| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you think social networks work for translators? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you think social networks work for translators?".
This poll was originally submitted by K. Drakou. View the poll results »
| | | | | My turn to plead confusion | Feb 20, 2013 |
Work in what sense? 
Getting business: Not really - but they can help you stay in touch with clients.
Networking with other translators - Definitely - that's my favourite thing about SNS.
Distracting your from work and reducing overall productivity - DING! DING! DING! we have a winner, folks 
[Edited to add some space betwe... See more Work in what sense?
Getting business: Not really - but they can help you stay in touch with clients.
Networking with other translators - Definitely - that's my favourite thing about SNS.
Distracting your from work and reducing overall productivity - DING! DING! DING! we have a winner, folks
[Edited to add some space between my text and my smileys...]
[Edited at 2013-02-20 08:29 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Harris 
Germany
Local time: 09:15
Member (2006)
German to English
and am not really bothered as I dont have any of these time (wasting) things on any of my computer / laptops and, have and will never need them.
| | | | Mary Worby
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:15
German to English
+ ...
I think the clue is in the word 'social'!
I think business networks such as LinkedIn can be beneficial to business relationships, but social networks serve a different purpose.
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Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 16:15
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| I don't see how they could | Feb 20, 2013 |
I don't belong to any social networks but I am a member of LinkedIn which markets itself as a "network of professionals," which is slightly different.
So, does LinkedIn "work" for me?
I have never been directly approached by a customer saying that they saw my impressive profile on LinkedIn and want to throw buckets of lucrative work my way. I wish it would, though, since I use it as my online CV and profile.
On the other hand, Proz has a database sea... See more I don't belong to any social networks but I am a member of LinkedIn which markets itself as a "network of professionals," which is slightly different.
So, does LinkedIn "work" for me?
I have never been directly approached by a customer saying that they saw my impressive profile on LinkedIn and want to throw buckets of lucrative work my way. I wish it would, though, since I use it as my online CV and profile.
On the other hand, Proz has a database search function to find translators that meet their particular criteria and a function for sending contact details to translators that interest them. This is how I have met a few customers who give me regular work now.
As Mary says, social networks - as their name implies - are for hanging out with the crowd or "socializing" and not for getting work. ▲ Collapse
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They don't. Facebook? It is for sharing things with friends. Linkedin? The aim was to provide people with a new opportunity to find work. How can someone possibly find a translator on linkedin? it would be a nightmare for an agency or for a direct client, the only chance is when someone asks one of his/her connections if he/she knows a translator.... would anybody check the (maybe) 500+ connections of each person you are connected to? Impossible.
So, for translators, Proz is the main tool.... See more They don't. Facebook? It is for sharing things with friends. Linkedin? The aim was to provide people with a new opportunity to find work. How can someone possibly find a translator on linkedin? it would be a nightmare for an agency or for a direct client, the only chance is when someone asks one of his/her connections if he/she knows a translator.... would anybody check the (maybe) 500+ connections of each person you are connected to? Impossible.
So, for translators, Proz is the main tool.
For other activities Facebook can work.
In my experience the only good thing (work-wise) is that you can be connected to other translators, and in case you need help you can (hopefully) count on them. ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 09:15
Spanish to English
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I tend to agree with Gianluca. I was on Linkedin for a while but it seemed an awful waste of time and rather intrusive. As for Facebook and similar, I don't really see how they can be useful in my situation, since I'm not really seeking to improve my profile or connect with new people.
I do use Skype chat occasionally to collaborate with translator colleagues but not usually agencies, so I suppose you could count that as useful. And proz (mainly kudoz) works for me when I need to brainsto... See more I tend to agree with Gianluca. I was on Linkedin for a while but it seemed an awful waste of time and rather intrusive. As for Facebook and similar, I don't really see how they can be useful in my situation, since I'm not really seeking to improve my profile or connect with new people.
I do use Skype chat occasionally to collaborate with translator colleagues but not usually agencies, so I suppose you could count that as useful. And proz (mainly kudoz) works for me when I need to brainstorm or ask for help on kudoz... ▲ Collapse
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For information exchange, yes, but I never got any job through them.
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Nicola Wood
Austria
Local time: 09:15
Member (2010)
German to English
| With the majority | Feb 20, 2013 |
Social networks are for social interaction. I use Facebook to keep regular contact with friends and family back in England, and I definitely wouldn't want all my customers on there! Fellow trasnlators are, of course, a different matter
| | | | Marc Cordes
Poland
Local time: 09:15
English to German
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| Like with all marketing... | Feb 20, 2013 |
Social networks won't do squat for the translator unless you invest time and resources (yes, I mean money) to actively promote your services as in any other marketing activity.
For the common freelance translator it simply makes no sense to go down the facebook or whatever other social network-avenue since users on these platforms tend to be there for socializing on a social level and nothing more. I would not even think about wasting my money on PPC ads on facebook or... See more Social networks won't do squat for the translator unless you invest time and resources (yes, I mean money) to actively promote your services as in any other marketing activity.
For the common freelance translator it simply makes no sense to go down the facebook or whatever other social network-avenue since users on these platforms tend to be there for socializing on a social level and nothing more. I would not even think about wasting my money on PPC ads on facebook or the like as the "targeting" of my ads would be highly doubtful even though every advertising offer will tell you differently.
If you are in business long enough you will learn (or already have) that the only effective way to build a qualitative customer pool is word of mouth and this takes time and patience which many entrepreneurs simply don't have or lack severely nowadays.
Now, I don't say this to step on anyone's toes but I think we all agree that trust is the number one commodity we are exchanging in any kind of business. Trust is built on both sides and comes with experiencing one another in the daily business activities which takes time. Of course one might not have the resources to build an image and wait out for customers to acknowledge it by contacting you ...but to be brutally honest:
That is a mistake which was already made at the drawing board when that individual set up his or her entrepreneurship.
IMHO for the beginner (and the seasoned business professional who wants to be more successful) it comes down to this:
- Give yourself at least 3 diligent months for making contact with potential customers proactively and NOT reactively (social network advertising is not proactive but reactive). That means: Contact them and ask. You already got that "No" so why not asking for a "Yes" by simply making contact?
- Work thoroughly and diligently to build an image on your platforms of choice and your new customers will come in bit by bit without you moving a finger.
- Respect your business like you are (hopefully) respecting yourself and deliver quality not quantity and be HONEST.
- Communication is key so work on improving those soft skills. Frequent contact and the art of making your customers feel served is very important.
- and the most important thing:
Create trust by being trustworthy. A customer that trusts you is a million times more likely to contact you for your services again and also to refer you to others.
In every business you are selling yourself as an image to evoke a certain emotion in your customers first. Everything that follows is a consequence of the above. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Diana Coada (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:15
Portuguese to English
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Julian Holmes wrote:
So, does LinkedIn "work" for me?
I have never been directly approached by a customer saying that they saw my impressive profile on LinkedIn and want to throw buckets of lucrative work my way. I wish it would, though, since I use it as my online CV and profile.
On the other hand, Proz has a database search function to find translators that meet their particular criteria and a function for sending contact details to translators that interest them. This is how I have met a few customers who give me regular work now.
When I get contacted they all say ''I saw your website and...'' Why? Because they get there through my LinkedIn and ProZ profiles which appear higher in the Google search results than my website. So yes, LinkedIn is working for me.
Twitter for professionals on the other had is just like Facebook for friends.
| | | | | One job as far as I know from LinkedIn... | Feb 20, 2013 |
One client recently sent me a job - a very nice client, I would add, saying I had been recommended by one of his LinkedIn links.
Others have possibly come that way without mentioning it.
But I met the person who recommended me even before I started out on Proz.com, and we have met at powwows and worked together...
So a lot of the credit goes to this site!
As for the others - well, I do have to work sometimes.  ... See more One client recently sent me a job - a very nice client, I would add, saying I had been recommended by one of his LinkedIn links.
Others have possibly come that way without mentioning it.
But I met the person who recommended me even before I started out on Proz.com, and we have met at powwows and worked together...
So a lot of the credit goes to this site!
As for the others - well, I do have to work sometimes. 
At one time FB mailed me several times a week asking if I knew various ghosts from the past, or from my husband's past, or remote connections of ... until I found out how to opt out of the mails.
Thanks, but no thanks!
I know some colleagues really use the social media, and with a well-thought-out strategy, they are said to work.
If I had the time... I should probably get away from the computer!
[Edited at 2013-02-20 10:38 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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| Works for me | Feb 20, 2013 |
In the last 2 years:
Several direct customers through LinkedIn/Xing with a high 5 digit turnover.
Several projects/jobs through Facebook with a low 5 digit turnover.
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 03:15
English to Spanish
+ ...
| An honest answer | Feb 20, 2013 |
Michael Harris wrote:
and am not really bothered as I dont have any of these time (wasting) things on any of my computer / laptops and, have and will never need them.
The poll's question assumes such a sweeping statement that it's very difficult to pinpoint what's the meaning of it. Just like trying to grasp a very hot cup with your teeth.
However, one sweeping turn does not deserve another. A man's garbage is another man's treasure. As we say here: don't knock it till you try it. Or at least, let's not assume something is useless or worthless just because we don't like it.
| | | | Marie Jackson
Netherlands
Local time: 09:15
German to English
+ ...
I'm very surprised by the negative response to this question, as virtually all of my clients have come to me through social networks such as LinkedIn. I'm contacted around once a month by a new potential client and whilst I can't always help them, myself, I always forward them onto colleagues who can.
I really think that social networking is what you make of it. If you put the hours in initially, you will certainly reap the benefits later on down the line. On the other hand, if you... See more I'm very surprised by the negative response to this question, as virtually all of my clients have come to me through social networks such as LinkedIn. I'm contacted around once a month by a new potential client and whilst I can't always help them, myself, I always forward them onto colleagues who can.
I really think that social networking is what you make of it. If you put the hours in initially, you will certainly reap the benefits later on down the line. On the other hand, if you're very passive in your use of social media, you are likely to miss opportunities to meet clients.
All in all, it comes down to what you want to get out of social media, yourself. If you prefer to use it to keep up with the industry and network with your peers, a more passive approach will suit you nicely. On the other hand, if you want to use social media to actively market your business, you will need to invest more time and effort into maintaining your social media presence. As to social media being a distraction, distractions are not always a bad thing; it's good to take a break from time to time throughout the day, and all I need is 10 mins on Twitter or FB to feel refreshed whilst also nurturing my business. It's all about self discipline, of course!
I know I'm not the only one who has found social media a valuable tool in expanding my business; just take a look at Valeria of Rainy London Translations and Marta from WantWords. These ladies really work their social media and their businesses are flourishing as a result.
I guess all I'm saying is don't knock it until you've tried it! Social media can be a powerful tool when used 'properly'.
[Edited at 2013-02-20 14:39 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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