Poll: Do you have a portfolio of previous work you can show potential clients? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you have a portfolio of previous work you can show potential clients?".
View the poll results »
| | | Angus Stewart United Kingdom Local time: 06:39 French to English + ...
In the field in which I work, the confidentiality of the previous work I have done for my clients is sacrosanct. | | | neilmac Spain Local time: 07:39 Spanish to English + ...
I suppose I could have... if I ever wanted to convince potential clients, which I currently don't. But basically I second what Angus says in his post. And the same goes for TMs. Any client wanting a TM can have one specifically created for them as client, or for the project or job in question, but otherwise they can whistle.
PS: In my current state of grace, I can't even be bothered providing an "updated" CV... never mind an entire "portfolio"....
[Edited at 2017-07-14 08:50 ... See more I suppose I could have... if I ever wanted to convince potential clients, which I currently don't. But basically I second what Angus says in his post. And the same goes for TMs. Any client wanting a TM can have one specifically created for them as client, or for the project or job in question, but otherwise they can whistle.
PS: In my current state of grace, I can't even be bothered providing an "updated" CV... never mind an entire "portfolio"....
[Edited at 2017-07-14 08:50 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | |
I’ve signed NDAs with most of my clients, but I translate quite regularly for a Portuguese weekly newspaper (“Expresso”) and the Portuguese version of a French monthly magazine (“Courrier International”) and I’ve selected a few examples to show to potential clients who visit my website (http://www.bpt.com.pt/index.php?a=samples). | |
|
|
Muriel Vasconcellos (X) United States Local time: 22:39 Spanish to English + ...
My website (www.murieltranslations.com) has links to my book translations and a number of translations that appeared in magazines. They are all from long ago.
I have considered putting together a portfolio of more recent translations that appeared in journals and other publications. | | | DZiW (X) Ukraine English to Russian + ...
Although I'm working with direct clients, I still have got an updated portfolio with samples in several fields and language pairs (including a few official web-site and promo translations) in store. Just in case) | | | Confidentiality | Jul 14, 2017 |
Confidentiality can pose problems, although in many cases, it is theoretically possible to make the documents anonymous. However, in many others, copying an extract, even putting XXXs here and YYYs there still means the source is traceable. Confidentiality and anonymity, and the non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed, means it is simply not possible. There is also a general statutory duty of professional secrecy in France as it is. Also, anyone could say that any piece of work is his or hers. T... See more Confidentiality can pose problems, although in many cases, it is theoretically possible to make the documents anonymous. However, in many others, copying an extract, even putting XXXs here and YYYs there still means the source is traceable. Confidentiality and anonymity, and the non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed, means it is simply not possible. There is also a general statutory duty of professional secrecy in France as it is. Also, anyone could say that any piece of work is his or hers. There is a much simpler way, that is asking clients for references. I have a couple and indeed usually make sure I always have a couple of recent ones to hand. Never does any harm and often convinces potential new clients. All in all, the best way to build your client base is word-of-mouth, client-to-client, or between fellow translators one trusts.
[Edited at 2017-07-14 15:19 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | |
Same here.
I have in my computer all the translations done but none can be shown
Angus Stewart wrote:
In the field in which I work, the confidentiality of the previous work I have done for my clients is sacrosanct. | |
|
|
Francisco ABREU Brazil Local time: 03:39 Member (2005) English to Portuguese + ... Never share previous works | Jul 14, 2017 |
I don't share previous or current works with anyone. My clients implicitly expect their materials to be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Prospective clients generally understand and value that concept. | | | Connected Tr (X) United Kingdom Local time: 06:39 Chinese to English + ... Confidentiality | Jul 14, 2017 |
Confidentiality has to be paramount. I only have a few samples on my profile, all of which are from translations that were made publicly available anyway and which the client had agreed that I could publish. Clients have to be satisfied that I am the only one who will see their document. | | | Ricki Farn Germany Local time: 07:39 English to German
I have a portfolio to show, but not of previous work - (a) for confidentiality reasons, but (b) also because proofreaders often introduce things that I don't consider "my translation" any more, so I couldn't just send people a link to web pages I have done. For my portfolio, I've just translated some texts available under Creative Commons.
It's different for people who translate novels and such things, where the translator is listed in the book itself along with the author. They can... See more I have a portfolio to show, but not of previous work - (a) for confidentiality reasons, but (b) also because proofreaders often introduce things that I don't consider "my translation" any more, so I couldn't just send people a link to web pages I have done. For my portfolio, I've just translated some texts available under Creative Commons.
It's different for people who translate novels and such things, where the translator is listed in the book itself along with the author. They can just link to Amazon. ▲ Collapse | | | Michael Harris Germany Local time: 07:39 Member (2006) German to English
Angus Stewart wrote:
In the field in which I work, the confidentiality of the previous work I have done for my clients is sacrosanct.
Same "problem" here, but apart from that, I would not present them anything anyway. | |
|
|
Mario Freitas Brazil Local time: 03:39 Member (2014) English to Portuguese + ... Something we shouldn't do | Jul 14, 2017 |
We cannot "show" previous work to potential clients, unless we change all company/product/etc names to "XXX", and you still run the risk of breaching an NDA, since there are addresses, e-mails, URLs, etc. in the documents. It's something we really shouldn't do. | | | Kay Denney France Local time: 07:39 French to English
When I wanted to get my master on the strength of my learning on the job, I had to put a portfolio together to show that I didn't need to do all the learning modules. In the end I only needed to do the theory of translation module plus a couple of modules translation from target to source. So the portfolio is a pretty broad set of translations. I had to ask the clients whether I could use their work and whether I would need to blank out any identifying bits, they all agreed except for one who sa... See more When I wanted to get my master on the strength of my learning on the job, I had to put a portfolio together to show that I didn't need to do all the learning modules. In the end I only needed to do the theory of translation module plus a couple of modules translation from target to source. So the portfolio is a pretty broad set of translations. I had to ask the clients whether I could use their work and whether I would need to blank out any identifying bits, they all agreed except for one who said he'd need to check I'd made the samples truly anonymous. In the end, I just cited a couple of expressions out of his files as examples of having to adapt prose for the reader's culture, and how franglais can be a deadly trap. Anyway, I did mention at the time that it would be for my master but perhaps also to show potential clients, so I can send it to anyone who asks.
I have yet to send it to anyone however since I haven't actually needed to market my services since going freelance. ▲ Collapse | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Do you have a portfolio of previous work you can show potential clients? Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
| Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |