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Where To Find A Job - Tips For Freelance Translators To Get Clients Fast

One of the biggest questions many beginner freelance translators have is where to find a job, especially in this dismal economy where many people seem to be struggling.

It’s one thing to say there are plenty of opportunities for qualified language experts, it’s quite another when you have to actually identify those opportunities.

Whether you like it or not the reality is that most freelancer translators are hungry for work. That’s why we see ridiculously low offers for professional translation jobs offered to freelance translators.

If you’ve ever tried bidding for the jobs posted on freelance websites or been waiting for your next assignment from an agency, you know what I mean. It’s frustrating when nothing happens and all you can do is wait and wait...

When you have no clue where to find a job to pay the bills, the only solution seems to be dropping your rate and get anything you can. But is it the right solution for you? The answer is a big NO. That’s exactly what you should avoid doing.

Yes it’s true that you need to focus on short-term cash flow when you just started. That is to get and keep clients and find your unique selling proposition so that you can charge more for what you offer.

Here are a few tips on where to find a job fast:

1- Ask your supporters for help

Don’t ever underestimate the power of your existing social network. Many people seem to be so too reliant on the internet these days when it comes to job search. I’m sorry to break this to you, but you are wasting lots of your precious time..

The internet is great, but it’s just a tool. Free online jobs are not as good as they sound. There's no such thing as earning easy money online. Making a decent living is never easy.

The likelihood of getting high-paying clients and decent projects by surfing the internet is almost non-existant. Yet many translators love it because it requires so little work from your part...

But you need to connect with your supporters. Get them motivated to help you. If someone helped you once, they are very likely to help you again.

Do not rely on email alone to stay in touch with your contact list. Phone them, meet them for coffee or lunch and send them a card. Tell them you are looking for translation work. Ask them for ideas where to find a job, beg them to send referrals your way. Trust me – your friends and family are the most valuable resource you can count on.

2- Contact your past clients

Research after research has shown that past clients are more likely to spend money on what you have to offer than new clients.

If you just started a new practice send a business introduction letter to them. Let them know what you are looking for translation work. I personally find it very effective when you ask for advice or ideas in the letter instead of just asking for help finding work bluntly. Most people would love to help.

Make sure you do not appear or sound desperate. Read your letter to someone you trust before you send out. Adjust the tone of your letter. An effective letter should be sincere, truthful and personal.

Don’t have a clue? Read more about how to write an introduction here.

3- Set a plan to contact potential clients on a daily basis

Don’t forget – you shall play the leading role in your job search! Set a goal of contacting 3-5 potential clients every day. This is a very effective strategy I've used to find new clients.

Wonder where to find a job fast - it may be a good idea that you start with your local small businesses. Pay attention to their advertising and marketing campaign, their products and services. There are plenty of clues you can determin if a company may hire a translator like you.

Be prepared. Most businesses will only talk to you if you know what you are talking about. You may even ask your friends if they know anyone in a particular company you can talk to. Better yet, you can ask to be introduced to such a person. That often makes things much easier later on.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t know anyone in a company. If you target the right type of businesses, chances are you’ll have no trouble to learn where to find a job fast..

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