| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: What do you think would be the best way to increase your income? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What do you think would be the best way to increase your income?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Michael Harris 
Germany
Local time: 14:54
Member (2006)
German to English
customers with better rates
| | | | | Gain more clients... | Aug 30, 2012 |
... and keep them. That's all folks!
[Edited at 2012-08-30 09:01 GMT]
| | | | | It's interesting what a difference the wording of these polls makes | Aug 30, 2012 |
The best way in the sense of easiest or most effective would be simply to work longer hours
But the best way in terms of my mental health would be to find customers who pay more
And where was the option "Get a proper job"?!
[Edited at 2012-08-30 09:04 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
| just simple math | Aug 30, 2012 |
ask+wait for reply=extend your working hours
I'm with the majority.
[Edited at 2012-08-30 15:40 GMT]
| | | | | Current clients | Aug 30, 2012 |
I voted for "ask current clients for better rates", because it is easier to keep current clients than to seek new ones. But a translator doesn't "ask for rates", which would be ridiculous, he has his rates and from time to time communicates his new rates to his clients. Some accept, others are more reluctant.
| | | | David Wright
Austria
Local time: 14:54
German to English
+ ...
Shift the balance between my existing clients so that I get more work from those who pay more and can do less for those who pay less. (and of course put my rates up!)
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 08:54
English to Spanish
+ ...
They forgot an obvious option to increase one's income: sell the stuff you no longer use, like old computers, printers, clothers, furniture, etc.
| | |
|
|
|
Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 21:54
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
How about finding ways to increase efficiency and productivity in your translation methods?
You will be receiving the same money for doing less work which in effect increases your hourly rate.
You can use the extra time for relaxation or accept a little more work and boost your overall income.
Of course, nobody's mentioned robbing banks yet. 
| | | | | All of the above | Aug 30, 2012 |
All of the above.....working faster, working longer hours (larger volumes), improving quality, refusing unconscionable rates, setting reasonable rates (that you determine based on experience), having an emergency fund and multiple income sources (different agencies or different work or investment). Set the minimum rate based on sound analysis of your needs and capacity and stick to it. Consider other types of work for slow periods (or "no" periods), if any. With faster work, longer hours, better... See more All of the above.....working faster, working longer hours (larger volumes), improving quality, refusing unconscionable rates, setting reasonable rates (that you determine based on experience), having an emergency fund and multiple income sources (different agencies or different work or investment). Set the minimum rate based on sound analysis of your needs and capacity and stick to it. Consider other types of work for slow periods (or "no" periods), if any. With faster work, longer hours, better quality, rates might improve a little, volume is more important. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 13:54
I answered "work faster", but what I really meant was "work smarter".
Yesterday's experience of manually writing out a translation from hard copy while I was stuck in a noisy hospital waiting room proved to me once again that I could trim down on a good portion of my looking things up the Internet or online reference works.
In a very quick 500 words, I was only stuck on one term - and that was only because the delightful child behind me was kicking the back of my chair... See more I answered "work faster", but what I really meant was "work smarter".
Yesterday's experience of manually writing out a translation from hard copy while I was stuck in a noisy hospital waiting room proved to me once again that I could trim down on a good portion of my looking things up the Internet or online reference works.
In a very quick 500 words, I was only stuck on one term - and that was only because the delightful child behind me was kicking the back of my chair.
I certainly advocate checking things we are not sure of, but when push comes to shove, I reckon most of us have more stored in our brains than we give ourselves credit for. ▲ Collapse
| | | |
I had a deadline moved today from comfortable to panic, and simply had to do the best I could.
I found I had missed two sections (totalling about 50-60 words) when I checked before delivery. The source was on PDF, so a CAT would have caught them.
The client's feedback mentioned one term that I had translated 'normally' instead of using their own specific interpretation of it, but commented that it would not have been easy to find in that sense, even if I had spent time on it.... See more I had a deadline moved today from comfortable to panic, and simply had to do the best I could.
I found I had missed two sections (totalling about 50-60 words) when I checked before delivery. The source was on PDF, so a CAT would have caught them.
The client's feedback mentioned one term that I had translated 'normally' instead of using their own specific interpretation of it, but commented that it would not have been easy to find in that sense, even if I had spent time on it. So I noted it for future reference.
I should probably work smarter, and be more selective about reading other people's blogs and musings, not to mention spreading my own!
And the better paying clients thing is definitely not to be sniffed at. Work smarter, so you can keep them when you catch them!
Make sure you are always as far ahead with your schedule as possible, so you have time to squeeze in that little rushed job with the extra pay when it does turn up, and do not need to say no to good clients too often for lack of time...
OK, now I had better take my own advice.
[Edited at 2012-08-30 14:10 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 14:54
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| The same "Other" | Aug 30, 2012 |
David Wright wrote:
Shift the balance between my existing clients so that I get more work from those who pay more and can do less for those who pay less. (and of course put my rates up!)
... and the same thoughts.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 14:54
Spanish to English
+ ...
My current income is sufficient and any effort I might have to put in to make it any better wouldn't be worth the bother.
"Enough is as good as a feast" (Mary Poppins).
| | | | | expand your client base | Aug 30, 2012 |
Asking our current clients for increases could possibly increase our earnings but some could make the argument that it could also risk some existing relationships. Working longer hours is simply a by-product of the work we receive from existing clients or from the effort of self-promotion.
It could be said that for freelancers, there are 3 types of “time”; production hours, productive downtime and non-productive downtime. Production hours are obviously the hours dedicated to tr... See more Asking our current clients for increases could possibly increase our earnings but some could make the argument that it could also risk some existing relationships. Working longer hours is simply a by-product of the work we receive from existing clients or from the effort of self-promotion.
It could be said that for freelancers, there are 3 types of “time”; production hours, productive downtime and non-productive downtime. Production hours are obviously the hours dedicated to translation/revision/dtp projects. Productive downtime is the hours dedicated to obtaining more work/contracts/clients (self-promotion, sending CVs, etc.). Finally, non-productive downtime is the time simply waiting for existing clients to give us work.
In my opinion the surest way to increase our earnings is to increase our Production Hours by continually dedicating time and effort to expanding our client base. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: What do you think would be the best way to increase your income? | Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
| | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
