Thoughts on Translation is on summer hiatus until August. Feel free to browse the archives, or check out the lineup of online classes that I’ll be running later this summer and in the fall. Happy summer break to everyone!
Announcements
A new look, and a special offer!
As you can see, Thoughts on Translation has a whole new look! After eight years of blogging and nearly 700 posts, I decided it was time to give the site a long-overdue update (huge thanks to my web designer Guy Greenbaum), and I’m very happy with the transition. All of the past content (including all of your comments!) is still here at the same URLs as always, and I look forward to many more years of lively discussions.
I’m particularly excited that the new site includes a home for my online courses, so that you can browse all of them in one place and register right there (instead of hopping back and forth from this site to my client-facing site and back again…). I currently have four classes open for registration (Getting Started as a Freelance Translator, Beyond the Basics of Freelancing, Marketing to Direct Clients and Breaking Into the Book Translation Market), and as a site launch special, you can use the coupon code 10Today to save 10% off any class (or classes!) if you register today, Friday June 24. Additionally, if you are an ATA member, enter coupon code ATA to receive the ATA member rate (you can enter both coupons if you’re an ATA member).
On the courses page, just click on the tile for any course to expand it and read the description and start dates. A student who just completed my Getting Started course commented “I truly enjoyed Corinne’s class for beginners in the business of freelance translation and especially appreciated her individual feedback. Her practical advice was invaluable and helped improve my confidence and clarify my goals. Getting Started as a Freelance Translator was well worth the investment, and I hope to take other classes with Corinne in the future.” I hope to see some of you in the summer and fall sessions!
Marketing to Direct Clients: reserve your spot
The next session of my online course “Marketing to Direct Clients” starts on April 11, and registration is open on my website. This is a four-week, fully online course for translators who want to market to and work successfully with direct clients. Your registration fee ($320; $305 for ATA members) includes four sets of weekly slide shows with audio tracks, eight live question and answer sessions (recordings provided if you don’t attend live), four sets of weekly readings, and 20 daily tasks.
By the end of the course, you’ll have direct client marketing materials, a marketing plan, and a financial plan for the direct client component of your business.
A recent participant in one of my online courses commented that “This course is an absolute must for anyone looking to jump into the freelance world. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or someone returning to freelance work (like me), you absolutely must make time for this class! It is the best investment you’ll make in yourself.”
If you resolved to ramp up (or launch!) the direct client component of your business this year, let’s get you going on that goal.
Beyond the Basics of Freelancing: starts Monday
Update: this session is now full; the next session starts on August 22 and you can register at the link below.
The next session of my four-week online course for experienced freelancers, Beyond the Basics of Freelancing, starts Monday. I have two spots left in this session and you can read the full description or register on my website. Registration is $320 ($15 discount for ATA members) and includes four sets of weekly video lessons, a private Google group for the class participants, eight live question and answer sessions, 20 daily assignments and four sets of weekly readings.
I introduced this new format in the January session of my introductory course, and a participant commented: “The course paid for itself before it was even over, just by my applying the first week’s tips and advice. It is practical, practical, practical, and the Q & A sessions are extremely informative. If you love translation and are committed to providing quality work, there is no reason why you shouldn’t make a good living at it, and this course is about as specific as it gets with how to achieve that.”
Beyond the Basics is for established translators who want to earn more money, work with high-quality agencies and direct clients, enjoy their work more or pursue new specializations. Hope to see some of you there!
ATA in the New York Times
Today’s New York Times features a letter from ATA President David Rumsey, in response to the NYT’s article about the recently-revised US visa requirements for Afghan and Iraqi interpreters. It’s exciting that this letter is appearing in the print and online editions; here it is!