by Michael Bastin | 3 Apr, 2018 | Freelancing, Careers, Freelancer tips
Trying to succeed as a freelance translator can be tough. To some, it might appear to be as easy as just changing words from one language to another, but of course, it’s much more complex than that, and it comes with its own set of challenges.
That’s not to say that it isn’t a wonderful job with its perks, such as the freedom to work from home (staying in your pyjamas all day if you so choose!) and manage your time in a way that suits your lifestyle.
It’s also a job with a great deal of responsibility; whether they are translating medical records, business contracts, or marketing material, the pressure to convey the source text’s message accurately is significant.
Balancing this pressure with the additional requirements of running your own business as a freelancer and keeping a healthy work-life balance can be challenging, so we’ve compiled a list of nine tips to help you thrive as a freelance translator.
How to succeed as a freelance translator (pyjamas optional)
Following these nine tips will help you to achieve success in the freelance translation business without letting your personal life suffer. Let’s take a look…
Be ready for the variety this business brings
They say that variety is the spice of life and if you are someone who can roll with the punches, a career in translation will suit you down to the ground.
Even if you specialise in a very niche area, each translation project comes with its own set of challenges and puzzles for you to solve.
Translators often find themselves learning about all manner of topics through the research they do for their translations, add this to relationships with direct clients and there’s never a dull moment.
In those moments when the stress is mounting up, remind yourself of the joys of this eternal learning process for curious minds like yourself.
Prepare yourself for working alone
As a freelancer working remotely, you usually work alone and this can get rather isolating. If you think this may be something you will struggle with, we recommend you put some systems in place to mitigate any feelings of loneliness.
This could be as simple as changing where you work; instead of always working from home, you could spend some time working from a co-working space (which are great places to network) or even a café or library.
Why not reach out to your peers? Building relationships with other translators can give you a strong support system and could even lead to professional opportunities.
on’t forget to build a compelling personal brand that highlights your business name to gain credibility and win your peers’ trusts faster.
Joining a professional association such as ITI (The Institute of Translation & Interpreting) is a great place to start making connections, and they also run many events that can provide much-needed opportunities to socialise with fellow professionals.
Read some more tips about how to deal with loneliness from a fellow freelancer before you embark on your career, and you will find success as a freelance translator in no time.
Be aware of changing markets and upcoming business trends
Make sure you’re always informed of the latest changes in the marketplace. Using new technology to improve your productivity will not only benefit you, but your clients too.
With everything changing so regularly, make it your business to stay sharp and abreast of advancements in the industry.
As well as reading relevant publications and following influential figures online, take part in conferences and industry events to make sure you’re not left behind.
Don’t just focus on translation; keeping up-to-date on industry changes in your specialisation, whether that’s travel and tourism or aeronautical engineering, will give you a professional edge and ensure your translations maintain their quality.
Remember that “freelancer” also means “professional juggler”
It may surprise those starting out in the industry, but translation is only one of many responsibilities of the freelance translator. The list of your job roles will include, but not be limited to, accountant, researcher, project manager, customer service representative, brand ambassador, web designer, and personal barista.
It’s very easy for these tasks to take too much time away from the thing that actually makes you money: translation.
To avoid this, it’s crucial that you organise your day well, dedicating specific times for specific tasks.
Decide how often you’re going to do jobs such as replying to emails, sending out invoices, or updating your social media, and stick to this schedule.
It’s also worth considering what tasks can (and should) be outsourced. If setting up your own website is going to take you two weeks, keeping you from doing any translation in that time, it’s a smart financial decision to hire a professional. As with so many things, balance is key.
Master the skill of self-discipline
As we’ve already mentioned, the freelancer life is hectic and full of varied responsibilities that can be difficult to juggle.
Add to this the fact that you’re working from home surrounded by distractions everywhere you turn, from the TV in the living room to the pile of dishes in the kitchen, and it takes a whole lot of self-discipline to get any work done.
Luckily many people do this every day, and there are lots of resources out there to help you find the best system for you, whether it’s adopting The Pomodoro Technique or installing programmes that block distracting websites, find what works for you and stick to it.
Keep your clients happy
Never forget that without clients, your business doesn’t exist. Mastering the art of keeping your customers happy is vital to professional success, and sometimes that means being flexible and going that extra mile.
For translators this means having clear communication with the client to find out what their requirements are, coming up with a realistic deadline, and sticking to it.
Happy customers lead to repeat business, so don’t be afraid to ask clients for testimonials that can be used to attract new business.
Improve your money management skills
Keeping on top of your finances, from maintaining steady cash flow and doing your taxes to chasing up payments and outsourcing work, is a large part of any freelancer’s life.
When it comes to income, it can be tempting to focus solely on large projects that bring in the big bucks, but remember that small, regular projects can be just as valuable in the long run, filling in the quiet spells between those big jobs.
Consider using accounting software systems to help you stay on top of your finances. Wave or Freshbooks are both good options and once they are set up they will give you more time to focus on other important areas of your business.
Separate your work and personal lives
As a freelancer or small business owner, it’s all too easy for work to take over your life. There will be moments, especially at the beginning of your career, when you will need to work extremely long hours to meet tight deadlines, but the earlier you establish boundaries between your professional and personal lives, the better.
Set aside specific times when you are off the clock and give yourself some distance from the computer. Turn off your email notifications and step away from the office.
Giving yourself proper breaks will make you happier and more productive in the long run.
Prepare to explain what you do
To someone outside of the translation industry, your job may be a real mystery, which can make it hard to convince them of the importance of hiring a professional translation service provider over an unqualified bilingual colleague.
Take some time to come up with a clear, concise explanation of what you offer – an elevator pitch of sorts – and get comfortable defending your worth.
Now with all our worldly advice behind you, it’s time to get motivated, get out there, and get cracking! You are ready to succeed as a freelance translator!
If you are looking for a reliable translation service for any language from German to Portuguese, BeTranslated is here for you.
With a vast network of translators specialised in areas such as website translation and business translation, we have the right linguist for you. For information or a free, no-obligation quote, get in touch today.
by Michael Bastin | 19 Feb, 2018 | Business Tips, Good to Know, Translation services
Many businesses aiming to expand beyond the domestic market concentrate on B2B sales; sales between businesses, rather than between a business and an individual customer (B2C).
If your company plans to pursue B2B deals with companies overseas, the creation and delivery of a high-quality B2B marketing campaign are paramount.
Of course, going global creates the need for B2B translation.
If you plan to branch out into countries where a language other than English is spoken, said marketing campaign will have to be translated by a professional translator, along with a myriad of documents and correspondence.
In this guide, we will share the most important factors to be considered when hiring a reliable translation service for your B2B translation needs.
Define your target market
Having a clear target customer, whether they are an individual or another business, is crucial to producing a successful marketing campaign.
Be clear on who you are communicating with and what tone you wish to portray.
If your translator knows these details they will be able to produce translations that are perfectly tailored to the reader, giving your product or service the best chance of resonating with the potential client.
Establish language combinations for your B2B translation
Once you have established your target market and identified which language or languages your content will need to be translated into, you can begin to work with a translation service that specialises in those languages.
Although some languages are spoken in many countries around the world, the dialects vary greatly from country to country.
Let’s take French as an example; there are huge differences between the French spoken in France, Canada, Belgium, and Haiti, to name just a few French-speaking nations.
If you are expanding into more than one country or region that speaks the same language, the translation agency can give you advice on whether a different B2B translation for each country is needed, or whether their dialects are similar enough for that to be unnecessary.
Find a translator who understands your niche market
The best translation service for you will not only specialise in the right language combinations, but they will also have native translators who are experts in your specific sector.
If your company produces medical equipment, working with a translator specialised in the medical field to translate your instruction manuals, for example, will guarantee clear and accurate translations.
Don’t underestimate the importance of localisation
If you haven’t worked with a translator before, you may see the process of translation as simply replacing words in one language with words in another.
Of course, it’s much more complex than that, and one of the major considerations for the translator is making sure that the target text will be understood in the context of the target culture.
This process of tweaking the text to suit the new audience is called localisation and takes into account issues such as humour, pop culture, religion, and superstition.
Working with a translator who can provide localisation services will ensure clear communication with your clients, free from damaging or costly misunderstandings.
You won’t regret having your website translated
To strengthen your presence in your target market it is essential to have your website and other online content translated into the relevant languages.
Hiring an experienced, native speaker as your website translator will help you to build a relationship with your new clients, which will directly benefit your sales.
A professionally translated website will give a good impression to those local businesses you are interested in working with on a B2B basis.
If your website is not available in their language it not only sends the message that your company is not invested in their market, it also forces them to use automated translation which can lead to serious misunderstandings.
Always follow local regulations
Remember that different countries and regions may have different laws and requirements when it comes to information such as ingredients lists, disclaimers, and instructions, and getting these wrong could lead to serious ramifications.
Do your own research, but also discuss these issues with your translation service so that you are all on the same page.
You’ve worked hard to establish your company in the UK, building a strong relationship with your clients through communication that suits your business, don’t let this standard drop as you take your business global. Translation agencies like BeTranslated, with our skilled, native-language translators are here to help.
Get in touch today for more information or a free, no-obligation quote.
by Michael Bastin | 17 Jan, 2018 | Human translation, Professional Translation, Translation App
When it comes to translation, if you want a job done properly, there’s only one way to do it: professional human translation.
In our globalised world, investing in high-quality translation is one of the best decisions you can make for your business and its international growth.
Contracting a professional translation service, as opposed to using a translation app to do it yourself, is key to building stronger relationships with current overseas clients and branching out to make new ones. And here’s why…
The benefits of contracting a professional translation service
When your company needs to have business documents translated, is searching for a marketing translator, or requires any other type of translation services performed to a professional standard, a translation app just isn’t going to cut it.
In fact, using a translation app has been known to cause many misunderstandings, even when trying to communicate with friends from overseas, let alone in a work environment.
While translation apps and machine translation tools can offer convenience, they tend to struggle with nuance and taking context into account.
The resulting translations can be too literal and risk leaving clients with a negative impression of your company. Experienced human translators, on the other hand, allow you to connect with international clients.
This makes them an extremely valuable resource.
What a professional translation service offers
To illustrate the value of the service provided by professional translation agencies, we will give you an insight into our company, BeTranslated.
BeTranslated is an established translation agency that has managed to maintain many long-term client relationships, whilst steadily gaining new clients.
Our team comprises experienced project managers, themselves qualified translators, and a vast network of experienced translators based around the globe.
The remote nature of our teams allows us to streamline costs and to pass those savings on to our clients.
It also means that if we are working on a large project with a tight deadline, we can use timezones to our advantage and have linguists working around the clock.
Our translators, who are all highly experienced, only translate into their native language.
As well as being experts in certain languages and regional dialects (we have different translators for European and Canadian French, for example) they are also specialised in other fields. Meaning that your IT content will be translated by a linguist specialised in tech.
This system leads to sensitively rendered, accurate translations.
BeTranslated’s specialised services
As BeTranslated is lucky enough to work with a substantial network of translation experts, we specialise in a wide range of subject areas.
These areas include but are not limited to the following:
We translate all types of commercial documents and contracts, marketing material, website content, and social media, plus much more.
The service that you will receive
We provide our clients what translation apps cannot:
- personalised service
- a native speaker, from a worldwide team of specialists
- experts with knowledge for your specific business sector
- precision and accuracy
- competitive rates
- high-quality material
Languages BeTranslated covers
Due to the international nature of our agency, we provide translations in most languages, however European and Asian languages are the most common, and we specialise in the following language combinations:
French <- -> English
Spanish <- -> English
German <- -> English
If you are considering working with BeTranslated on a translation project in any language combination, get in touch to see what we can do for you.
How we save you time and money
We deliver ready-to-use content that has been translated and proofread by a team of professionals.
We always meet deadlines, and you can be sure that there won’t be any app-translated errors such as ‘driving down arteries’ instead of ‘driving along main roads’, or ‘flirtatious farms’ instead of ‘attractive properties’. Your business’s reputation is safe with our professional service. We’ve got you covered.
For more information or a free, no-obligation quote, get in touch today. You won’t be disappointed.
by Michael Bastin | 31 Dec, 2017 | Freelancer tips, Globalization, Lifestyle
Looking for the best country to live in as a location-independent professional, or to work in as a freelance translator?
There’s a big, wide world out there, and more and more people are deciding to transition to working remotely in order to explore it without giving up on their professional careers.
Being free to work from anywhere is a dream many aspire to. But once you have taken the plunge, decided to leave your 9-5, and are free to live and work anywhere, how do you choose which are the best travel destinations to suit your digital nomad lifestyle?
Being spoilt for choice is hardly the worst position to be in, but with so many different paradise locations to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming.
We’ve rounded up some of the most appealing spots to start your new life.
Checklist of requirements for the location-independent professional
Everybody’s dream of the location-independent lifestyle is different. Perhaps you imagine yourself exploring cobbled streets and eating freshly baked croissants in small French villages, or dream of rolling from your desk onto a tropical beach for surf and sun, or maybe you fantasise about exploring Norwegian fjords or the rainforests of South America.
There are, however, some common criteria that many people look for in their travel locations. Let’s take a look at the most popular:
- sunshine; ideally temperatures averaging above 23 degrees year round
- sand, sea, and surf or luscious views and clean country air
- a low cost of living, to be able to cover food, drink, board, and bills for under £1000 per month
- a strong Wi-Fi connection
- a telecommuter community, co-working spaces, or cafés where you will find other location-independent workers
As if you needed any more convincing to take the leap, these are some other factors that remote workers claim are some of the highlights of their job:
- access to watersports and other outdoor activities
- opportunities to learn new skills, like yoga or cooking in stunning locations
- new cultures and delicious food to explore
- mind-opening adventures with friendly locals and like-minded travellers
- the chance to learn (and practise) a new language
Narrowing down your priorities will help you decide on the best location for you, but let us give you a bit more inspiration…
Our selection of the best spots for location-independent workers
We’ve selected eight stunning locations that will inspire anyone to take up the remote-working lifestyle, take a look:
Mexico – Puerto Escondido
If you’re looking for something off the beaten track, Puerto Escondido, which translates as ‘Hidden Port’, lives up to its name as it is largely undiscovered by outsiders.
With a relaxed vibe, this stunning surf spot is well-equipped to support the needs of location-independent workers who crave an active lifestyle and time on the beach.
Columbia – Medellín
Dubbed ‘The City of Eternal Spring’, Medellín boasts a very desirable climate. This vibrant city offers the best of both worlds; due to its popularity among digital nomads it’s equipped with all the facilities you will need, such as co-working spaces, but it also offers opportunities to explore its history, mingle with locals and expats alike, and sample the wonderful local culture.
Thailand – Chiang Mai
With its many islands and tempting beaches, it’s difficult to choose just one area of Thailand to recommend, but there’s no doubt that Chiang Mai is a favourite among location-independent professionals the world over.
With a cheap cost of living, delicious food, and fast internet speeds, you’ll want for nothing during your time there.
The city is also surrounded by mountains and greenery, with easy access to beaches; what more could you ask for?!
Philippines – Cebu
For English speakers, Cebu is a great option as English is one of the official languages. Surrounded by idyllic beaches, offering wonderful trekking opportunities and with great nightlife with the famously friendly locals, Cebu is the gift that keeps on giving.
Malaysia – Penang
Penang is the perfect spot for all the foodies out there. Offering a wide variety of cultural influences from surrounding countries, and a good selection of cafés with free Wi-Fi to work from, as well as well-equipped co-working spaces, Penang has become popular among the digital nomad set, and for good reason.
Indonesia – Bali – Ubud
Ubud’s affordability is certainly one of its main attractions, allowing many remote workers to live in the kind of places they could only dream of in their own country. But this town has so much more to give.
With stunning scenery, fascinating local culture, and delicious dishes to try, it’s no wonder it’s a popular spot for relocation.
Although internet connections are not always strong in public places, fibre optic is pretty common in homes and phone data plans are cheap enough to make tethering a realistic option for when you’re out and about.
Ecuador – Quito
With an idyllic year-round climate and incredible views within the city itself (not surprising considering that it’s the highest capital city in the world and its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!), Quito is certainly worthy of a place on this list.
The city is one of the most affordable capitals in South America and has that all-important reliable internet connection.
The Dominican Republic – Cabarete
Known as the Adventure Sports Capital of the Caribbean, Cabarete is the ideal island if you have a love of surfing, kitesurfing, or scuba diving.
With a variety of yoga classes and cafés to work from, all directly on the beautiful beach – which lights up at night for dinner and music – living and working in Cabarete really feels like a dream come true.
Take that leap, you won’t regret it
We hope that this shortlist had given you some inspiration for your new life. Have you got any hot tips about these destinations, or suggestions for other locations we should check out? Let us know!
Are you looking for a high-quality, reliable translation service to translate your documents? Or perhaps you’re searching for the perfect translator to tackle your business website?
Whatever your linguistic needs, BeTranslated has the right expert for you. For more information or a free, no-obligation quote, get in touch today.
by Michael Bastin | 29 Nov, 2017 | Training, Freelancing, Remote Work
Many of us dream of being able to work as remote freelancers and tailor our jobs to fit our lives. Freelance work, whether it’s translation, photography, or accounting, can provide this kind of lifestyle whilst also offering opportunities to make a substantial income. Finding a way to make a living through remote freelance work takes more time and more creativity than a traditional nine-to-five job, so we’ve come up with some tips to get you started.
Getting started as a remote freelancer
Getting started always takes some perseverance. Finding clients without any previous experience tends to mean offering a really competitive rate. Some of the apps below work on a points and recommendations basis, so feedback from previous clients is vital. You have to prove that you’re the best person for the job and can be relied upon to deliver what’s required within the deadlines set.
Starting off with a low rate to increase your chances of getting jobs is advisable; it allows you to build up a portfolio of previous work with positive feedback, which enables you to command more, as your work level and experience grow and speak for themselves. Then you will attract higher-paying clients. But be careful not to charge too little, as you risk not being seen as a professional. Research your industry to strike a realistic balance.
Submitting a proposal to a potential client
When you submit a bid to a potential client, you want to impress and stand out from the many other candidates bidding for the same job. A strong cover letter that you can adapt to each individual proposal is vital. Try to present yourself in a way that highlights your key attributes and stands out from the crowd. Don’t be afraid to emphasise your previous work experience and explain how your skills are transferable.
Know your worth
Research your competition and know the rates paid for the skills you are offering. Get yourself some strong remote freelancer role models. Follow people in your industry on social media to get inspired and gain helpful tips. These individuals and companies are sure to give you ideas and ways to improve your offer to your clients. Consider reaching out to someone you admire in your industry to see if they would mind if you picked their brain; you’d be surprised how many people are open to the idea of mentoring those just starting out.
The best platforms to use
The following platforms, websites, and apps can help you to get off to a great start in your new remote freelancer career. Most will take a percentage of your earnings as payment for using their platform. This is usually a valid expense as they connect you directly to a large selection of employers and clients covering all different sectors and will save you a lot of time and money in the start-up process. It’s a great starting point to get those all-important recommendations and build up a reputation by gaining some invaluable experience:
- Freelancer.com – offers a variety of work, based on a bidding process.
- Upwork – offers a variety of work, based on a bidding process.
- People per hour – originally UK based, now worldwide.
- Guru – offers a variety of work.
- Fiverr – work related to logo design, translation services, voice-overs, video animation, intros, and caricatures.
- Working nomads – work related to a large range of telecommuting roles.
- Babbletype.com – work related to transcription, proofreading, and translation.
- ratracerebellion.com – has a big listing of WFH jobs.
- ifreelance – lets you keep all your earnings, no commission.
- remoteok.io – works as a search engine for remote jobs.
Once you’ve scored that job
Now that you’ve bagged the job, go at it with all the passion you have. Be aware of the advantage of going the extra mile; putting in more than the client expects (within reason) will always impress, and winning points will keep you at the forefront for future work. This extra attention could be what secures an ongoing working relationship with the employer. Don’t forget to ask happy clients for testimonials you can use to secure further work.
Productivity and time management
Productivity and time management are two further factors that can be hard to master, but that will ensure you’re successful in your new freelancing career. Spend some time, before you get inundated with work, coming up with some sensible tools and strategies that work for you. There are a variety of apps out there that will help you with this, and look out for our future blogs to learn more about them.
When your freelance business is up and running, you may need help translating for your international clients, and BeTranslated is here for you. Our professional translators are experienced in all kinds of translation, from legal documents to marketing campaigns. For more information or a free, no-obligation quote, contact us today.
