Poll: If I needed more work, I would prefer: Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "If I needed more work, I would prefer:".
View the poll results »
| | | | Thayenga 
Germany
Local time: 02:33
Member (2009)
English to German
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| No preference | Feb 17, 2020 |
Either one serves the purpose.
| | | | | No preference or other (missing) | Feb 17, 2020 |
It’s difficult to say as I don’t need more work. It would be easier to manage if my existing clients would send me a greater volume as I have been working with some of them for a long time, but I do like being challenged from time to time, so…
| | | | | that my existing clients sent me greater volume | Feb 17, 2020 |
I prefer to work with existing clients, as I find the "onboarding" process quite tedious.
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| More volumes from my existing clients | Feb 17, 2020 |
I'm lucky enough to be very busy already with my daily workload, but if I needed more work I would rather have my existing clients send me more volumes. I am happy with the way we work together (friendly contact, correct rates, quick payments, interesting projects...), so why would I change?
| | | | | Existing clients send more volume | Feb 17, 2020 |
is what I voted for, as it can be a nuissance having to get acquainted with a new client's procedures.
It didn't use to be that way, but the last couple of years more and more agencies get their own portals, CATs, invoicing systems and what not, with appertaining instructions, passwords etc. - It gives me a headache.
However, it's also unwise to put all your eggs in one basket. I have experienced more than once that one of my big clients got sold to a bigger organization with... See more is what I voted for, as it can be a nuissance having to get acquainted with a new client's procedures.
It didn't use to be that way, but the last couple of years more and more agencies get their own portals, CATs, invoicing systems and what not, with appertaining instructions, passwords etc. - It gives me a headache.
However, it's also unwise to put all your eggs in one basket. I have experienced more than once that one of my big clients got sold to a bigger organization with their own procedures and unfavorable terms for the translator. ▲ Collapse
| | | | DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
| Unlikely, but | Feb 17, 2020 |
More/harder work is not more money.
So, if I ever needed more [money]--especially after some 3-5-10 years as an established (I) businessman and (II) translator/interpreter, I'd strongly consider either (1) my policy change as a former, or (2) a serious career change as the latter, diversifying the income.
There're millions of native homeless who can speak and write your L2 much better than you and zillions of needy who are just happy with $0.001/word and 'discounts', so what value could you offer now? We have nothing to do with your peculiarities or troubles, so if you can't explain your price, take-or-leave it nicely.
| | | | | Leaning toward no preference | Feb 18, 2020 |
While I love working for my regular clients, I know it's not a good idea to rely on a short list. It's important to have a broad tent. Anything can happen. For example, awhile ago one of my regulars, an international organization, got a new section chief who decided to farm out most of the longer jobs to agencies. Since then, except for one ginormous project, I've been receiving less work. They now tend to send me confidential assignments for which I have a clearance or jobs that draw on my best... See more While I love working for my regular clients, I know it's not a good idea to rely on a short list. It's important to have a broad tent. Anything can happen. For example, awhile ago one of my regulars, an international organization, got a new section chief who decided to farm out most of the longer jobs to agencies. Since then, except for one ginormous project, I've been receiving less work. They now tend to send me confidential assignments for which I have a clearance or jobs that draw on my best strengths, which is how I got the really large gig. This client happens to be the one that gives me the most interesting work, schedules the most relaxed deadlines, and pays the most money by a margin of more than 3 cents a word.
With new clients, the relationship tends to start out with a bargaining phase in which they try to get me down to my lowest rate. If we can get past the negotiations and all the stuff they expect me to sign, if the portal is not too daunting, and if the work is interesting, then I'm happy to add them to my list.
[Edited at 2020-02-18 00:11 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 21:33
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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| No preference | Feb 18, 2020 |
I would love my existing clients to send more work, of course. But since my very best client, who represents 50% of my income, has been systematically finding ways to reduce my rates, I've been back to my marketing and networking activities to get new clients as I used to earlier. The trends of our market practically force us to diversity.
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