As a freelancer you set your own prices however the gig
is subject to serious negotiations and discounts. To venture into the market
you need education and specialization.
Some jobs are highly technical yet attract ridiculously
low prices. The business requires low startup but you face serious competition
and deadlines.
Translation business is broad based and specialization in
a niche area such as law or engineering depends on your focus. You need to
expand your vocabulary, learn translation theory, familiarize yourself with
modern methods and a translator needs to
keeps true to the content.
Personal
Skills
Apart from having deep knowledge of both languages the
translator needs interpersonal skills. The standard and quality of work should
be high and you need good organizational skill.
Essential tools for translation work are business
knowledge, negotiating skill, marketing and an online presence. You need to have
excellent writing skill and a master’s degree in translation. This would become
an added advantage over your competitors.
And there are lots of short courses, conferences and
workshops to learn the trade. Translation courses to consider specialization
are legal, literary or economic.
Learn
the Trade
There are several ways to become a translator. The first
is to acquire an education such as bachelors or masters degree.
You need to have a passion for the business and fluency
in both languages. To develop the talent you can learn through online courses,
guides and books. There are also websites that teach freelancing.
Write
a Business Plan
Once you have the prerequisite education write a
translator business plan. The plan should target a demography and client base.
The plan should focus on marketing, pricing and job
specific areas. Things you need apart from a plan are high speed internet
connection, powerful software and laptop.
Register
the Business
Although you operate as a freelancer it is wise to
register the business. The business name would give a corporate identity and
legitimacy to your services.
Register the business as a limited liability company or
sole proprietorship. Get your tax identification number and insurance cover. In
some countries you need to join an association.
Pricing
Many translation jobs are estimated based on word count.
To get better deals you need to invest in mastering the skill.
The price also depends on area of specialization such as
medical, financial or legal. The price could rage from $0.01 per word to $0.50
per word. As a certified translator your rates get higher and charges better.
Marketing
You need to device a strategy on how to get clients. You
should pitch your services, retain existing clients and maximize income.
The best place to start your campaign is to build a
professional website. To build the website get a host provider, good domain
name and a responsive template.
Feature your services, accomplishments and clients on the
site. Add contact information, prices
and phone number.
A good way to find regular gigs is through translation agencies.
Other methods include word of mouth, translation agencies and networking. It
takes hard work and years to establish yourself as a translator but with time
your earning improve and reputation grows.
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