Marketing tips for translators - podcast

Welcome to Marketing Tips for Translators - the podcast with marketing and business tips for freelance translators and interpreters all over the world. Today we will be looking again at tools. We’ve previously discussed IntelliWebSearch and Lilt on the podcast, and today I have the honor of chatting with Ola Persson, founder of online dictionary tool WordFinder. Important things covered in this episode: * WordFinder Unlimited – Spotify for Dictionaries * Increasing productivity/efficiency and enhancing your daily life * How WordFinder works and where you can use it * Supported languages * Adding your own dictionaries Useful links mentioned in this episode: * WordFinder * WordFinder Unlimited * WordFinder Dictionaries * WordFinder webinar, December 14th I’ve been using WordFinder myself for over 8 years now and I love it - although I’ve discovered I haven’t been taking advantage of everything it has to offer, like uploading my own dictionaries! Are there any other listeners out there using WordFinder? Please let us know in the comments. If you haven’t used it, I would encourage you to try it out for free for 30 days. Have a great week and I’ll see you in the next episode!   Ola Persson graduated from the University of Växjö, Sweden, with a degree in Marketing in 1987. During his initial work in a software company, he developed his language technology skills and formed his own company, WordFinder Software, in 1990. The main product, WordFinder, is a dictionary tool that complements other CAT tools. Today, WordFinder is the market leader in Scandinavia and customers range from private users to the largest Scandinavian multinational companies. A special thanks to Catherine Metcalfe for editing the show notes. This podcast is sponsored by: SDL Trados Studio 2017 is here – designed to make the difference. The latest version of the world’s #1 translation environment includes AdaptiveMT, a self-learning machine translation engine which adapts to a translator’s style, content and terminology and upLIFT technology, which introduces matching based on fragments, meaning translators can get more matches from their translation memory than ever before. Find out what’s new in SDL Trados Studio 2017 at www.translationzone.com.

  This is another solo-episode where I am answering your questions. I have received questions on how to write a good CV or personal profile, and how to write a good cover letter or email. If you are struggling to win new business from translation agencies you should review your CV. This is the first contact a prospect has with you and it needs to convince people to consider you. Not only that, it needs to stand out among hundreds of other CVs that project managers receive each day. A resume is usually accompanied by a cover letter or email. Here I am also covering some tips on what to include and not include in this first written communication. Useful things mentioned in this episode: * Steps for creating your CV/resume * Things to always include in your CV/resume * The purpose of a translator CV/resume * What to include in your cover letter/email * What NOT to include in cover letters/emails Useful links related to this episode: * Resume/CV writing tips for freelance translators – when to use a resume/CV or what we can use instead * Episode 002 – CV’s for translators – interview with Marta Stelmaszak * Episode 016 – Avoiding CV scams as a freelance translator – Interview with Irene Elmerot * Episode 74: Effective cover letters and email communications for translators – Interview with Anastasia Kozhukhova The most important tip when you are applying to translation companies is to not send out mass emails using a database. Take the time to research the company, use their preferred application method to increase the chances of your email actually getting read. The purpose of the email is to briefly present who you are and what you can do. It should be a compelling introduction that gets them to open up the PDF, or click on your LinkedIn profile or website link. Remember, you only have a few seconds to win their attention, so use them wisely. This podcast is sponsored by: Wordfinder.com – The Words you want, anytime. Go to Wordfinder.com for a free 30 day trial! SDL Trados Studio 2017 is here – designed to make the difference. The latest version of the world’s #1 translation environment includes AdaptiveMT, a self-learning machine translation engine which adapts to a translator’s style, content and terminology and upLIFT technology, which introduces matching based on fragments, meaning translators can get more matches from their translation memory than ever before. Find out what’s new in SDL Trados Studio 2017 at www.translationzone.com.    

In this episode I discuss how to use public speaking in our freelance business. As a member of Toastmasters, I know how important it is to be a good public speaker in many situations, and I am constantly working on it. In this episode I interview a conference interpreter, speaker, writer and researcher from the UK. He is talking about how we can use public speaking in our business. Important things covered in this episode * How to prepare, rehearse and present talks * The 4 C’s of public speaking * What to think of when presenting our services to a potential client * How to prepare a 10 minute speech to our prospective clients * How to create a connection with prospects Important links mentioned in this episode: * Jonathan Downie’s website * Troublesome Terps podcast and also available here * Successful Interpreter – Adding Value and Delivering Excellence * Jonathan Downie on Twitter * Jonathan’s posts on LinkedIn * MavSocial Being comfortable speaking to our clients and the public gives a professional impression. This can help us market our services more efficiently. The same tips as in public speaking are also valid for marketing; know your audience, know your material, practice, gain experience and focus on the message. Don’t forget to take a minute to leave us a tip by entering a short sentence review on iTunes or Stitcher. Thank you so much for listening. I hope you found it valuable.     Jonathan Downie is a conference interpreter, speaker, writer, and researcher based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He interprets in both directions between French and English at meetings ranging from product launches to board meetings and recently completed a PhD on expectations of interpreters in churches. His first book, Being a Successful Interpreter: Adding Value and Delivering Excellence is due out in mid-May and is available from all good bookstores and direct from Routledge.   A special thanks to Catherine Metcalfe for editing the show notes. This podcast is sponsored by:  Wordfinder.com – The Words you want, anytime. Go to Wordfinder.com for a free 30 day trial! SDL Trados Studio 2017 is here – designed to make the difference. The latest version of the world’s #1 translation environment includes AdaptiveMT, a self-learning machine translation engine which adapts to a translator’s style, content and terminology and upLIFT technology, which introduces matching based on fragments, meaning translators can get more matches from their translation memory than ever before. Find out what’s new in SDL Trados Studio 2017 at www.translationzone.com.

I have received many questions for the Ask-Me-Anything-episodes, and the majority of them have been about finding clients. In this episode I start answering some of these questions. It would be nice to have a magic pill, or a strategy that worked for every situation, but unfortunately that is not the case. You have to adapt to each individual situation and go from there. But, there are some tips that you can use to get going and some of them are covered here. Useful things mentioned in this episode: * Where to find clients – depending on what kind of clients you want * Finding clients abroad * Whether to do voluntary translation or interpretation work * How to get your first clients when you have limited experience * How to find and contact new clients without seeming too obnoxious Useful links related to this episode: * Alessandra Vita’s post - How can freelancers find new clients? * Christian Salajan’s post - 12 tips for getting direct translation clients * Corinne McKay’s post - Finding your first translation clients * Recommended books for translators   Now dear listeners, do you have any other answers or tips on how to find new clients. Please share in the comments below. Freelance translators at every stage in their business can struggle with the question of where to find clients and how to win both their business and their loyalty. I discuss this in great detail in the Marketing Cookbook for Translators. There are many strategies and solutions and I hope you find one that works well for you.  A special thanks to Catherine Metcalfe for editing the show notes. This podcast is sponsored by:  Wordfinder.com – The Words you want, anytime. Go to Wordfinder.com for a free 30 day trial!    SDL Trados Studio 2017 is here – designed to make the difference. The latest version of the world’s #1 translation environment includes AdaptiveMT, a self-learning machine translation engine which adapts to a translator’s style, content and terminology and upLIFT technology, which introduces matching based on fragments, meaning translators can get more matches from their translation memory than ever before. Find out what’s new in SDL Trados Studio 2017 at www.translationzone.com.

Do you have any clients you know really well, that you have met in person? They’re great, aren’t they? You feel you can serve them well, and that you understand them. We’d all like more of these clients. With me today I have Irene Koukia, a translator, trainer and coach who recently spoke on the subject. In today’s episode we discuss how to develop more personal relationship with clients and how to serve them better.   Important things covered in this episode: • Developing a more personal image for your clients • Being more personal in online profiles while remaining professional • Getting to know clients better • Providing added value Useful links mentioned in this episode: • Website: metafrasma.com • ProZ: proz.com/translator/957755 • LinkedIn: gr.linkedin.com/in/ikoukia • TranslatorsCafé: ikoukia.TranslatorsCafe.com • Academia: independent.academia.edu/IKoukia • SlideShare: slideshare.net/IreneKoukia • Simplified Technical English: asd-ste100.org • Metafrasi School of Translator Training: metafrasi.edu.gr/html/home_eng.html • PPT file presented in Stockholm: tinyurl.com/hfstuh3 I know that the clients I develop more personal relationships with and get to meet in person tend to be my favorite clients, and I feel I can serve them better and prioritize them. If you have any tips for creating more personal relationships with clients, please share them in the comments. And if you know of someone who might benefit from the podcast, you will find share buttons under the show notes. Thank you for listening! Irene Koukia is a freelance Translator, Trainer and Business Coach. She worked as an International Travel Consultant for 20 years and used to teach at IEK Naxos in the Hotel F&B Department. She didn’t become a translator until 2008, but she managed to grow her business successfully on her own, implementing managerial and marketing skills acquired in her former role. She obtained a certificate in Translation in 2010 and became a certified Business Coach in 2015. She is currently studying Business Administration at the Hellenic Open University, aiming for an academic career in the future. Today she is making a living as a Freelance Translator & Trainer and she is also a Tutor at the Metafrasi School of Translation and a member of STEMG for Simplified Technical English.   A special thanks to Catherine Metcalfe for editing the show notes. This podcast is sponsored by:  Wordfinder.com – The Words you want, anytime. Go to Wordfinder.com for a free 30 day trial!

Episode 110: Here today, here tomorrow – machine translation and us – Interview with Gwenydd Jones

Episode 109: What makes a professional? – Interview with Alina Cincan

Episode 108 and a half – Questions and Answers – The Complete Marketing Course

Episode 108 – How to Define Our Unique Selling Point

Episode 107: How to build a six-figure translation business by increasing productivity – Interview with Jenae Spry

Episode 106 – Ask Me Anything 2 – About Specialization – when and how

Episode 105: Top ten tips and resources for newer translators – Interview with Jo Rourke

Episode 104 – Ask Me Anything 1 – About Websites and Analytics as Marketing Tools

Episode 103: Essential collaboration for translators – Interview with Allison Wright

Episode 102: The translator and interpreter as an entrepreneur – Interview with Sue Leschen