| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Poll: What is the main factor you take into account when an existing client offers you a project? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 22:56
Spanish to English
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I'm afraid I just don't understand the question. My existing clients send me work, they don't "offer" it. I do the job and send them back the final product. End of.
| | | | Mario Freitas 
Brazil
Local time: 17:56
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Unthought question | Dec 23, 2014 |
Before posting a question, the asker should ask it to him/herself. There are dozens of situations where dozens of aspects are considered and/or prioritized. In any case, however, it is always a set of factors that count.
Though one of the factors may be the "most important", let's say, the rate paid, any other factor will lead to a refusal, even if it's the least important for you. For example, if a client offers $ 0.30 per source word but his deadline means 6000 words per day, or h... See more Before posting a question, the asker should ask it to him/herself. There are dozens of situations where dozens of aspects are considered and/or prioritized. In any case, however, it is always a set of factors that count.
Though one of the factors may be the "most important", let's say, the rate paid, any other factor will lead to a refusal, even if it's the least important for you. For example, if a client offers $ 0.30 per source word but his deadline means 6000 words per day, or his term for payment is of 90 days, you may not take the job.
So, I press the "DEL" key to this question.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | It all depends... Other | Dec 23, 2014 |
Existing client ?
Does that include someone I worked for once, some time ago - like the German agency who sent me a very nice Christmas card this week... and I can't remember when I last worked for them, but I must be on their database.
Clients who turn up once or twice a year because they don't have much in my language pairs, with very different jobs each time? I have to negotiate most of the terms each time, because a little press release is not the same as a commerci... See more Existing client ?
Does that include someone I worked for once, some time ago - like the German agency who sent me a very nice Christmas card this week... and I can't remember when I last worked for them, but I must be on their database.
Clients who turn up once or twice a year because they don't have much in my language pairs, with very different jobs each time? I have to negotiate most of the terms each time, because a little press release is not the same as a commercial lease contract, and nor is my rate per word.
I look at the deadline - Have I time to take on any kind of work at all within their time limit? Is it 150 words or a large job? Is it feasible or negotiable?
If I have time, what is the subject area, and what are they paying?
Do they pay without hassle, or do they have some horrible website that I have to log in and fight with for half an hour before I can download files, deliver my text or submit my invoice?
(One of my favourite clients has a website that WORKS and produces invoices all ready to check and print out for the Danish tax authorities, so it need not be a problem.)
Who are they anyway? One or two of my clients are OK, but they go to the back of the queue for a variety of reasons - I simply like others better. I suppose that is the relationship with the client... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Erzsébet Czopyk
Hungary
Local time: 22:56
Member (2006)
Russian to Hungarian
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER | it's Christmas tomorrow... | Dec 23, 2014 |
Tim Drayton wrote: Leon Ivanihin wrote:
I agree with you all, that is very strange question.
It could make sense, when asking about NEW client instead. In that case we actually make decision depending on sum of listed factors. For existing client I always do my best, if only I am available. An existing client may well approach you with a job that is outside your areas of specialisation (this happened to me yesterday) or with a deadline that you cannot meet, so you have to reject the offer.
Some of the existing client simply not consider it's Christmas tomorrow. Or they do know but do not care I am also a human being. An offer just declined an hour ago
Merry Christmas to you all, with no work and switched up cellphones
Liza
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 16:56
English to Spanish
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| There you have it | Dec 23, 2014 |
Mario Freitas wrote:
Before posting a question, the asker should ask it to him/herself. There are dozens of situations where dozens of aspects are considered and/or prioritized. In any case, however, it is always a set of factors that count.
Though one of the factors may be the "most important", let's say, the rate paid, any other factor will lead to a refusal, even if it's the least important for you. For example, if a client offers $ 0.30 per source word but his deadline means 6000 words per day, or his term for payment is of 90 days, you may not take the job.
So, I press the "DEL" key to this question.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all.
This is one of those poll questions that seem to have been typed by a thousand monkeys on typewriters.
You expressed precisely what I think.
| | | | | Meaning of words | Dec 23, 2014 |
neilmac wrote:
I'm afraid I just don't understand the question. My existing clients send me work, they don't "offer" it. I do the job and send them back the final product. End of.
Your clients don't "send you work", they hire your services.
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 17:56
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Offering is absolutely correct, | Dec 23, 2014 |
Frankie JB wrote: neilmac wrote:
I'm afraid I just don't understand the question. My existing clients send me work, they don't "offer" it. I do the job and send them back the final product. End of. Your clients don't "send you work", they hire your services.
Your clients may send you potential work, but you can refuse it. Thus, it was offered for you to accept it or not, just like someboy offers you a cookie. They will send you the work and hire your services only once you confirm your availability and agree with the deadline, therefore accept the offer.
Although it was a very poor question, this was certainly not one of the critical points.
| | | | Andrea Riffo
Chile
Local time: 16:56
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Can't speak for others, but... | Dec 23, 2014 |
Angie Garbarino wrote:
Wow, I wonder if my colleagues are rich people.
Would you then accept to be paid at 90 or even 120 days?
Surprised and worried for the future of our profession!
[Edited at 2014-12-23 12:35 GMT]
... judging from the answers so far, it seems many are thinking along the same lines.
In my case, that is not even a factor because I do not have clients whose payment terms are more than 30 days, and this poll asks about existing clients.
Because of that, rates aren't a factor either. They know what I charge for my services.
So, really, the only possible answer for me was "deadline" (which encompasses project size and also means it depends on my availability).
Best!
[Edited at 2014-12-23 21:47 GMT]
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| A bit of everything | Feb 17, 2015 |
Hi, there! I tend to balance everything, though money and terms payments are really important. I do not take projects I cannot handle or that are not my specialty.
| | | | | 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 » Poll: What is the main factor you take into account when an existing client offers you a project? | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
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