Some Job Success Tips from TRAVOD for Freelance Translators

Translating documents, is not everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, there is a lot of skill that goes into translation both general and specialized. Such skill is learned overtime, with experience and practice of course.

Freelance translation is a skill that is high in demand because the translation industry is constant increasing. Top-notch translation services like TRAVOD that are constantly growing, always need the services of freelance translators. Hence, the translation industry it is a promising spot to begin your freelancing career if you’ve got the required skills.

These are the hottest tips that can bring freelance translators a good job success

1. Firstly, understanding the instructions of a particular job is perhaps the most crucial task. So before you begin, make sure that you have gone through each and every tiny requirement of the particular job/gig. Once you’ve gone through it, only take those jobs that which you are confident about. Remember! Good quality work is what develops your reputation through good feedback, and that is what opens more opportunities for you in the long-run.

2. Ensure good communication with the client. Before you begin working on a project, just ensure that there are no communication barriers between you and your client. This includes both geographical and language barriers. While geographical barriers can still be overcome by working at odd hours, language barriers usually make the job difficult. It is highly likely that you will find it difficult to interpret a client’s requirements and messages, if he/she is not fluent in the language. Moreover, it is important to discuss each and every requirement before you begin. Once you know exactly what you client expects you to do, you can work towards bringing exceptional results. Otherwise, there is a good chance that your client might not find satisfaction in your work. This can harm you in the form of a negative feedback, which you simply cannot afford (especially if it is your first job). So do not hesitate to go an extra mile!

3. Readily make use of all the sources that you can while you are translating. For instance, if a client sends you a database make sure to use it! That is the only way you can bring your client the results that he/she expects from you. Remember! This is not about what you like, this is about what the client wants from you. To add more quality to your translation, do not forget to use glossaries and similar reference material that you can get.

4. If you have a translation project manager assigned to you, make sure to remain in contact with him/her at all times. This can give you a better idea of what you have to produce, and will prevent you from going off the track at any point of your work. For instance, if you feel like there is an issue in the glossary or the database that you have been provided, get it cleared it immediately. Contact the project manager by whatever means available, and let him/her know about it. Also, keep your project manager updated at all times regarding the way your assigned work is turning out. If you are facing any sort of problems, let the project manager know about the exact cause of it. This can prevent misunderstandings in the future. Bringing modifications in the document once the desired work is complete, can be painstakingly difficult. So watch out!

5. Most importantly, if you wat to create good quality work then never hesitate to look for potential sources over the internet. For instance, if you are translating for a beverage brand then look for the websites of the brand’s competitors that are already translated to your language. This can widen up your perspective about what your client might be expecting for you. Identifying such sources can also help you out with the terminologies and the style that which you have to adopt in your translation. This is what we say, “going an extra mile” for your clients and it is always highly appreciated. However, remember to keep your clients and project managers about the extra efforts that you are making. This can bring you bonuses or perhaps, more work in the future. After all, establishing trust with the client is extremely rewarding. However, avoid boasting about your extra efforts as that could have a negative impact.

6. Avoid word-to-word translation. While it might sound easy to you, and of course it takes far lesser time to translate stuff word to word. But that is probably not what your client wants from you. So make sure to add expressions in your translated text. A text that is simply translated in a literal way from one language into another, sounds boring and extremely dry. For instance, consider the example of movie subtitles that have to be translated into a foreign language. If you would try translating the sentences word-for-word, they will lose their essence and beauty. Your clients will probably hate for that. So make sure to recognize the essence of those sentences, and then look for ways to convert it in the other language while still remaining the original expressions.

7. Once you have completed the entire translation, run a spellchecker to remove all the spelling errors/mistakes. It is highly unattractive to a client, if you deliver work that is full of spelling errors. That way, the client would probably never seek you out for more work again. Also, make sure to spend enough time proofreading the final translated document. It should turn out perfect, and ready-to-use for your clients.

8. In the end, do not forget to include important notes for your clients (if there are any of course). Delivering your final work with a note for the client is a good gesture. It shows that you actually care about the client, and that you had probably put attention to great detail in the work that you have provided. This can help in the formation of a good work relationship between you and your client. Gestures like these increase the chances of your client returning back to you, whenever there is more work available!