There are a lot of disparities within the translation and interpreting industry, and one of those is the difference between language pairs/specializations that are fairly rare versus those that are fairly saturated. In this post I'll both offer and request advice, since I often have students in my … [Read more...] about Some thoughts on saturated markets
Money
When a non-paying client "plays dead"
Non-paying clients are never fun to deal with, but it can be especially hard to deal with a non-paying client who "plays dead": simply never responds to your phone calls, e-mails or letters. As a freelancer, what's the best course of action when faced with a client who owes you money and practices … [Read more...] about When a non-paying client "plays dead"
Some thoughts on rates and quotes
I really enjoyed reading The Freelancery's recent post on whether or not to publish your freelance rates on your website. Since my website redesign a few years ago, I've struggled with this same dilemma: I grow weary of preparing quotes for clients whose budget turns out to be 1/3 of what I charge, … [Read more...] about Some thoughts on rates and quotes
Two cents, or $10,000?
If you're a freelancer, you probably conduct price negotiations with clients or potential clients almost every day of your professional life. For translators, especially translators who work with agencies, these negotiations often come down to a difference of one or two cents. Your minimum rate is … [Read more...] about Two cents, or $10,000?
A few financial management tips
After working all day on my business taxes (year-end and fourth quarter...I need a mocha!), my thoughts are firmly stuck in the financial realm. So let's stick with that topic and talk about some tips for managing your freelance finances. Some of these are US-specific and some apply worldwide, so … [Read more...] about A few financial management tips