Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Any point trying to work freelance in common language pair with no specialism? Thread poster: Jessie LN
| matt robinson Spain Local time: 20:22 Member (2010) Spanish to English Common Language Pair | Dec 3, 2012 |
Spanish to English IS going to be common, as we are dealing with globally widespread L1/L2. That means the market is HUGE, and as such not a reason to be put off. If you are good and peole know you are available, then work will come your way. You have experience already, and that means you can provide references and (with permission ) sample translations. You have more than enough for agancies and direct clients to take you seriously. | | | Jessie LN United Kingdom Local time: 19:22 Spanish to English + ... TOPIC STARTER
Thank you all for your valuable advice. @HelenI had never thought of working with academics. I subscribe to a particular mailing list that might prove very useful for this. Thanks! @Nicole Surely you know it is possible to gain translation experience without working as a full-time freelance translator. Had the field read 'Years of experience as a full-time freelance translator', I would have filled it in with a big fat zero! Lying on my profile would hardl... See more Thank you all for your valuable advice. @HelenI had never thought of working with academics. I subscribe to a particular mailing list that might prove very useful for this. Thanks! @Nicole Surely you know it is possible to gain translation experience without working as a full-time freelance translator. Had the field read 'Years of experience as a full-time freelance translator', I would have filled it in with a big fat zero! Lying on my profile would hardly benefit me, let alone any clients. @neilmac Yeah, I used 'setting up a business' for lack of a better phrase. Whatever comes between a functional 'business' and making a few extra £, then ▲ Collapse | | |
Hello Jessie, My answer to the question you actually posted: No! However, you asked the wrong question. Like Helen, I think that you have a lot to offer a lot of potential clients. There is a market for the translation (and editing of non-native original versions) of academic texts in any given field and from any language into English: You have a post-graduate degree in library science and previous experience to include when contacting potential clients. I ... See more Hello Jessie, My answer to the question you actually posted: No! However, you asked the wrong question. Like Helen, I think that you have a lot to offer a lot of potential clients. There is a market for the translation (and editing of non-native original versions) of academic texts in any given field and from any language into English: You have a post-graduate degree in library science and previous experience to include when contacting potential clients. I don't think that you have much to offer agencies (and vice versa), but if you're willing to go after direct clients and take "setting up your business" (not for lack of a better phrase) seriously - and you also prove to be a good and reliable translator, then you have good chances of success. The professional mailing list is a nice place to start, however, you need to have a clear grasp of the situation: A significant number of clients will never find you. You will have to find out about the market (prices, expectations, etc.) and you will have to contact and secure potential clients yourself. Word of mouth will kick in some time in the future but only after a lot of (for most of us) unpleasant hard business-side work at the beginning. Sincerely, Michael ▲ Collapse | | | Jessie LN United Kingdom Local time: 19:22 Spanish to English + ... TOPIC STARTER
Thank you Michael; that's very encouraging. I was sort of under the impression that it was either agencies or nothing, and that advertising my service directly would be too presumptuous. | |
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Phil Hand China Local time: 02:22 Chinese to English Agree with the above | Dec 4, 2012 |
There is always room for a good translator, but you're right that working in a crowded field makes starting up difficult. I started out accepting Chinese-level translation rates (think of a bad rate and divide by ten...) and worked my way up; but obviously I was living in China and had other work to help pay the rent. So I would say you have to plan carefully, and be prepared for frustration. When work comes, grab it; remember nothing is as attractive to clients as a busy translator... See more There is always room for a good translator, but you're right that working in a crowded field makes starting up difficult. I started out accepting Chinese-level translation rates (think of a bad rate and divide by ten...) and worked my way up; but obviously I was living in China and had other work to help pay the rent. So I would say you have to plan carefully, and be prepared for frustration. When work comes, grab it; remember nothing is as attractive to clients as a busy translator. And when you've got work, make yourself pleasant to work with. If your client - agency or direct customer - thinks at the end of a job, "well, that was easy!" then they'll come back to you. ▲ Collapse | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Any point trying to work freelance in common language pair with no specialism? Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
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