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After
completing their translation training programmes at
higher professional education or university levels,
many students can't wait to set up as freelance
translators. However, gaining a foothold as a
freelancer in a very competitive translation market
may turn out to be a pretty complicated business.
Translation agencies are not usually keen on
contracting inexperienced translators, business
clients are difficult to find without commercial
tools, and the tax authorities won't just accept
anyone as a self-employed person. So what do you
need to do to set up shop as a successful freelance
translator?
Translation Agencies - Most translation
agencies are wary of admitting new freelancers into
their networks. After all, it takes a while before
it really becomes clear whether a freelancer can
live up to their expectations: does he/she stick to
agreed deadlines, offer a consistent level of
quality, consult relevant reference resources, deal
effectively with various registers and
specialisations (commercial, technical, medical,
financial, IT, etc.)? Many translation agencies
begin with a 'trial period' in which they closely
monitor the work submitted by new freelance
translators. To reduce the risk of a fiasco - and
avoid the associated costs - translation agencies
normally only accept applications from freelance
translators who have had at least two or three
years' full-time experience in the translation
business.
Business Clients - In their attempts to
introduce themselves directly to companies,
freelancers usually find it difficult to gain access
to the people that matter and, once they are there,
to secure orders. Companies tend to prefer
outsourcing translation services to partners that
are able to offer comprehensive solutions. They look
for agencies that can fill their translation needs
in a range of different languages, are always
available, can take on specialised texts and have
the procedures in place to ensure that all deadlines
are met. In view of their need for continuity,
capacity and diversity it is hardly surprising that
many companies select an all-round translation
agency rather than individual freelancers. An agency
may be more expensive than a freelancer, but the
additional service and quality guarantees justify
the extra investment.
Tips to
achieve success as a freelance translator: What
steps will you need to take after graduation to
develop into a successful freelance translator?
1. After
completing your studies, it's best not to present
yourself on the market straightaway as a freelance
translator, but first to find employment at an
all-round translation firm and spend a couple of
years there to gain the necessary practical
experience. As a salaried employee, your income will
be less compared to what you might potentially earn
in a freelance capacity, but don't forget that
without experience you're never going to be
successful in the first place. In many cases, you
will be assigned to a senior translator who revises
your translations, monitors your progress, and makes
you aware of your strengths and weaknesses. This
will enable you to acquire the skills and baggage
you need on your way to becoming a professional
translator, and will give you the opportunity to
experiment with various types of texts and
disciplines.
2. If you
can't find a position in paid employment, try to
find a post as an (unpaid) trainee. A translation
agency may not have the capacity or resources to
take on new staff, but it may still be able to offer
you an excellent training post to help you gain
practical experience in a commercial environment. A
traineeship may serve as an effective springboard
for a career in the translation business, perhaps
even within the same agency that offered the
traineeship.
3. After
having whetted your skills at a translation agency
for a number of years, you may decide that the time
has come for you to find your own clients. Ideally,
you should move on to a part-time contract so that
you have enough time to recruit clients and work for
them, and enough money to live on. It is important
to make clear arrangements with your boss at this
stage, to avoid a conflict of interests. The best
strategy is to send your personal details and CVs to
a selected group of professional translation firms
and translation departments within companies and
governmental institutions, explicitly referring to
your work experience. Don't forget to highlight your
willingness to do a free test translation.
4. Make
sure to register as a self-employed person with the
relevant tax authorities and seek their advice if
necessary.
5. Once
you have managed to find enough freelance work to
keep yourself busy for around 20 hours a week, you
might consider terminating your employment contract
and devoting the extra time to attracting new
business. In 20 hours most experienced freelance
translators tend to earn around as much as a
full-time translator in salaried employment.
These are
obviously very general guidelines, and your personal
career may evolve along quite different lines
depending on your preferences, skills and personal
conditions. Whatever your circumstances, however,
you will find that experience and a certain amount
of business acumen are the things that matter most
in a successful freelance career.
Fester
Leenstra is co-owner of Metamorfose Vertalingen, a
translation agency in Utrecht (The Netherlands).
After having worked for several translation firms in
paid employment, he took the plunge in 2004 and
incorporated his own company. For further details
about Metamorfose Vertalingen, visit
http://www.metamorfosevertalingen.nl.
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