Problems with meeting clients - help needed

felicij wrote:

raise your rates a bit. I mean, no serious outsourcer will hire you for €0.01/word.

Sheila Wilson wrote:

Hello omis1506,

I'm actually surprised you haven't received any response to your job quotes, as there are quite a few agencies posting jobs on the ProZ.com job board who are looking for translators in your rate range. Most of the professional translators here wouldn't touch such work for such low rates. However, your hourly rate is perfectly average, which must mean that you expect to translate very, very fast - over 1,000 wph, in fact. I imagine that's what's putting off these "bottom-feeders". After all, they expect good quality work, with terminology research and self-proofreading thrown in for their couple of cents per word.

I have to say that your profile/CV combination does not inspire confidence, as you're giving a very jumbled message. In addition to the rate per word vs rate per hour conflict, you say you have 5 years of experience and yet you finished high school in 2013. Also, a specialisation of military/defence texts calls for absolutely top credentials - look at it from the point of view of the client and the importance of texts you may have to translate - so it needs to be backed up by something more than an interest, IMHO.

I don't mean to be negative here, I'm just pointing out what potential clients will be able to figure out for themselves. I think you should follow Lucia's excellent advice, and that given by others here, and you should make some of your best (non-confidential) translations visible in the portfolio section of your profile to show people what you can actually do, regardless of your minimal experience and qualifications.

Lucia Leszinsky wrote:

Hello omis1506,

Though quoting on jobs may be an effective strategy to get started, you should also know that, at ProZ.com, the main channel to get jobs are direct searches outsourcers conduct in the directory.

With this in mind, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure potential clients searching the directory for language professionals see you, and that once they see you, that they get interested in what you have to offer. These few things are what, at ProZ.com, are called winning strategies. ProZ.com winning strategies include:

1. Membership, as members are ranked ahead of non-members in the directory of freelancers and interpreters, http://www.proz.com/translator-directory/ , and are then more visible in searches. Visit this page to check your current directory ranking. Also, check the current membership campaign page to learn why there is no better time to upgrade than now: http://www.proz.com/membership/campaign (2013 Mid-year campaign: May 20 - Jun 20).

2. Specialization. Let potential clients know what your fields of expertise are by listing fields in your profile in order --your specialty fields must be ordered accordingly, earning KudoZ points in those fields and in your top language pair, providing details in your "About me", etc. More tips on how to show your specialization are available here.

3. A good profile, as your profile serves as your business card and directory listing, and it is the first impression of you that colleagues and potential clients will have when they find you at ProZ.com and when running web searches.

4. KudoZ PRO points in your language pairs and fields of expertise, as this is how directory search results are ranked among the first group (members) and the second group (non-members). A few minutes of effort, a few times a month, may be all that is needed to boost your position in the freelancer directory.

5. PRO status, as becoming a certified PRO will allow you to network and collaborate in an environment consisting entirely of screened professionals, including companies seeking the services of certified PROs only. (it is extremely important though that all previous strategies are put into use, and that all required information is gathered, before applying for inclusion into the Certified PRO Network).

I invite you to attend one of the free webinars offered by site staff on "Meeting clients at ProZ.com" to learn more:

http://www.proz.com/pages/meeting_clients_webinar

Or else, watch this short video:

http://www.proz.com/videos/tutorials%20on%20proz.com/607

Hope this helps!

Kind regards,

Lucía

Charlotte Farrell wrote:



I agree with felicij - increase your rate to more around the €0.07 mark and you'll appear more professional and therefore attractive. I would also accept esperantisto's kind offer for Browniz so you can get cheaper Proz membership. Having membership helped me get a new repeat client - they actually contacted me rather than me having to contact them.

Another idea could be to post something on the Proz exchange offering to proofread/translate a CV or cover letter for another translator in exchange for them doing the same for you. It helps the community and you can get a positive WWA rating if you do a good job.

Lucia Leszinsky wrote:

5. PRO status, as becoming a certified PRO will allow you to network and collaborate in an environment consisting entirely of screened professionals, including companies seeking the services of certified PROs only. (it is extremely important though that all previous strategies are put into use, and that all required information is gathered, before applying for inclusion into the Certified PRO Network).