Tips how to get in contact with end clients Thread poster: Kristian Hannler (X)
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Kristian Hannler (X) 
Sweden
Local time: 14:26
English to Swedish
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Hi! My name is Kristian. I run my own business. I translate from English into Swedish or vice versa. I have translated for translation companies, but it would be better to translate for end clients. What is the best way to get in contact with them? I would like to know if there is some directory or forum which is particularly good for that?
| | | | Lincoln Hui
Hong Kong
Local time: 21:26
Member
Chinese to English
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Parents, family friends, classmates, people you met at church...what, you wanted an easy way? Ain't gonna happen. ProZ is as close as it gets.
And be careful what you wish for. There is this myth about end clients being the promised land for translators, and let's just say...many of the people who propagate this myth have never really thought about what the client is looking for versus what they are looking for.
| | | | Kevin Fulton
United States
Local time: 08:26
German to English
| Try trade shows | Mar 27, 2020 |
After the pandemic subsides (assuming it does), you might try attending trade shows in your areas of specialization. Bring business cards and brochures describing you business. I did this for several years with various levels of success. At the least, I came away with technical brochures, parts lists, pens, notepaper, and in a couple of instances, useful dictionaries/glossaries. I also managed to get a couple of well-paying jobs.
| | | | Tea Komšić
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 14:26
English to Croatian
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For that, I would recommend a lot of marketing. Try to be more present on social media, post content, interesting facts about translation, things you work on at the moment. This is the best way to reach out to people, and the way people will get to know that you are here, and that you do such work as translating. Also, use everything what Proz.com offers, especially such forums, because here, you can actually meet some end clients. But, content on social media is, really, one of the best ways in... See more For that, I would recommend a lot of marketing. Try to be more present on social media, post content, interesting facts about translation, things you work on at the moment. This is the best way to reach out to people, and the way people will get to know that you are here, and that you do such work as translating. Also, use everything what Proz.com offers, especially such forums, because here, you can actually meet some end clients. But, content on social media is, really, one of the best ways in today's world.
This is, of course, from my perspective, and something that helps me a lot. I hope it will be useful to you too. ▲ Collapse
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 13:26
Member (2007)
English
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| Associate your name/business with their needs | Mar 27, 2020 |
Tea Komšić wrote:
Try to be more present on social media, post content, interesting facts about translation, things you work on at the moment. This is the best way to reach out to people, and the way people will get to know that you are here, and that you do such work as translating.
As a boomer, it isn't something I've really got to grips with. But I firmly believe that it's the way to go. Show an interest in your job and in your client's sector. Even if you go to trade shows etc., it's better to show an interest in the exhibitors than to try a hard-sell routine on them.
| | | | Tea Komšić
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 14:26
English to Croatian
+ ...
Sheila Wilson wrote:
Tea Komšić wrote:
Try to be more present on social media, post content, interesting facts about translation, things you work on at the moment. This is the best way to reach out to people, and the way people will get to know that you are here, and that you do such work as translating.
As a boomer, it isn't something I've really got to grips with. But I firmly believe that it's the way to go. Show an interest in your job and in your client's sector. Even if you go to trade shows etc., it's better to show an interest in the exhibitors than to try a hard-sell routine on them.
Exactly! If people see that you are interested in their sector, and in their needs, it will surely have an effect
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Expanding on what Lincoln Hui said below about being careful what one wishes for: some years ago I used to work with a particular direct client. Projects were interesting, well paid and on time, but this client was so demanding with quite lengthy projects going back and forth just to change a new word here and there or to include a new paragraph that I’m more than happy to keep on working with them through… an agency. I don’t earn as much but (almost) all the stress is gone!
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:26
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Kristian Hannler wrote:
Hi! My name is Kristian. I run my own business. I translate from English into Swedish or vice versa. I have translated for translation companies, but it would be better to translate for end clients. What is the best way to get in contact with them? I would like to know if there is some directory or forum which is particularly good for that?
If you have a good profile on Proz, and if you offer a very particular specialism in a narrow field, you'll find that over time, prospective clients will come looking for you.
Think of Proz as a a shop window. Is your window display interesting? Would people stop and take a look?
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:26
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Teresa Borges wrote:
Expanding on what Lincoln Hui said below about being careful what one wishes for: some years ago I used to work with a particular direct client. Projects were interesting, well paid and on time, but this client was so demanding with quite lengthy projects going back and forth just to change a new word here and there or to include a new paragraph that I’m more than happy to keep on working with them through… an agency. I don’t earn as much but (almost) all the stress is gone!
I once translated an entire book for an Italian direct client. He said my English translation was so good that he decided to rewrite the whole thing. Then I had to translate the whole thing over again - whilst he kept on making further "improvements". It nearly drove me out of my mind - and the publisher too.
Since that time I have always made it clear to prospective clients that I only work on the definitive text and I will not accept any revisions or additions after I have started my work.
[Edited at 2020-03-28 10:48 GMT]
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Over the years, I’ve been contacted by some direct clients through the Proz directory. That’s how I got my highest-paid assignments from a leading human rights organization. Having a good profile, standing out in the directory by answering KudoZ questions do make a difference.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:26
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| ...or not answering | Mar 28, 2020 |
Teresa Borges wrote:
.....standing out in the directory by answering KudoZ questions does make a difference.
Out of sheer bloody-mindedness, I avoid answering KudoZ questions that fall within my specialist fields (architecture/construction/real estate/etc.) when they're asked by someone who has taken on a job that *I* could have taken on and who is clearly out of her/his depth. Questions I could answer in a flash. Instead, I enjoy watching them flounder.
Let that be a warning to all you incompetent translators who take on jobs in those fields, but who really don't know anything about them!
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