Poll: How many of your regular clients are direct clients? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How many of your regular clients are direct clients?".
View the poll results »
| | | |
I have 10 regular customers: 9 translation agencies (4 of these are super regular meaning that I invoice them every month) and 1 direct client (a regional organization for whom I translate twice a year a lot of documents and reports for the plenary meetings). Then there are those who come back from time to time (the not so regulars) and the one-offs (some are agencies, others are direct clients)...
[Edited at 2022-07-21 06:45 GMT]
[Edited at 2022-07-21 07:33 GMT]
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 18:39
Spanish to English
+ ...
I only occasionally work with one or two agencies nowadays. I don't think I've done anything for them myself in the past couple of years - lately when they approach me, I usually recommend them to a colleague with more availability.
However, don't ask me how I acquired my direct clients. Most of them came to me by word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers. Before I got into translation full-time, I was a TEFL trainer, and made some contacts through my teaching activity,... See more I only occasionally work with one or two agencies nowadays. I don't think I've done anything for them myself in the past couple of years - lately when they approach me, I usually recommend them to a colleague with more availability.
However, don't ask me how I acquired my direct clients. Most of them came to me by word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers. Before I got into translation full-time, I was a TEFL trainer, and made some contacts through my teaching activity, and it just sort of built up from there. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Robert Forstag 
United States
Local time: 12:39
Spanish to English
+ ...
The work I have received from direct clients has been either one-offs or very occasional.
So, while none of my direct-client work has been regular, I have gotten a certain percentage of work from direct clients.
This option was not among the choices offered.
[Edited at 2022-07-21 20:59 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
Kay Denney
France
Local time: 18:39
French to English
I see I'm in a tiny minority with more than 50% of my clients being direct.
I expect if the question was about the proportion of earnings from direct clients it wouldn't be as much, in that most direct clients contact me only a couple of times a year, whereas agencies do give a steadier stream of work. But I have 11 direct clients and 7 agencies.
I'm amazed to see that the vast majority have answered that they work only with agencies!
While I do appreciate working with agenci... See more I see I'm in a tiny minority with more than 50% of my clients being direct.
I expect if the question was about the proportion of earnings from direct clients it wouldn't be as much, in that most direct clients contact me only a couple of times a year, whereas agencies do give a steadier stream of work. But I have 11 direct clients and 7 agencies.
I'm amazed to see that the vast majority have answered that they work only with agencies!
While I do appreciate working with agencies, it's so much more gratifying to work with direct clients. I get invites to their concerts, exhibitions and other events they organise, I usually get to chat a little about the job before doing it, so I know more about the point of the translation and as a result I can do a better job. Direct clients are more likely to ask questions, which keeps me on my toes. And they are less likely to quibble over the price.
[Edited at 2022-07-21 12:51 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | None, only agencies | Jul 21, 2022 |
My experience with direct clients is limited to a drop in an ocean of projects from agencies.
Philippe
| | | | | 75% by volume | Jul 21, 2022 |
Direct clients rule. Well, decent ones. You set the deadline, you set the price, they treat you like a professional. Love them.
| | | |
without exception. I have never worked for agencies and never will.
Direct clients usually become friends
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: How many of your regular clients are direct clients? | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
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... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
