| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Are you spending more time or effort on marketing now than you normally would? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Are you spending more time or effort on marketing now than you normally would?".
View the poll results »
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I haven’t marketed my services for a long time because over the years I’ve managed to build a good base of loyal and regular customers. This isn’t my first quiet period and things will get better soon. I’m already booked for two long projects, one to start at the last week of May and the other one around the middle of June.
| | | | Yolande Hivart
Austria
Local time: 13:50
Member (2016)
German to French
But I do not rely anymore on the loyalty of customers, even after many years this is an illusion, especially if your only contact is through the internet, the winds can change very quickly without you seeing it coming.
I now see keeping a basic marketing part of the process of remaining independant. At the same level as keeping further training.
This said I am already booked for a project in the summer too, but I will only count on it only when the invoiced amount is on my account. ... See more But I do not rely anymore on the loyalty of customers, even after many years this is an illusion, especially if your only contact is through the internet, the winds can change very quickly without you seeing it coming.
I now see keeping a basic marketing part of the process of remaining independant. At the same level as keeping further training.
This said I am already booked for a project in the summer too, but I will only count on it only when the invoiced amount is on my account. If another coming project clash, then I will rearrange the timeframe. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Samuel Murray 
Netherlands
Local time: 13:50
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
No, but I really should, since I'm now competing with all those bilinguals sitting at home wondering what they can do to make money.
[Edited at 2020-05-02 11:37 GMT]
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I've faced the fact that business will be slow and I'm enjoying the break to catch up on some long overdue projects. Maybe later, but right now I'm happy.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:50
Member (2008)
Italian to English
"Are you spending more time or effort on marketing now than you normally would?"
No, but I should be. Well....maybe.... a little more.
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Tom in London wrote:
"Are you spending more time or effort on marketing now than you normally would?"
No, but I should be. Well....maybe.... a little more.
No, but I should be and a lot more and if the result of 70% No till 17:25 CET is anything to go by, translators know that they should concentrate on marketing too but don't.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:50
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Josephine Cassar wrote:
Tom in London wrote:
"Are you spending more time or effort on marketing now than you normally would?"
No, but I should be. Well....maybe.... a little more.
No, but I should be and a lot more and if the result of 70% No till 17:25 CET is anything to go by, translators know that they should concentrate on marketing too but don't.
To me, marketing feels like a form of subservience: trying to ingratiate myself with people whose power to give me work, or not, I would have to implicitly recognise even though I may privately despise them. For that reason I avoid doing it.
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Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 13:50
Member (2006)
German to English
not at the moment because most companies in Germany are still not working as they were 2 months ago. I am hoping that things will start to pick up again in 2 to 3 weeks.
| | | | Michael Newton
United States
Local time: 07:50
Japanese to English
+ ...
Tom in London wrote: "marketing feels like a form of subservience".
We are offering a service and you have to inform prospective clients about that service. How else will they know about you? We all were "subservient" to our professors at university telling them what they wanted to hear to get good grades. But that is life. You have to work up a script when you make cold calls (or cold emails) telling the client exactly why your services are so fantastic and why only you can provide the qu... See more Tom in London wrote: "marketing feels like a form of subservience".
We are offering a service and you have to inform prospective clients about that service. How else will they know about you? We all were "subservient" to our professors at university telling them what they wanted to hear to get good grades. But that is life. You have to work up a script when you make cold calls (or cold emails) telling the client exactly why your services are so fantastic and why only you can provide the quality they need. (the "quality experience"). Make it short and to the point. Rather than cower in fear, project confidence and pride. But, expect to be rejected some of the time. The more often you present your script, the more confident you will become and the easier it will be for you. Better "subservience" than starvation. Forza, Tommaso! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 09:50
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
The workload is still the same, so the time for networking is also the same (so far... let's see how long this lasts).
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:50
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Michael Newton wrote:
....... Rather than cower in fear
I don't cower in fear!
project confidence and pride
Confidence yes, pride absolutely not. Pride is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. People hate pride.[/quote]
Better "subservience" than starvation. Forza, Tommaso!
The thing is: I'm not starving and don't have an impelling need to do marketing. I was simply responding to the question at the top of this thread.
[Edited at 2020-05-03 07:37 GMT]
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| No, in fact less | May 3, 2020 |
I have always regarded making my presence felt as marketing, hence my activity on this site and elsewhere.
I hate cold callers who ring when I am busy and ask me who is responsible for telephony in the company, whether the lighting is adequate in my production area, or whether I need a regular supply of paper and printer cartridges... They offer me wellness vouchers as Christmas presents for my customers, claim they can cut my electricity bills, and all sorts of brilliant ideas that... See more I have always regarded making my presence felt as marketing, hence my activity on this site and elsewhere.
I hate cold callers who ring when I am busy and ask me who is responsible for telephony in the company, whether the lighting is adequate in my production area, or whether I need a regular supply of paper and printer cartridges... They offer me wellness vouchers as Christmas presents for my customers, claim they can cut my electricity bills, and all sorts of brilliant ideas that are a waste of my time. They think I am being flippant when I tell them the company consists of me, my computer and a coffee cup, and of course I do have a few other useful items, but you know what I mean.
So no, I never phone or mail potential clients, subserviently or otherwise. trying to persuade them they need me. I just try to ensure they will think of me and can find me when they do.
Right now I have injured my shoulder and can only type with one hand. I can use my good hand, and considering how hopeless I am with both hands, I am almost managing as usual.  It suits me fine, however, that work is very quiet, and I will probably send an electronic 'postcard' to a few of my best clients with a status report in a month or so. I regularly let them know of holiday plans and when I am back - and that usually keeps the jobs coming.
Stay safe, everyone, and may the good clients find you! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Marketing as a hobby | May 3, 2020 |
I enjoy marketing! For me, it is a little like show and tell. Tell people what I do, exchange information, and so on. It’s a part of my normal routine.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:50
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Anastasia Kingsley Kinkusic wrote:
I enjoy marketing! For me, it is a little like show and tell. Tell people what I do, exchange information, and so on. It’s a part of my normal routine.
OK show and tell: what, exactly, do you do?
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