| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Getting established as a freelance and find clients ready to pay decent rates Thread poster: Inge Schumacher
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Inge Schumacher wrote:
I visit all kinds of websites, register, take tests ... and then sometimes even start to work. It's ALWAYS good to acquire a maximum of experience, one day it will pay out.
This might sound obvious, but make sure you focus on well-established agencies in Germany and the big global agencies, so that once you get your chance to shine, you can expect regular work.
(Assuming you do shine. If your tests are unsuccessful, you might want to get someone to look at why.)
Some people seem to live off a constant stream of one-off or occasional jobs from random agencies all around the world, but that seems crazy to me. It's so much easier and better to work for the same few clients all the time.
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It takes a long time, and it depends on what you consider to be a decent rate. Most of the time, translators here will not mention their real rates, which I think is part of the problem. 20 years ago I was working for something like 0.04 EUR per word, now it's 0.08 EUR from my main agency client. Direct clients pay around 0.12 EUR. When I worked as a project manager in a middle-sized agency, the standard rate given to translators was 0.05 GBP, and sorry to say, I don't think this will have chang... See more It takes a long time, and it depends on what you consider to be a decent rate. Most of the time, translators here will not mention their real rates, which I think is part of the problem. 20 years ago I was working for something like 0.04 EUR per word, now it's 0.08 EUR from my main agency client. Direct clients pay around 0.12 EUR. When I worked as a project manager in a middle-sized agency, the standard rate given to translators was 0.05 GBP, and sorry to say, I don't think this will have changed.
I imagine the only ones to respond to the above rates will be the ones who get paid much more. However, I believe that most translators working in my pairs get roughly the same rates from agencies.
On the other side, I have seen some translators boast about getting 0.30-0.40 EUR for their translations, usually legal translators. I ask myself if there is much difference between what I and what they provide...
I dislike the lack of transparency over rates, but this will continue until people actually state what they work for.
In any case, I wish us all good luck with finding some new fabulous clients this year
[Edited at 2024-01-09 11:43 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:02
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Christopher Schröder wrote:
.... if you are any good at actually translating, you only need to strike lucky a few times.
Yes because if you do a good job, those clients will come back to you with more work.
| | | | Inge Schumacher 
France
Local time: 01:02
Member (2023)
French to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Getting established/decent rates | Jan 9 |
Irina wrote:
"1. You claim 31 years of mainly technical experience but do not advertise any specific technical fields except for Computers (general) and Manufacturing, which is a very vague and generic description."
You're right, Irina, I have to take a new and different look at my profile. I just thought that a too specific experience (like pyrotechnics, customs regulations, e.g.) might be uninteresting for most clients.
"2. You do not participate in Kudoz... See more Irina wrote:
"1. You claim 31 years of mainly technical experience but do not advertise any specific technical fields except for Computers (general) and Manufacturing, which is a very vague and generic description."
You're right, Irina, I have to take a new and different look at my profile. I just thought that a too specific experience (like pyrotechnics, customs regulations, e.g.) might be uninteresting for most clients.
"2. You do not participate in Kudoz at all, whereas Kudoz points are supposed to be one of the main attractions for the outsourcers. At least, this seems to be a common perception by both members/users and Proz founders."
As one other Proz. member said: Proz. com has existed for more than 20 years or so, and so it's very difficult (and time-consuming or even impossible) to catch up with the "doyens" who managed over all these years to build up high scores of Kudoz points.
"3. You advertise all sorts of MT/AI translation "helpers". This is pure honey for the flies aka lowest-paying clients who love to manipulate potential vendors by promising huge volumes to compensate for a joke of a rate."
That is very true and a very precious hint! I'll take all these out! Even though I can obviously use these tools, this is certainly not my main target.
"The drying pool of serious, well-paying clients still does not appreciate it; some even prohibit any kind of machine translation. Maybe you should keep it to yourself and/or discuss with each client separately, depending on their requirements. Let them mention it first."
I have such clients as well, but not enough .
Anyway, thank you very much. ▲ Collapse
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Inge Schumacher
France
Local time: 01:02
Member (2023)
French to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Getting established | Jan 9 |
Christopher Schröder wrote:
"This might sound obvious, but make sure you focus on well-established agencies in Germany and the big global agencies, so that once you get your chance to shine, you can expect regular work."
Why German agencies?? I live in France and have always loved that country. My French is excellent – I sometimes have the impression it's even better than my German! – and I live, read, write, speak, watch films, eat, drink, think, dream etc. in Fre... See more Christopher Schröder wrote:
"This might sound obvious, but make sure you focus on well-established agencies in Germany and the big global agencies, so that once you get your chance to shine, you can expect regular work."
Why German agencies?? I live in France and have always loved that country. My French is excellent – I sometimes have the impression it's even better than my German! – and I live, read, write, speak, watch films, eat, drink, think, dream etc. in French! Germany is a kind of souvenir for me, I don't like that country, I'm afraid. And there are even more translation agencies as in France!
And, what about the big global ones? I have worked for some, but the problem is that you have to be on your toes all the time! Well paying global agencies have to many linguists that I can be almost impossible to get a job (this is the case for G**** Ads e.g.). Only for German, there are around hundred linguists constantly being on the platform, trying to grab the incoming jobs before someone else takes them!
My tests: I always have at least 91-92%, even though I tend to rush through tests.
"Some people seem to live off a constant stream of one-off or occasional jobs from random agencies all around the world, but that seems crazy to me. It's so much easier and better to work for the same few clients all the time."
I think you're right. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Inge Schumacher
France
Local time: 01:02
Member (2023)
French to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Getting established/decent rates | Jan 9 |
[quote]patransword wrote:
"It takes a long time, and it depends on what you consider to be a decent rate. Most of the time, translators here will not mention their real rates, which I think is part of the problem. 20 years ago I was working for something like 0.04 EUR per word, now it's 0.08 EUR from my main agency client. Direct clients pay around 0.12 EUR. When I worked as a project manager in a middle-sized agency, the standard rate given to translators was 0.05 GBP, and sorry to say, I don't think this will have changed."
0,08 EUR is okay, I would say. When working in Europe, you must earn at least 25 EUR/hour, otherwise it's just not worth it (take off your 20-25% for social contributions to start off with). 0,05 EUR/GBP can be acceptable if: the source is impeccable, the MT engines adequate (language pair, fields, etc.) and lots more. If this is not the case (this got trapped with this when I accepted my last project (technical manual in defence field FR>DE), it was just a disaster! I worked for hundreds of hours for next to nothing, and I still haven't been paid!)
"On the other side, I have seen some translators boast about getting 0.30-0.40 EUR for their translations, usually legal translators. I ask myself if there is much difference between what I and what they provide..."
Well, when it comes to legal stuff: "Law" is a moneymaker. I'm sure most lawyers work in this field because this is where the money is! Today, if you want to earn a lot of money, don't become a scientist, don't become a doctor or an engineer, become a Lawyer!
"I dislike the lack of transparency over rates, but this will continue until people actually state what they work for."
I don't really see why this should make a difference?!
I wish YOU all good luck with finding some new fabulous clients this year
Kind regards,
Inge
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Inge Schumacher wrote:
Why German agencies?? I live in France and have always loved that country. My French is excellent – I sometimes have the impression it's even better than my German! – and I live, read, write, speak, watch films, eat, drink, think, dream etc. in French! Germany is a kind of souvenir for me, I don't like that country, I'm afraid. And there are even more translation agencies as in France!
Sorry, I got confused by your two separate threads. How can French agencies expect you to have gone to an elite French university when you translate into German?
| | | | Quentin NEVEN
Belgium
Local time: 01:02
Member (Jan 2024)
English to French
+ ...
Hello Inge,
I find this question very interesting because I am starting as a freelance translator myself!
Now, take what I am about to write with a grain of salt. I started on January 1st. You have significantly more experience than I do.
I think to make it in this industry, and most other industries, you need:
- to provide quality content to your customers;
- to market yourself properly.
Judging by your experience, I will assum... See more Hello Inge,
I find this question very interesting because I am starting as a freelance translator myself!
Now, take what I am about to write with a grain of salt. I started on January 1st. You have significantly more experience than I do.
I think to make it in this industry, and most other industries, you need:
- to provide quality content to your customers;
- to market yourself properly.
Judging by your experience, I will assume you provide excellent-quality content to your customers, so you are already halfway there!
I will focus on the marketing aspect because I believe it is crucial, but also tends to be disregarded.
In today's day and age, you need to work on your visibility! Forums such as this one help you reach out to people within community, but it not enough. You need to acquire some visibility as a language expert, which you are!
I love writing, so I am working on a blog where I could publish my own articles. This is something you can link to your profile and help the client see you in a more personal way. However, I need to point out that writing about your own experiences and opinions can be a double-edged sword. I would refrain from discussing your political and religious opinions, for instance, because it could alienate some clients.
Youtube can also be a phenomenal tool. Some Youtubers specialise in the translation industry, allowing them to acquire some visibility in this field and allowing people to put a face to the name. I found videos from Freelanceverse to be helpful. Moreover, I know feel like I "know the guy", and so do his potential customers.
Social media can help too, I guess, particularly Linkedin. The way you present yourself and the type of content you produce will establish your brand. You need to think about it in terms or marketing. I am not really sure about Instagram, Facebook, etc.
I would suggest you look into marketing, particularly web marketing.
If used properly, Google can be an incredible tool to be known and recognised as a professional. For instance, learning proper SEO could be a very good investment in the long-term if you decide to publish web content !
Finally, you could ask for some reviews. I translated two short movies for a friend not long ago. I did it for free, but I got something very valuable in return: a great personal review. I believe it will really help me in the future, because potential customers need reassurance.
Hope this helps ▲ Collapse
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