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4 December, 2017

Why bulk discounts won’t work in the translation industry

Bulk discounts are a powerful way for companies to sell more of their products – often while still maintaining a fair margin. The concept is used in a variety of industries, from bikes to clothing, and from plants to light bulbs. Every now and then clients also pop up in the translation industry demanding that their vendors – translators in particular – apply a volume discount to their translations. However, if there is one concept that is not beneficial and shouldn’t be used in the translation industry, it is that of volume discounts. And here is why.

by Pieter Beens

Are one hundred per cent matches the golden egg?

29 May, 2017

Translation practice

One hundred per cent matches: the golden egg?

The development of CAT tools is one of the most advantageous developments in the translation industry until now. Splitting long texts in sentences improves their readability and efficiency while translating, while the archive of translations in memories offers loads of options for future use and reference. But the mathematical formulas that determine the similarity between two sentences are used more and more as a tool to offer lower prices to clients. Companies focusing on improving their margins or attracting more customers by putting 100% matches beyond their scopes are acting irresponsibly however, and even putting their clients at risk.

by Pieter Beens

Should poor paying translation companies have a second chance?

10 March, 2017

Translation practice

A second chance for defaulters?

Doing business means taking some risks. Although one freelancer might be more likely to take risks and others want to stay on the safe side, every freelance translator will find themselves in a position of financial troubles at least once. Sometimes these troubles are caused by one’s own financial mistakes while in many other instances they result from poor business and bookkeeping practices on the client’s side. Although these practices can have serious personal consequences, they are great moments to learn from. One interesting lesson is that patience sometimes can do more good than ending a customer relationship.

by Pieter Beens

16 September, 2015

Translation practice

The ethics of being an entrepreneur

When it comes to selling our services, most translators call themselve a freelance translator. And so they are: they are translating on a freelance basis, selling their services to clients and enjoying the freedom of choice that a freelancing job brings with it. But they are more: they are in business, acting as an entrepreneur. The real entrepreneurial translator therefore is looking for opportunities in his/her business, for improvements in the way s/he works and – in the end – for a little extra earnings (or for more than a little if that’s possible). Chances enough then, but at this point it turns out that not every freelancer is an entrepreneur.

by Pieter Beens

30 May, 2014

Translation practice

Minimum fees

Translation is not always about big jobs. Sometimes you receive those little jobs that are too small to schedule but too big to squeeze them in easily. Sometimes they are also annoying, not to talk about stressful. Charging those little jobs by your word rate is not affordable often. Who can set up a TM, translate, edit and deliver within a few hours for only € 2? Nobody. That’s why there is the minimum fee. But hey, they help clients too…

by Pieter Beens

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