Here's a conundrum that I hear frequently from freelancers at all experience levels: agencies won't pay my rates, and I can't find any direct clients. What should I do? Well, let's see: First, adjust your mindset. Tough love tip: if you truly believe that *zero* agencies will pay your desired … [Read more...] about “Agencies won’t pay my rates, and I can’t find direct clients”: what to do?
Rates
How to make more money without having a breakdown
Among the amorphous goals that many of us have for our freelance business, "I want/need to make more money" often heads the list. It's often joined by other amorphous goals such as "I want/need more work," or "I need some better clients." The problem with "I want/need to make more money" is that … [Read more...] about How to make more money without having a breakdown
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…