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How to get clients when starting a translation business - suggestions needed
Thread poster: patrick1221
patrick1221
patrick1221
United States
Local time: 12:15
Jul 8, 2009

Hey everyone. My name is Patrick. My mom is a certified interpreter from spanish to english. She has been doing this for more than 10 years. Recently she asked me to help her star a business. The only thing we don't know how to do is get clients. How can we do this?

[Subject edited by staff or moderator 2009-07-09 13:13 GMT]
 
Stanislaw Czech, MCIL CL
Stanislaw Czech, MCIL CL  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:15
Member (2006)
English to Polish
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
Perhaps you could advertise? Jul 9, 2009

I guess creating a decent website and advertising - either in local media or using targeted contextual adds like Adwords directed only to the area where you can reasonably expect to find clients.

Just a few ideas
 
Franco Cappelletti (X)
Franco Cappelletti (X)
Local time: 21:15
English to German
+ ...
So what are your mom's ambitions? Jul 9, 2009

So, your mom (!!) has been in the interpreting business for 10 years and now (!!) seeks to find clients? Who has she worked for so far? Your uncle? The neighbour?

[Edited at 2009-07-09 21:12 GMT]

[Edited at 2009-07-09 21:38 GMT]
 
chica nueva
chica nueva
Local time: 07:15
Chinese to English
Great. Good luck to you both. Jul 10, 2009

patrick1221 wrote:

Hey everyone. My name is Patrick. My mom is a certified interpreter from spanish to english. She has been doing this for more than 10 years. Recently she asked me to help her star a business. The only thing we don't know how to do is get clients. How can we do this?

[Subject edited by staff or moderator 2009-07-09 13:13 GMT]


Hello Patrick

This is great. Why don't you put some more details on your profile (for your mother and yourself) as a form of 'business card'. Some of the peers seem to use their profiles like this. ProZ can give you quite a lot of help with the 'professional presentation' of your profile (eg layout etc) ...

I think your mother possibly has 'clients' and a 'project history' already. I suggest, organise that information onto your profile, and present yourselves as a working partnership. (Look at the profiles of other peers for ideas. Visit the Spanish Forum.) Also, note down any relevant qualifications or professional memberships you both have. I understand that, if your mother has been doing court or hospital interpreting up until now and wants to expand into other types of business clients, then marketing and operating a business might be new to her. And to you too, possibly ... what will your role be in the business. Will you also translate/interpret?

Have a look on the site. (Use Forum Search and search on 'Marketing', perhaps. )Perhaps, check out the Interpreting Forum. Are you aware that the site has been localised into Spanish? ... (there is a languages toggle-switch at the foot of the page).

OK, that's enough for a start. Good luck. Do come back with any more questions. I am sure that there will be peers who will be happy to give advice and share experience.

Lesley
 
Alina - Maria Chiteala
Alina - Maria Chiteala  Identity Verified
Romania
Local time: 22:15
Member (2011)
English to Romanian
+ ...
Mom Jul 10, 2009

I think that she only had collaborations with translations bureaus until now. And I think starting her own bussiness means finding her own clients.
It is just a lucky guess
 
Soledad Azcona
Soledad Azcona  Identity Verified
Brazil
English to Spanish
+ ...
Videos to expand you business at ProZ.com Jul 10, 2009

Hi Patrick,

I recommend some of the videos by the experienced professionals Oleg Rudavin and Johanna Angulo at the new ProZ.com video center: http://www.proz.com/videos

I particularly recommend the videos "Job Search" http://www.proz.com/videos/business%20training/155 and "Cl... See more
Hi Patrick,

I recommend some of the videos by the experienced professionals Oleg Rudavin and Johanna Angulo at the new ProZ.com video center: http://www.proz.com/videos

I particularly recommend the videos "Job Search" http://www.proz.com/videos/business%20training/155 and "Client Hunting" http://www.proz.com/videos/business%20training/106 to help you expand your business.

Let me know if I can help you with anything and thanks for using the site!

Have a nice weekend,

Soledad Azcona
ProZ.com ▲ Collapse
 
chica nueva
chica nueva
Local time: 07:15
Chinese to English
There's also an articles database on ProZ ... Jul 20, 2009

Hello Patrick
Here is one of the articles, on finding direct clients (ie not agencies).
Lesley

http://www.proz.com/translation-articles/articles/465/1/How-to-find-direct-clients?
 
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How to get clients when starting a translation business - suggestions needed







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