Poll: Is loyalty to long-term clients still worth it in today’s market?
থ্রেড পোস্টার: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
সাইট স্টাফ
Apr 2

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Is loyalty to long-term clients still worth it in today’s market?".

View the poll results »



 
Liena V.
Liena V.  Identity Verified
লাটভিয়া
Local time: 22:29
2014 থেকে সদস্য
ফেঞ্চ/ফরাসি থেকে লাটভিয়ান
+ ...
strange question Apr 2

I'd say it is worth more than ever in today's market, but, as always, details matter. Blind loyalty when all circumstances have changed and things have taken an entirely different turn belongs to a cult and does not apply in a professional setting.

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
The Shredder
Philip Lees
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
পর্তুগাল
Local time: 20:29
2007 থেকে সদস্য
‍ইংরেজি থেকে পর্তুগিজ
+ ...
What a question! Apr 2

I’m very loyal and thankful to my long-term customers. I can’t think of any better way to thank them for the loyalty and support they have shown me over the years. I do hope I’ll be able to keep them for some years in today’s strange market. One of them has been with me for over 20 years.

Liena V.
Natasha Jankovic
The Shredder
Oscar Núñez Alfaro
Angie Garbarino
 
Lieven Malaise
Lieven Malaise  Identity Verified
বেলজিয়াম
Local time: 21:29
2020 থেকে সদস্য
ফেঞ্চ/ফরাসি থেকে ডাচ
+ ...
Loyalty Apr 2

What is meant by loyalty? I'm loyal to my customers in a sense that I always go lengths for each of them. But at the same time I apply a strict first come, first served approach. I never privilege certain customers over others, even if there is a big difference in generated turnover.

If we are to talk about loyalty I believe you should rather say that customers become loyal to you if you meet all necessary criteria as a professional translator (quality, rates, availability, reliabil
... See more
What is meant by loyalty? I'm loyal to my customers in a sense that I always go lengths for each of them. But at the same time I apply a strict first come, first served approach. I never privilege certain customers over others, even if there is a big difference in generated turnover.

If we are to talk about loyalty I believe you should rather say that customers become loyal to you if you meet all necessary criteria as a professional translator (quality, rates, availability, reliability...).
Collapse


Luis M. Sosa
Daryo
Jorge Payan
Martin Jonuschat
 
Michael Newton
Michael Newton  Identity Verified
যুক্তরাষ্ট্র
Local time: 15:29
জাপানি থেকে ‍ইংরেজি
+ ...
Loyalty to long-term clients Apr 2

There is no loyalty to long-term clients who become bottom feeders.

Philip Lees
Jorge Payan
Lingua 5B
 
Oscar Núñez Alfaro
Oscar Núñez Alfaro  Identity Verified
কোস্টারিকা
Local time: 13:29
স্প্যানিশ
+ ...
More than ever! Apr 2

Loyalty to long-term clients keep my income stable and make me progress in my professional career. My main job is teaching, so long-term clients require creating a good educational plan for teaching grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening in the target language. That it means that I need a structure, resources and creative ideas to keep the class interesting, enjoyable, funny and effortless, among others.

 
Zea_Mays
Zea_Mays  Identity Verified
ইটালি
Local time: 21:29
‍ইংরেজি থেকে জার্মান
+ ...
the other way round Apr 2

I would rather consider the opposite - clients being loyal. Are they?

writeaway
Cecília Alves
Philip Lees
Michael Newton
Jorge Payan
Maria Laura Curzi
 
Philip Lees
Philip Lees  Identity Verified
গ্রীস
Local time: 22:29
গ্রীক থেকে ‍ইংরেজি
Changes Apr 3

Liena V. wrote:

I'd say it is worth more than ever in today's market, but, as always, details matter. Blind loyalty when all circumstances have changed and things have taken an entirely different turn belongs to a cult and does not apply in a professional setting.

I once had a very good client, a small agency in the UK that over a period of several years used to send me regular jobs, with reasonable deadlines and a good rate. We had a relationship that was both friendly and professional.

Then they were taken over by a big international agency. From that point on everything changed. I received automated mails with jobs beyond the scope of my specialties, and ridiculous deadlines that took no account of the time difference between the US and Europe. At the same time the pay rate dropped. When I got in touch directly with one of my previous contacts at the UK agency (now branch), I was told "Sorry", but there was nothing they could do.

I saw no reason to stay loyal to that client.


Daryo
Liena V.
Michael Newton
Jorge Payan
Luis M. Sosa
 
Liena V.
Liena V.  Identity Verified
লাটভিয়া
Local time: 22:29
2014 থেকে সদস্য
ফেঞ্চ/ফরাসি থেকে লাটভিয়ান
+ ...
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (to be read in the voice of David Bowie) Apr 3

Philip Lees wrote:
I once had a very good client, a small agency in the UK that over a period of several years used to send me regular jobs, with reasonable deadlines and a good rate. We had a relationship that was both friendly and professional.

Then they were taken over by a big international agency. From that point on everything changed. I received automated mails with jobs beyond the scope of my specialties, and ridiculous deadlines that took no account of the time difference between the US and Europe. At the same time the pay rate dropped. When I got in touch directly with one of my previous contacts at the UK agency (now branch), I was told "Sorry", but there was nothing they could do.

I saw no reason to stay loyal to that client.


Technically speaking, it is not even the same agency, so there is no ground for loyalty. In my book you still remain loyal to the old client.
I would never drop a decent client for someone I've never worked with before, but I've had similar situations like the one you describe. If it has been a good and dear client I will first try to save what can be saved by explaining things to them and seeing if any solutions can be found, if not then it's time to let it go and move on. It's still a business, not marriage, I've made no vows to them.


Philip Lees
Jorge Payan
Luis M. Sosa
Lingua 5B
Daryo
 


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Poll: Is loyalty to long-term clients still worth it in today’s market?






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