Translation - art & business » Getting established »
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Is it possible to find clients exclusively online?
Thread poster: Alana Morris (X)
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 10:48
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
@Rachel Feb 28, 2022

I had the “luck” of starting to work as a freelancer very late in life after decades of employment but I still found myself ill-prepared to deal with some aspects of the translation business (negotiation and non-payment…).

Rachel Waddington
P.L.F. Persio
 
Rachel Waddington
Rachel Waddington  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:48
Dutch to English
+ ...
Yes Feb 28, 2022

Teresa Borges wrote:

I had the “luck” of starting to work as a freelancer very late in life after decades of employment but I still found myself ill-prepared to deal with some aspects of the translation business (negotiation and non-payment…).


I think we are all a bit unprepared at the start - whatever background we come from, freelancing for the first time is a steep learning curve.

Fortunately, the translation community is a friendly and welcoming one and there is always someone who will be happy to answer questions and point out further sources of information for those who ask.

P.L.F. Persio
Kay Denney
Anna Gorska
 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
Personal contact would be my priority Feb 28, 2022

I think face-to-face meetings and networking via friends/family/teachers/lecturers are the best ways to try to get work. That's where I would begin if I started again today.

I imagine the hit rate at trade fairs etc is still incredibly low, but when we were an agency we always filed unsolicited CVs in the bin. When we needed another freelance translator, we asked around. Had ProZ or LinkedIn existed, we would not have looked there.

So much about getting new clients is ... See more
I think face-to-face meetings and networking via friends/family/teachers/lecturers are the best ways to try to get work. That's where I would begin if I started again today.

I imagine the hit rate at trade fairs etc is still incredibly low, but when we were an agency we always filed unsolicited CVs in the bin. When we needed another freelance translator, we asked around. Had ProZ or LinkedIn existed, we would not have looked there.

So much about getting new clients is luck, but I think you'll have better luck if people can put a face and a voice and a personality to your name.

I too have never met some of my clients in person, but I always find I have a better relationship with those I do meet, even if we don't click personally.

So I would prioritise offline connections even in the digital age. ▲ Collapse
 
Michele Fauble
Michele Fauble  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 02:48
Member (2006)
Norwegian to English
+ ...
Still learning Feb 28, 2022

Alana Morris wrote:

I am currently studying for a master's in translation to become a DE->EN translator.


P.L.F. Persio
 
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Is it possible to find clients exclusively online?







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