Freelance Italian translation jobs for both one-time and long-term projects can help build experience and earn an income. To ensure you are getting consistent work that pays well, you should build viable, long-lasting relationships with clients. Delivering quality content will ensure you are getting repeat orders and building a positive relationship with them. But, to get more work, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.
Steps to Get the Best Italian Translation Jobs
Let us look at seven steps that you can adopt to change your approach towards getting work:
Begin with a bang: Remember the saying about first impressions about lasting impressions? Whether you are working with an agency or directly with a client, you need to deliver the best possible sample. Consider spending more time and working harder on your first job. Run an accuracy and quality check after the initial translation before submitting the work. Follow that by improving and refining the language until it becomes a compelling read.
The first job will determine your worth as an Italian translators. It will establish your reputation and increase the chances of getting more jobs in the future.
Ask questions about the text: Some freelance translators are hesitant to ask questions for the fear of coming across as unintelligent or uninformed. This is understandable, particularly if they have been issues with unsatisfactory or unhelpful responses. But clients who are focused on quality are always willing to listen to your queries, clear doubts, and provide answers. Quality conscious clients recognize this as a positive trait.
You need to make sure that you have done your research about the query. Explain to the client the steps you have taken to understand the issue. Inappropriate questions are easily spotted by clients and will come across as unprofessional. So do your research before posing a question.
Be good at Formatting: Some translators are exceptional at formatting. But, some translators do not focus on the first look. Their documents look untidy – different fonts or sizes, incoherent layout, and inconsistencies in heading and subheadings. The client will need to spend time to format the content, which will increase their workload.
Clients and agencies may not focus on formatting at the initial point of interaction. But, when the delivery starts, they will appreciate a well-laid out content. You must acknowledge that a well-formatted content is symmetrical and expected.
Connect with your Project Managers: Project managers are actively involved in verifying and hiring English to Italian translators for their projects. So, the age-old truth about networking stands true here also. If a project manager has not given you work for some time, get in touch with them. Let them know your availability. Managers are more comfortable working with translators they have worked with before.
Make it a point to update the managers about your achievements and learnings. It will go a long way in convincing them that you are the right person for a job. Even if you become friends, always keep your interaction professional.
Ask for Feedback: Italian translators looking to improve their skills will always ask for feedback. While most clients know how to critique the work and not the translator, there are a few who may not maintain the difference. It is, therefore, important that you understand the client and the feedback they provide. If no feedback is forthcoming, ask for comments.
Asking for feedback serves to establish your dedication to quality. Negative feedback can help you become better at your job, while a positive one will enhance your confidence.
Point out errors, if any: Most translators are hesitant to point out mistakes in the source text. And this can prove to be a costly mistake. Clients, as well as agencies, are always open to dialogue. Pointing out errors in source content will add to your credibility as translators who are dedicated and quality-conscious.
You can help the correct client flaws, and this value-added service will strengthen the client-vendor relationship. It will also promote the fact that you notice things, and you value correctness.
Own up to your mistakes: While clients are always looking for perfection, everybody understands that mistakes happen. Do not try to shift the blame. Accept your errors, and ask for help to understand them.
How you handle your mistakes is critical to your relationship with the client. Learning from your errors and making sure that these are not repeated will make you a better and busier translator.
The above steps are essential for the success of every translator. Keep in mind, all the work you share is reviewed and verified for consistency and quality. You have to make an effort to get good quality translation jobs by delivering high-quality content. Good quality also ensures you are getting the best possible pay for the job.
