A German English Translator Tells All About Her Freelance Business (part 2)

Q: 5.As a German English translator, what do you do to overcome the challengers you face ?

A: Re. the target-language deprivation, I make sure I stay in an English-speaking environment for several weeks each year, to catch up on those little phrases and terms that you can so easily miss when living abroad (“White Van Man” was one a few years ago!)

I also have my internet radio tuned to BBC Radio 4 and am an avid listener.

I am a member of the local Chamber of Commerce which hosts translation-related events on a quarterly basis.

This is a good way of meeting colleagues and establishing networks.

Q: 6. What are the things you do as a German English translator on a regular basis to attract clients and quality translation jobs?

A: In Austria we talk a lot about “Vitamin B” where “B” stands for “Beziehungen”= relationships. I have won several regular clients by word of mouth – and so the key is to provide good work to keep them!

Obviously, if you do a good job you’ll usually be asked again but getting your foot in the door is the primary challenge. I can’t imagine this is a state peculiar to Austria, so my general advice to any translator would be to constantly keep your eyes and ears open.

I did once write a slightly stinky letter to a government organisation pointing out that dreadful English was not good for its image when advertising in a major international business magazine. The English annoyed me as a professional German English translator, because it reflected badly on the organisation, and I wrote to them simply to get this off my chest - so you can imagine how surprised I was to get a call from the agency asking for help with future ads!

In general, writing a rather more polite letter suggesting how you would improve a passage in a published text is quite a good strategy if you find a bad translation in the public arena and you think you could do better.

However, you also need to think global. I’m registered with ProZ and several LinkedIn groups related to language and translation in order to maintain my profile and pick up tips and ideas, but most of my jobs come from local agencies and clients with whom one can build a more lasting relationship.

Q:7.As a successful German English translator, what’s your advice to translators who are struggling with their business?

Q: Diversify your offerings – don’t forget that you are also a writer, so consider what else you can offer in your native language. Texting services? Editing? Proofreading? For example, I also provide regular texting services for an industrial communications agency, writing newsletters and marketing texts.

Widen your reach and travel paths less followed. For example, online translator communities are a great source of information about the business in general, but it’s hard to stand out from the crowd when it comes to finding clients. So look local, advertise in local media (e.g. Craig’s List for your area). Remember – think from the viewpoint of the person who needs a translation. Where would they, outsiders to the profession, think of looking for a translator?

Specialise in a particular area – Besides being a German English translator, I also love art and have carved a niche for myself in 19th century paintings and modern art.

Meet up with translators working local to you (they can pass work on when they have too much to do), and stay involved with professional organisations such as your local Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce here in Vienna runs quarterly workshops, and even if they struggle to come up with new topics each time, it is a good opportunity to meet your fellow translators. ( Read part 1 of this interview here - German to English translator)

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