Help with pricing.
Thread poster: nandovsky
nandovsky
nandovsky
Local time: 07:04
Jun 30, 2012

Hello,

I'm new to this forum , so hello to everyone. I would like some advice. . I normally translate technical documents from Portuguese to English nad have a specific rate that I charge. But, someone asked me for a quote to translate a book of 82,000 pages, also from Portuguese to English. How does pricing for book translation work ? This person has a specific budget and that may complicate matters. Does anyone have any suggestions? IS there a site I can go to in order to chec
... See more
Hello,

I'm new to this forum , so hello to everyone. I would like some advice. . I normally translate technical documents from Portuguese to English nad have a specific rate that I charge. But, someone asked me for a quote to translate a book of 82,000 pages, also from Portuguese to English. How does pricing for book translation work ? This person has a specific budget and that may complicate matters. Does anyone have any suggestions? IS there a site I can go to in order to check this?

Thank you!!

Nanda
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BeaDeer (X)
BeaDeer (X)  Identity Verified
English to Slovenian
+ ...
CEATL survey Jul 1, 2012

Outdated (2008), but perhaps still useful.
http://www.ceatl.eu/current-situation/working-conditions



[Edited at 2012-07-01 06:24 GMT]


 
Barbara Carrara
Barbara Carrara  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 12:04
Member (2008)
English to Italian
+ ...
Define 'pages' Jul 1, 2012

82,000 pages?!
Care to elaborate?
Thanks.


 
LilianNekipelov
LilianNekipelov  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 07:04
Russian to English
+ ...
I think you meant 82, 000 words Jul 1, 2012

Hi, I think you must have meant 82,000 words, which will be approximately 400 pages. This would make more sense at least. You could charge them your regular rate, this is what I do, and give them about 10% discount, since it is the kind of work that will keep you occupied for a while.
I usually charge $0.12-0.15/word. For this kind of volume I would charge them $0.10 ( including the discount).

I don't think any kind of budgets should be allowed, or taken seriously -- this i
... See more
Hi, I think you must have meant 82,000 words, which will be approximately 400 pages. This would make more sense at least. You could charge them your regular rate, this is what I do, and give them about 10% discount, since it is the kind of work that will keep you occupied for a while.
I usually charge $0.12-0.15/word. For this kind of volume I would charge them $0.10 ( including the discount).

I don't think any kind of budgets should be allowed, or taken seriously -- this is just a way to pay as little as possible.

You may also be entitled to royalties, depending on the terms of your translation contract.







[Edited at 2012-07-01 12:34 GMT]

[Edited at 2012-07-01 12:36 GMT]
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Nicole Schnell
Nicole Schnell  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 04:04
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
Why the discount? Jul 1, 2012

LilianBoland wrote:

Hi, I think you must have meant 82,000 words, which will be approximately 400 pages. This would make more sense at least. You could charge them your regular rate, this is what I do, and give them about 10% discount, since it is the kind of work that will keep you occupied for a while.
I usually charge $0.12-0.15/word. For this kind of volume I would charge them $0.10 ( including the discount).


Why should any translator give discounts on large projects? Because he / she is at risk to lose other clients because he / she is not available for months and will be replaced by another translator?

This attitude - this bizarre self-humiliation by giving discounts just for being busy - is undermining our industry in the most destructive manner.


 
LilianNekipelov
LilianNekipelov  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 07:04
Russian to English
+ ...
This was only related to book translations Jul 1, 2012

I usually give people a discount on book translations, because these translations are really fun to do. I would never change my rates; this is, however, what some people looking for book translations would want you to do. You don't have to give any discounts on large volume jobs. Just don't be fooled by the budget thing. If I cannot afford it, I won't buy it.











[Edited at 2012-07-01 19:08 GMT]


 
nandovsky
nandovsky
Local time: 07:04
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you Jul 1, 2012

Hello,

yes. I was wrong. It was around 280 pages, 82,000 words, more or less. Thank you for everyone's help!!!! Book translation is new to me. I work more with document translation , so this is a first for me.

I really appreciate it !!

Nanda


 
Stanislav Pokorny
Stanislav Pokorny  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 12:04
English to Czech
+ ...
Seconded Jul 1, 2012

Nicole Schnell wrote:
Why should any translator give discounts on large projects? Because he / she is at risk to lose other clients because he / she is not available for months and will be replaced by another translator?


I can only second Nicole on this. The "give-us-a-volume-discount" malpractice was introduced into translation by people who think that translation is like selling goods: the more you buy, the less you pay per piece.

Do 80,000 words take me less or the same amount of time as 50,000 words?

[Upraveno: 2012-07-01 18:05 GMT]


 
Wolf Kux
Wolf Kux  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 08:04
Member (2006)
German to Portuguese
+ ...
Remember to ask ... Jul 1, 2012

... an advancement fee in order to start working.

Usually 20% may be a good starting point. If questioned, tell your costumer that such money is to stay calm.

About discounts: I agree not to give any discount.

Price wars has no winners, never.

[Editada em 2012-07-01 18:52 GMT]


 
nandovsky
nandovsky
Local time: 07:04
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you again Jul 1, 2012

Thank you!!

Nanda


 
wonita (X)
wonita (X)
China
Local time: 08:04
Discount, why? Jul 1, 2012

Someone passed away ?

 


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