These topics have been on my mind lately; it's summer, I have more time to think, and I have some airplane rides during which to listen to podcasts that are good food for thought. So here we go: a few thoughts on multiple revenue streams, "productizing," and passive income for translators. Way back … [Read more...] about Multiple revenue streams, "productizing," and passive income
Money
When a client asks for a discount
When a client asks, "can you lower your rate?," you can respond in various ways. You could get defensive and belligerent ("For your information, I'm a serious professional whose work is worth real money"). You could offer some snarky feedback on the rate the client is proposing ("No serious … [Read more...] about When a client asks for a discount
Time management strategy: look at your rates
Here's a time management strategy that, at first glance, doesn't seem like a time management strategy. Make sure that you set your translation rates so that you have enough time for non-billable work. If you're looking for the sound-bite version of this concept, you can stop reading! … [Read more...] about Time management strategy: look at your rates
It's a Courtesy…
Translator mailing lists and message boards are full of translators asking, "Can you charge extra for...?" (formatting, translating from a poor-quality PDF, talking to the client's staff on the phone, and so on). If the client is an agency, you have to negotiate those extra charges (or extra unpaid … [Read more...] about It's a Courtesy…
Reader question: following the money
A student in my online class asks: how do you know who the "big payers" are in a given industry, and how do you find them or help them find you? That could be a whole course in and of itself; but here are my thoughts in a nutshell: Every industry or sector has "big payers." For example, when I … [Read more...] about Reader question: following the money