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Help needed on getting established
Thread poster: Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
Help needed on getting established Nov 22, 2014

MO-TS wrote:

luke mersh wrote:
So far on this site I have specified the days I can work and the rate I charge per word plus the amount per day....

...

not counting the VAT at the moment..... is there anything I should discuss with the client?


I know you want to deal with the VAT issue later, but your potential client will want to know whether the rate you mentioned is inclusive or exclusive of VAT. If you do not indicate this, the client may assume your rate is inclusive of VAT and you may end up with being paid a lower rate that you expected.

[Edited at 2014-11-22 12:45 GMT]


Good point.
I would tell the client that I am not VAT reg.


 
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 08:24
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
VAT goes on the first invoice Nov 22, 2014

You need to sort out the VAT issue before you write the first invoice. If you don't charge the client VAT, then you may have to pay it yourself later. And you can't add VAT to the total without also giving your VAT number - your client won't accept it.

The other problem is that you can't necessarily choose which country you invoice from. You can only normally be self-employed in one country - the one where you're actually resident, even if you aren't physically present at the time.
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You need to sort out the VAT issue before you write the first invoice. If you don't charge the client VAT, then you may have to pay it yourself later. And you can't add VAT to the total without also giving your VAT number - your client won't accept it.

The other problem is that you can't necessarily choose which country you invoice from. You can only normally be self-employed in one country - the one where you're actually resident, even if you aren't physically present at the time. I'm sure it's possible to arrange things differently but it gets more complicated.

Actually, if you aren't resident in Portugal but in the UK, and you have a UK address, then things are simpler as you don't have to be VAT-registered in some cases in the UK. But check with your client that they're happy to accept an invoice without VAT - some won't as they worry about potential problems.
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Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
Help needed on getting established Nov 22, 2014

Thats very helpful info.

I will wait for the work to come and discuss this issue with them when that time comes, as it is a bit complicated at the moment for me to start thinking about VAT, as I am only doing this to gain some experience in translation.

If I did start getting a lot more work, and I saw that it was starting to become more serious than I would decide to sort out the VAT issue.

For the time being its just about gaining experience.


 
Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
Help needed on getting established Nov 27, 2014

going to increase word count to 800 per day, as I think 330 is restrictive and I could be limiting myself.

In my DPSI exam it was 800 and we had to do it in an hour. Which I passed


 
Diana Coada (X)
Diana Coada (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Hm, I think you've got it wrong Nov 29, 2014

luke mersh wrote:

going to increase word count to 800 per day, as I think 330 is restrictive and I could be limiting myself.

In my DPSI exam it was 800 and we had to do it in an hour. Which I passed


The DPSI translation test is no longer than 350-400 words. No exam out there would expect candidates to do 800 words an hour, ever.

http://www.ciol.org.uk/images/Qualifications/DPSI/SamplePaperPolishEnglishLaw.pdf


 
Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
Help needed on getting established Nov 29, 2014

Let me double check...
I may have had that wrong... I thought it was 800.....
just double checked and it was 250, seemed like more to me.

any how I think if I want to get any work sent, I think 800 words per day for a beginner is a more realistic figure.


 
Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
Help needed on getting established Dec 1, 2014

What should I do to get work assignments?

is there anything I should do on this site , that I havent already done?
Would it be beneficial at this stage to get a full membership?? Although I am only a graduate at this stage.

I appreciate all your help.


 
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 08:24
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
Marketing is a lifelong process for a freelancer Dec 1, 2014

luke mersh wrote:
What should I do to get work assignments?

is there anything I should do on this site , that I havent already done?

There's always something, Luke. Basically, you need to view yourself from the point of view of a potential client. Your own profile could be enhanced a lot by:
- explaining why, when you live in Portugal, you should be their ES>EN translator (you've justified the ES part, but not the EN);
- working on your CV, sanding it down to its essential words that should fit onto one page;
- publishing samples of your work;
- making more effort to be flexible (e.g. GBP payments only into a PayPal account when you're eurozone-based is quite restrictive);
- offering more IT skills (e.g. CAT tool(s), PPT, PDF manipulation software, Indesign - whatever you have);
- gathering WWA feedback from clients;
- ensuring consistency between the different elements and the 'about me' text (e.g. specialisations)...

and your chance of landing jobs on ProZ.com would be increased by further involvement in answering KudoZ questions, as KudoZ points are fundamental to the site.
Would it be beneficial at this stage to get a full membership?? Although I am only a graduate at this stage.

If you're hoping to find clients here then yes, it would be highly beneficial. Non-paying users are often (maybe always?) prevented from applying immediately and are frequently too late to be considered. Also, paying members are displayed first in the directory. So it would definitely pay you to invest your first earnings in paid membership. You would also benefit from full access to the Blue Board. However, membership alone will not guarantee jobs.


 
Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
Help needed on getting established Dec 1, 2014

Thanks Sheila.

I will definitely review and improve my profile as you have suggested.
Will try and see how I can improve my CV.

As for IT skills- I am learning Wordfast Anywhere, but I have other IT skills in web design.

As for payment I only have an English back account so accepting other currencies would be no good , I would have thought.

I will treat myself to purchasing full membership after Christmas.

You have been very
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Thanks Sheila.

I will definitely review and improve my profile as you have suggested.
Will try and see how I can improve my CV.

As for IT skills- I am learning Wordfast Anywhere, but I have other IT skills in web design.

As for payment I only have an English back account so accepting other currencies would be no good , I would have thought.

I will treat myself to purchasing full membership after Christmas.

You have been very helpful and I appreciate that very much.
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Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
Help needed on getting established Dec 1, 2014

Sheila Wilson wrote:

luke mersh wrote:
What should I do to get work assignments?

is there anything I should do on this site , that I havent already done?

There's always something, Luke. Basically, you need to view yourself from the point of view of a potential client. Your own profile could be enhanced a lot by:
- explaining why, when you live in Portugal, you should be their ES>EN translator (you've justified the ES part, but not the EN);
- working on your CV, sanding it down to its essential words that should fit onto one page;
- publishing samples of your work;
- making more effort to be flexible (e.g. GBP payments only into a PayPal account when you're eurozone-based is quite restrictive);
- offering more IT skills (e.g. CAT tool(s), PPT, PDF manipulation software, Indesign - whatever you have);
- gathering WWA feedback from clients;
- ensuring consistency between the different elements and the 'about me' text (e.g. specialisations)...

and your chance of landing jobs on ProZ.com would be increased by further involvement in answering KudoZ questions, as KudoZ points are fundamental to the site.
Would it be beneficial at this stage to get a full membership?? Although I am only a graduate at this stage.

If you're hoping to find clients here then yes, it would be highly beneficial. Non-paying users are often (maybe always?) prevented from applying immediately and are frequently too late to be considered. Also, paying members are displayed first in the directory. So it would definitely pay you to invest your first earnings in paid membership. You would also benefit from full access to the Blue Board. However, membership alone will not guarantee jobs.


Just one other thing that I am worried about, at the moment I have decided to accept 800 WPD, but when I become a full paying member do you think that I should accept less, more on the lines of 250-350 WPD, similar to that of what I had to do in my exam.?
Also I have read on other posts here that somebody recommended that amount to another new beginner .


 
Tiffany Hardy
Tiffany Hardy  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 09:24
Spanish to English
word count is a totally personal thing Dec 1, 2014

I don't think anyone here can advise you on a specific word count. You will have to figure this out on your own and you will get a better idea of your limit with more experience. Also, it will depend entirely on the nature of the text. A text in a field you have no familiarity with will be much more taxing than a text that is of a more general nature. Your limit will also depend on if you are willing to work all weekend on it if it is sent to you on a Friday or if you are willing to work into... See more
I don't think anyone here can advise you on a specific word count. You will have to figure this out on your own and you will get a better idea of your limit with more experience. Also, it will depend entirely on the nature of the text. A text in a field you have no familiarity with will be much more taxing than a text that is of a more general nature. Your limit will also depend on if you are willing to work all weekend on it if it is sent to you on a Friday or if you are willing to work into the night.

You don't necessarily have to tell clients what your word limit is. Telling them up front that you will only do max 800 words/day might not secure you a place in their database. Most availability arrangements with clients are on a per project basis anyway. They send the project, you say if you can do it or not. Also, when you get an offer, don't reject something because it is over your arbitrary word count. If the deadline doesn't seem feasible, propose a later delivery date. In general, you will need to carefully examine the nature of the text, its length and complexity and determine if you think you have time to do it.
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Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
Help needed on getting established Dec 1, 2014

Thanks Tiffany.

I may remove the word count in the New year when I take full membership.

I will start practicing different translation sizes and time myself to get a rough idea of how many words I can do in an hour.


 
Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
help needed getting established Dec 2, 2014

Sheila Wilson wrote:

luke mersh wrote:
What should I do to get work assignments?

is there anything I should do on this site , that I havent already done?

There's always something, Luke. Basically, you need to view yourself from the point of view of a potential client. Your own profile could be enhanced a lot by:
- explaining why, when you live in Portugal, you should be their ES>EN translator (you've justified the ES part, but not the EN);
- working on your CV, sanding it down to its essential words that should fit onto one page;
- publishing samples of your work;
- making more effort to be flexible (e.g. GBP payments only into a PayPal account when you're eurozone-based is quite restrictive);
- offering more IT skills (e.g. CAT tool(s), PPT, PDF manipulation software, Indesign - whatever you have);
- gathering WWA feedback from clients;
- ensuring consistency between the different elements and the 'about me' text (e.g. specialisations)...

and your chance of landing jobs on ProZ.com would be increased by further involvement in answering KudoZ questions, as KudoZ points are fundamental to the site.
Would it be beneficial at this stage to get a full membership?? Although I am only a graduate at this stage.

If you're hoping to find clients here then yes, it would be highly beneficial. Non-paying users are often (maybe always?) prevented from applying immediately and are frequently too late to be considered. Also, paying members are displayed first in the directory. So it would definitely pay you to invest your first earnings in paid membership. You would also benefit from full access to the Blue Board. However, membership alone will not guarantee jobs.


As I am seriously considering becoming a fully paid member and taking on projects, I am a little worried...As I am a graduate I do wonder about my capabilities and how clients would view me. I know that we all have to start somewhere, but what advice would you give me for when clients do contact me?

As always your insight and help is most valuable.


 
Luke Mersh
Luke Mersh  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:24
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER
invoicing and payment turnaround Dec 3, 2014

When I receive a project and complete it and then send the client the invoice what would be the normal expect payment terms giving to the client, is this normally 30 days or is it totally down to the translator?

all information is much appreciated.


 
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 08:24
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
Response to last 2 posts Dec 3, 2014

All that any of us can do, luke, is emphasise our best points. For instance, if you've had 20 years of experience translating medical texts but for some reason you want to be considered for a marketing one, the you have to find a way of putting a positive spin on your background. In your case, your current studies, your energy and your motivation should be clear from your approach (although not necessarily in those exact words - rather than talking of "motivation" you can just sound eager and in... See more
All that any of us can do, luke, is emphasise our best points. For instance, if you've had 20 years of experience translating medical texts but for some reason you want to be considered for a marketing one, the you have to find a way of putting a positive spin on your background. In your case, your current studies, your energy and your motivation should be clear from your approach (although not necessarily in those exact words - rather than talking of "motivation" you can just sound eager and interested).

Just remember that your client is hopefully looking for a professional translator, not just someone to do a "quick and dirty" job for the least possible cost. The only way to get on in this profession is to hang onto your self-respect and refuse to work with those who want you to churn out words for a pittance.

A business service provider has a perfect right to set his/her own terms and conditions. In practice, anywhere between payment immediately after delivery and 30 days later is acceptable, with the latter being the "norm" in many areas (e.g. the EU directive). But "30 days month end" (effectively between 30 and 60 days), 45 days and 60 days are also common, as is advance payment. In working with agencies, you will often find they will try to impose their own T&C: up to you to accept, negotiate, or reject.
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