like that, but I am not sure any more.
Answering one-line questions and going the extra mile for the good clie... See more
| | |
|
|
|
| Every effort has a return | Sep 11 |
For me, it’s obvious that there are some services that don’t generate direct income (money). However, the return on an effort doesn’t necessarily have to be financial. It can also come in the form of personal growth, experience, knowledge, satisfaction, or even future opportunities. So, in my view, an effort is never truly without a return, even when it doesn’t bring in direct income. We can still talk about the direct value of an effort, even when that value isn’t monetary.
| | | |
I must say that your answers helped me understand the question and some of the answers. I fully agree with all of you...
| | | | Sofia Bengoa
Spanje
Local time: 03:44
Member (2005)
uit Engels in Spaans
+ ...
| Effort for no direct income | Sep 11 |
To me, it depends on the effort and how attractive the offer is.
All options in the poll are true. A quick, cold reflection on effort-money-investment of time-preference for the subject matter gives you the answer.
Having this in mind, may be the first time does not set you off but there may be chances that they call you again or that you gain some advantages in doing it, like the a different software or experience on that sector.
| | | | Gregor Trebec
Slowenië
Local time: 03:44
uit Engels in Sloweens
+ ...
If a client would pay me 0,05 (or less) and wants me to do a free test, I would strongly consider to quit.
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income? | Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
| | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
