Specialization Concerns Thread poster: Dimitris Papageorgiou
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Besides doing translations i am also a web developer. I am not a full-fledged developer though.
My concern is how a potential customer might see that. In times where specialization is the key to success and survival i am worried that when a client hears that i am also in the web developing business he will wonder: "How can we trust someone(to do our job) when he is in two different professional fields at the same time".
Someone could say to me to choose e... See more Besides doing translations i am also a web developer. I am not a full-fledged developer though.
My concern is how a potential customer might see that. In times where specialization is the key to success and survival i am worried that when a client hears that i am also in the web developing business he will wonder: "How can we trust someone(to do our job) when he is in two different professional fields at the same time".
Someone could say to me to choose either translations or web developing. It is not so simple for me.
I cannot say something more at the moment since it will be off topic.
What is your opinion? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Nesrin 
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:06
English to Arabic
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| It's how and where you market yourself.. | Nov 1, 2010 |
in my opinion. It's up to you to mention what you want to mention when you introduce yourself to clients. Just because, for example, I like painting doesn't mean I have to mention painting on my CV, or on my Proz profile. You could treat yourself as two separate identities... A web developer wouldn't be interesting in marketing himself on Proz - he would find other websites and databases for that purpose. So you could present your translator persona here on Proz, and your web developer persona o... See more in my opinion. It's up to you to mention what you want to mention when you introduce yourself to clients. Just because, for example, I like painting doesn't mean I have to mention painting on my CV, or on my Proz profile. You could treat yourself as two separate identities... A web developer wouldn't be interesting in marketing himself on Proz - he would find other websites and databases for that purpose. So you could present your translator persona here on Proz, and your web developer persona on another. And none need know what the other is doing! That's how I would handle it at least...
[Edited at 2010-11-01 09:58 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Alex Eames
Local time: 11:06
English to Polish
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| That's one way, but the fields overlap | Nov 1, 2010 |
You could spin it to your advantage by specializing in web-related areas. You could separate the fields completely, but you could also take advantage of the overlap and differentiate yourself by emphasising the additional skills you have.
There's no right or wrong answer to this. Try one approach and if it doesn't yield results after a few months, change it.
Taking Nesrin's point even further (although you don't want to spread yourself too thin) you could even have thre... See more You could spin it to your advantage by specializing in web-related areas. You could separate the fields completely, but you could also take advantage of the overlap and differentiate yourself by emphasising the additional skills you have.
There's no right or wrong answer to this. Try one approach and if it doesn't yield results after a few months, change it.
Taking Nesrin's point even further (although you don't want to spread yourself too thin) you could even have three personas, two separate and one combined to see which yields the most fruit. (That's not a recommendation, but it is possible.)
Alex Eames
http://www.translatortips.com
helping translators do better business ▲ Collapse
| | | | Fabio Descalzi
Uruguay
Local time: 07:06
Member (2004)
German to Spanish
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| Architect and translator = full workload ;) | Nov 1, 2010 |
Dear Dimitris,
Maybe you are feeling like I used to when I was a "new kid on the block" in translation: in the mid of the road to somewhere. I had a degree in Architecture, as a matter of fact I had worked as a linguistic mediator in my profession, and I felt that I had something to give. Two years after engaging in full-time translation (at the beginning I took up whatever translation project I could) I started getting wonderful translation work in my favorite field, because I was ... See more Dear Dimitris,
Maybe you are feeling like I used to when I was a "new kid on the block" in translation: in the mid of the road to somewhere. I had a degree in Architecture, as a matter of fact I had worked as a linguistic mediator in my profession, and I felt that I had something to give. Two years after engaging in full-time translation (at the beginning I took up whatever translation project I could) I started getting wonderful translation work in my favorite field, because I was an Architect. Imagine how I felt! 
You work in web development, which means you have direct knowledge of one of the fastest-growings segments of activity. I can assure you: if you refine your marketing and PR skills, you will have work. You must bear in mind: be a good advertiser of yourself, be a good professional, be a champion of your rates. ▲ Collapse
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Andrea Piu
Italy
Local time: 12:06
English to Italian
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| great combination | Nov 1, 2010 |
I think yours is a great skills combination, as you are probably specialised in IT and this is a proof that outsources matter.
Then, remember that a lot of translators, need to build their own websites for marketing reason. This could be a great opportunity for you, if you just do some networking.
| | | | | If I were a client... | Nov 1, 2010 |
Dimitris Papageorgiou wrote:
Someone could say to me to choose either translations or web developing. It is not so simple for me.
Well, if I were a client and I had a web-related translation job, I would DEFINITELY choose a web developer who is also a translator over someone with a degree in translation, but without *actual* knowledge in web development.
Annamaria
| | | | | Competitive Advantage | Nov 1, 2010 |
Annamaria Amik wrote: Dimitris Papageorgiou wrote:
Someone could say to me to choose either translations or web developing. It is not so simple for me.
Well, if I were a client and I had a web-related translation job, I would DEFINITELY choose a web developer who is also a translator over someone with a degree in translation, but without *actual* knowledge in web development. Annamaria
So, Annamaria, you think that promoting me BOTH as a translator( in IT/software localization, website localization etc.) and a web developer is a good competitive advantage.
Well, that is my basic marketing approach but i just was thinking if it is the correct one.
Now it is more clear to me.
| | | | | How to promote | Nov 1, 2010 |
Dimitris Papageorgiou wrote:
So, Annamaria, you think that promoting me BOTH as a translator( in IT/software localization, website localization etc.) and a web developer is a good competitive advantage.
Well, that is my basic marketing approach but i just was thinking if it is the correct one.
I agree with Nesrin, it depends on how and when you do it.
On Proz or other translation portals, you can promote yourself as an IT translator with a solid knowledge of web development thanks to your specialization/education/whatever.
If you want to market yourself as a web developer, you can advertise your services as a trained/skilled/experienced web developer - and if it matters for your IT client at all, you can add that you also have a very good understanding of English. Feel the difference?
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Simone Linke
Germany
Local time: 12:06
Member (2009)
English to German
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| Focus on translation | Nov 1, 2010 |
Judging from your "About me" section in your profile, I'd say, go for translation and focus less on Web development.
You don't seem to have any formal education in Computer Science / Web Design / etc., so, if I were a client, I'd pick the professional Web designer for my design work instead.
That's not to say that you don't know your stuff. I know a lot of people who are enthusiastic about computers and the Web and who are very skilled without formal training. But there are s... See more Judging from your "About me" section in your profile, I'd say, go for translation and focus less on Web development.
You don't seem to have any formal education in Computer Science / Web Design / etc., so, if I were a client, I'd pick the professional Web designer for my design work instead.
That's not to say that you don't know your stuff. I know a lot of people who are enthusiastic about computers and the Web and who are very skilled without formal training. But there are so many of them out there - how do you want to stand out? There are lots of CompSci students who can already deliver top-notch work for a low price (because they're still students) - how do you want to compete with them?
Also, both translation and Web design/development are time-consuming jobs - how will you be able to please both your target audiences if you constantly have to switch back and forth?
Now, in contrast, you seem to have a nice degree in finance etc. and I'd say that finance is a field where translators with proper education and knowledge of the terminology will be preferred. You have proof of your knowledge and familiarity with the field. Finance is certainly a field with constant demand for translations. And it's one of the fields with (potentially) better rates. Use your background and seize the opportunity you have there.
And you can always mention your Web development skills where relevant. For example, if people need SEO, you probably have something to offer. Or if people need certain types of files to be translated without corrupting any source code, you can immediately tell them that you're familiar with the programming language because of your own background. Or if people need documents translated that are related to Computer Science / Web development, you can mention your skills.
So, long story short: I see much more potential for a career in translation here (but of course, this is only based on your description in your profile). You don't have to give up your Web development skills - use them during times when translation jobs are rare. But for the moment, I'd say, focus your marketing on your strong finance background and establish yourself as a translator. And then see how it goes. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Peter Linton (X)
Local time: 11:06
Swedish to English
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| None of their business | Nov 1, 2010 |
Dimitris Papageorgiou wrote:
i am worried that when a client hears that i am also in the web developing business he will wonder:
The fact that you do other work is irrelevant. It is perfectly legitimate to do a variety of freelance work. No need to worry – or to tell people what else you do.
What is essential is that customers can communicate easily with you by phone or e-mail. So a Blackberry or similar is essential, so that you can look at the text anywhere, and reply quickly.
| | | | | Your positioning | Nov 1, 2010 |
Dimitris Papageorgiou wrote:
So, Annamaria, you think that promoting me BOTH as a translator( in IT/software localization, website localization etc.) and a web developer is a good competitive advantage.
Well, that is my basic marketing approach but i just was thinking if it is the correct one.
Now it is more clear to me.
To polish that up a bit more, for each, you have a profession + expertise in a specific industry.
Thus, when marketing your translation services, you would be positioning yourself (if you wish, of course) as a professional translator with expertise in the web development industry.
Similarly, when marketing your web development services, you can position yourself as a developer able to consider foreign languages/visitors' requirements in developing a website.
In both cases, it is a competitive advantage that you should leverage. Specialization is key to targeting - and landing! - interesting, rewarding and well-paying projects.
Enjoy it!
Patricia
| | | | | Exactly my thought! | Nov 16, 2010 |
Peter Linton wrote: Dimitris Papageorgiou wrote:
i am worried that when a client hears that i am also in the web developing business he will wonder: The fact that you do other work is irrelevant. It is perfectly legitimate to do a variety of freelance work. No need to worry – or to tell people what else you do. What is essential is that customers can communicate easily with you by phone or e-mail. So a Blackberry or similar is essential, so that you can look at the text anywhere, and reply quickly.
Hello Dimitris,
I have a real example: my boyfriend. He is a freelance graphic designer, 3D animator, web developer. Each of these requires a lot of expertise but he is just superb at it (his clients love his works of course)!
So don't just tell your clients how versatile and talented you are, show it with your best works and others' recommendation.
Cheers,
Cynthia
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