Posts Tagged ‘translation buyers’

As freelance translators, it is at times difficult to start your own business and increase your work flow and client contacts. Here are some helpful tips to help get your business up and running.

First, it is important to have a clear idea of the services you offer, your target market, and area of expertise. For example, if you only translate from English/Spanish, concentrate on finding potential translation buyers who also share the same target markets within your field. Later on, you can find other freelance translators to work with you on projects outside of your languages and expertise.

If you want to include services outside the translation process itself, such as Desktop Publishing or Transcription services, think about partnering up with other specialized providers to complement the services you lack.

Next, get your name out on the market. Consider developing your own website and publishing material about your services, whether in brochures, business cards, etc. There are also many freelance translator databases where translators can network and post jobs such as Translators Café, or Go Translator. Joining these communities will help you see what those around you are doing as well.

Recruiting clients directly can be difficult, especially since you will be competing with larger translation agencies. However, being consistent with the rates you offer, turnaround times and quality will all help to build a long-lasting relationship with a client and will encourage your clients to recommend your services as well.

If you haven’t already done so, consider investing in workshops or seminars within your area of translation to make sure you stay current in your field. Some other common workshops that are helpful for freelance translators are in the areas of CAT tools and office management skills.

Good luck!

How many times have we heard one of our clients say that? Though this simple phrase may be the first step towards a profitable and lasting working relationship, as professionals, we need to gather much more information from the client in order to properly do our jobs and ultimately provide the client with the highest quality product.

So, let’s go over some of the key questions:

1. Does the translation require certification?

If the translation requires certification, this will be itemized as a separate service with an additional charge, since a translator who is duly certified will translate and certify the document with the corresponding expenses.

2. Is the document a rush translation?

In order to provide quality translations, a minimum amount of time is required, considering the hustle and bustle of the business world today. However, many times the client may need the translation outside of working hours or over the weekend, which also may be added as an extra expense to the bill.

3. Does the file have any special formatting issues?

When the original document is sent in a special format (other than Word or Excel), or is a Website, the translation may require Desktop Publishing (DTP) or IT services to maintain the original format. Even when the original document is in Word or Excel, Desktop Publishing may still be required in order to preserve the image formats, business logos, numbering, bullets, etc.

4. Does the client have a glossary with their language preferences based on previous translations?

When a client frequently requires translations for recurrent subjects, they may have a glossary prepared for their language preferences, such as the translation of their logo, key words for business policies, etc. This glossary will be extremely useful so that all translations from the company maintain the same linguistic style.

5. Should the translation take into account any special cultural considerations?

Some clients may have translation preferences regarding the measurement system for a specific country, regardless of the target language for the translation. For example, a client may require a translation from English to Spanish but would like for the translated text to have the measurement system of the country where the document originated.

6. Is the language into which the document will be translated considered a “rare” language?

When a language is not spoken by a significant population, there are fewer translators available, which may be reflected in the delivery time and costs.

7. Does the document have reference material?

It is always helpful for the translators to have reference material while they work, or even previous translations in order to have a better idea of the company, its products and the business image that this company projects.

When it comes time to translate a document, finding the right service provider can be tricky. So how do you find the right translation agency to fit your needs? We have compiled a list of points to consider when preparing your document for translation, aimed at helping you to better understand the service you require. So here it is….Quick Guide for the Translation Buyer Part 1:

1. What kind of document do you need to translate? Is it legal? Scientific? Financial?

Some translators or translation agencies only work with specific content, and legal documents, for example, many times need to be translated by a certified translator, which may narrow down your search.

2. Which language(s) does your document need to be translated into?

There are many agencies that only work with a handful of languages or a particular flavor of a language. For example, if your document needs to be translated into English for use in the United States, you may want to consider finding a translator/agency that is specialized in that particular flavor of English.

3. Where will your document be used and who is the target audience?

It is important to think about your target audience so as to help the translator convey the proper tone and writing style for the document. A document to be used in court has a different style than a document used on the internet for marketing purposes, so communicating these needs is essential for facilitating the translation process and ensuring the highest quality of your document.

4. Does your document require any special services such as formatting or certification?

Evaluating this aspect will greatly narrow down your options, as many agencies and translators do not provide these services. Larger agencies are equipped to handle an array of formats and have a team of desktop publishers on staff who are prepared to work with complex document formats. Many agencies also have the resources available to certify your document. A simple internet search of agencies will help you find a one-stop solution for your translation needs.

Stay tuned in for more helpful tips for the translation buyer. In the meantime, if you are interested in finding out more about the translation services offered by Trusted Translations, click on the following link: http://www.trustedtranslations.com/services.asp