How to Find Freelance Translation Jobs

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When you first start work as a freelance translator, it's hard to know how to find good paying translation jobs. Once you learn how to find translation clients, though, you'll be able to keep the freelance work coming in regularly. Here are some steps you can take to find freelance translations jobs both online and locally.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Brochures on your services

Step1

Apply to translation agencies. While most translators who work with translation agencies are independent contractors and take on additional clients, agencies can still supply supplementary work. To apply to an agency, send a resume and/or brochure on your services. If you're asked to join, you'll probably need to do a trial translation and some basic paperwork.

Step2

Join online translator directories. These websites, also called translation portals, host profiles of freelance translators for clients to browse. At these databases, you can post a profile stating the type of translations you do, your qualifications and experience and set your own rate. Some translator directories also have a section where clients can post translating jobs and a forum for networking and help with work. Most of these directories offer free basic membership and don't take finders fees. Take a good look at the contract before you sign up, though.

Step3

Browse online freelance job boards. There are a number of general freelance job site that also include freelance translation jobs. At many of these sites, clients post job descriptions and take bids from translators. At others, clients post contact information along with the job description so translators can contact them with more detailed replies.

Step4

Network with other translators. Build good connections with other people who translate your language pairs. You can not only share job search tips, but also take each other's overflow work. Don't forget about freelance workers and businesses in complimentary industries, either. Graphic designers, printers, website designers and conference planners all have contact with people who may need translations.

Step5

Get in touch with your target market. Unfortunately, placing newspaper ads and sending out brochures is rarely enough to bring in freelance translation jobs. Translation often requires a fair amount of client education, so try to meet potential clients in person by providing useful talks and workshops. If you provide English/Russian translations on medical subjects, you might give a talk on beliefs about health care in Russian culture. At the end, include information on how translating important handouts and brochures can benefit the attendees' businesses.

Tips & Warnings

If you bid on work at freelance job sites, don't feel obliged to post rock bottom bids just because other translators do. Financially speaking, it may be better for you to leave your time open for a higher paying job that might come along from earlier client-search efforts or to spend your time looking for better jobs.
Beware of translator directories that expect you to pay to join. Before joining a fee-based site, ask around and make sure the amount of jobs available through the site is worth the fee.
Don't skip reading a translator agency contract. Do so and you put yourself at risk for nasty surprises involving lost rights and financial liabilities.