German Subtitling Services
With a deep understanding of the subtitling industry, our experienced translators deliver precise and contextually appropriate translations for your projects.
How Much Does It Cost to Translate a Document?
As a successful UK company, you will naturally be looking to expand and make inroads in other markets, maybe ones that do not speak English.
Translation is, therefore, the next logical step, but the big question is, how much does it cost to translate a document?
There is no single answer to this as it will vary according to the industry, of course, but the good news is that are always high-quality translation services to meet your business’s budget.
Here are the things to consider.
Factors in the cost to translate a document
Factors affecting the cost to translate a document include:
- translation purpose
- language combinations
- word count
- turnaround time
- technical level
- file format
- frequency
Let’s examine each factor, so you know the translation services you need and where to build it into your budget.
Translation purpose
The questions you should ask yourself are: who is my audience? Is it internal or external? What level of understanding is needed?
The audience for your translation will affect the level of quality required and, consequently, the price.
Documents for public consumption should be very high quality, and the higher cost will include additional editing.
Internal documents, where understanding is more important than sounding perfectly natural, can be more cost-effective as they require less rigorous checking.
Post-edited Machine Translation is another option for keeping costs low.
Here, a human translator revises and edits machine translations for texts that are accurate and at a lower price.
Some language combinations are more suited to this than others, but it works very well for Western European languages.
Language combination
You will probably be wondering by now what the cost to translate a document into several languages at once is.
This also can vary, as some language combinations are cheaper than others. For instance, translation into Finnish costs more than into Spanish as, typically, there are more translators working into Spanish.
The price also reflects the expertise that the professional native-language translators in our network offer.
How much do translators charge per word?
Translation services are generally priced based on the number of words in the source text.
There can be discounts for repetitions within a text or matches from a previous translation.
BeTranslated can give a breakdown with your quote on request. You can also expect volume discounts for large projects.
If you are on a tighter budget, a better investment is to batch-translate to minimise costs over time.
How long does a translation take?
For quick translations, you can expect to pay more. But bear in mind that while quick translations can be convenient, quality and consistency could be affected.
A fast turnaround is more logistically demanding, so it pays to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for a translation that meets your exacting standards.
Our project managers can guide you through the standard translation process and the kind of time frame we work with.
We can customise the turnaround time in some situations, so please get in touch for more details. In addition, our network of freelance translators is worldwide, meaning one of our BeTranslated translators can meet your deadline, whatever the time zone.
Technical level
The more technical a document, for example, legal or medical texts, the higher the price point.
Here at BeTranslated, we understand that technical translations can be quite specific to the situation, so we work with our linguists to find the right terminology and involve experts from your company in the final word choice.
You can also provide a glossary to ensure consistency across texts.
What file formats can be translated?
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CAT tools: Work with Word or Excel files; other file types must be converted, adding extra time and cost.
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DTP tools: InDesign and Illustrator require layout editing after language changes, which BeTranslated offers at an additional cost.
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ICR (in-context review): Available for translated website content, billed by the hour
How often do you need translations?
If you have frequent needs, BeTranslated can offer you some discounts and assistance with creating a translation memory (TM).
This is a tool that can help for regular projects as it is a database of your previous translations, so you can use the same vocabulary to ensure consistency and reduce costs.
It is particularly useful for content like product catalogues.
BeTranslated will create and host your translation memory for you and use it in every new translation.
Your perfect translation
Now that you have a better idea of the costs involved in translations, you can decide what is the right option for your business and your budget.
At BeTranslated, we can help you streamline costs so your translated content is perfectly suited for its purpose and audience.
For your leap into the international marketplace, we are there to guide you through the process.
For more information or a free, no-obligation quote, contact us today at +442030269848 or email us at global@betranslated.com
The Benefits of Employing Multilingual People
Employing multilingual people or staff with a knowledge of foreign languages is essential for companies that are working at an international level.
Having a good knowledge of English, for example, is a significant advantage in the workplace as in many locations around the globe English is considered a lingua franca when working with overseas clients.
With that said, the ability to master additional languages could be just the thing that gives your business the competitive edge.
This is particularly important when doing business in regions where knowledge of English is not a given.
Consider hiring staff that are proficient in languages that are relevant to your sector, whether that’s Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean or any other language.
The benefits of speaking your clients’ native language
Your client will view your dedication to having invested the time to learn their language as a long-term commitment.
Furthermore, this will reward you with long-standing relationships and loyalty from your customers. It’s also worth noting that having an understanding of the language used in your new market will enable you to acquire far better insights into the local character, customs, and beliefs.
This is invaluable knowledge when it comes to marketing and providing the best service to your clients.
Multilingual employees help foster strong relationships with clients
Employing multilingual people can bring great benefits to your company. These employees will enable your business to connect easily with foreign customers and other local organisations.
The ability to provide your services in multiple languages gives clients a strong impression of your company; it will build greater trust and appreciation for your services, resulting in strong relationships with your clients.
These relationships can be translated into significant profits, meaning hiring multilingual employees is a sensible financial decision.
What if your team isn’t multilingual?
Not all companies have the luxury of employing multilingual people, which can put them at a disadvantage. But never fear!
By hiring a professional translation service, your company can gain many of the benefits of multilingual employees, and more besides.
Translators can be used for a wide variety of communicative tasks, from informal communications between companies to legal contracts and marketing campaigns.
Contracting professional translators guarantees that any content you produce in the target language is of the highest quality.
BeTranslated’s vast network of expert translators could be just the thing your company needs to facilitate its international expansion.
Get in touch today for more information or a free, no-obligation quote.
Contact us
Looking for professional translation services? Contact BeTranslated for fast, efficient service that fits your deadlines and requirements.
How to Succeed as A Freelance Translator in 9 Simple Steps
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 benefit you and 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 help your translations keep 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 important 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 key 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.