Post: #1

Im thinking about getting into the biz and would like to hear your stories. Im talking professional translations here, using TRADOS.

Can you recommend it? Whats your average pay? How hard is it to find clients? Etc.

Post: #2

(11-11-2012 02:25 PM)BoiBoi Wrote:  Im thinking about getting into the biz and would like to hear your stories. Im talking professional translations here, using TRADOS.

Can you recommend it? Whats your average pay? How hard is it to find clients? Etc.

I looked into it a while ago. I read a decent book on it, "How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator" by Corinne Mckay. It's like 150 pages so you can plow through it and get an idea of what it takes.

Also this guy was doing it while he travelled the world:
http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-be...ranslator/

Alot of translators seem to be older people and fairly poor at marketing and online presence, so if you can beat them out there you'll have an advantage. They all seem keen on qualifications and memberships etc, but my hunch is that you'll stand or fall on your ability to do the work, market yourself, and differentiate yourself. That means testimonials, samples, great website with compelling copywriting, finding and specialising in a high-paying niche, and hustling hard via email and cold-calling to get work.

From what I understand the way to earn good $$ is have an in-demand speciality in a lucrative niche, like translating patents or law or mining engineering. That way you can really charge alot per word.

I keep toying with the idea myself - I know I'd find the work really agreeable - but I know my German isnt good enough yet. I could maybe get it up to par in a few weeks of intensive study and reading though. The other thing is that Im worried that by making it my work, I'll end up killing my love of languages.

Post: #3

Thanks for the info Richie, just what I needed!
I hold a masters degree in languages and business, but since Im struggling to get a nice corporate job, Im strongly considering to first do an internship at a localization company to learn the necessary tools of the trade and then go freelance afterwards.
Other experiences/ideas/etc.?