Hi translators and interpreters.
There have been significant changes in translation and interpreting in recent years. How are you, as a freelancer, adapting?
What changes? For example:
The question was posed in the ProZ.com forums: What has been your response to changes such as these?
Some of the responses so far...
We would like more input. Reading the responses so far in this thread, several questions come to mind.
End client questions
Are you, like Maxi and DZiW, working more frequently with end clients? If you are, is it because of an intentional effort on your part? Or does it feel like something that is happening to some degree on its own, so to speak (perhaps because end clients are out there searching for freelancers more frequently)? Do you see any changes in the end clients?
"Specialty" and "creativity" questions
Are you, like Andrea, Teresa, N.M. and Silvina, focusing more on work that is specialized or that requires creativity? What strategies are you using to do that? What type of work fits the bill? Do you notice an appreciation on the part of clients of the premium nature of such services? Are LSPs more or less likely than end clients to have such appreciation?
"Productivity" questions
Are you, like Samuel, taking steps to increase your productivity? If so, what steps have been effective? As you have become more productive, have you changed your rates? At the end of the day, do you wind up earning more, the same or less (on an hourly basis, and overall)?
Adopting new technologies
Are you, like Alexander, adopting one or more new technologies into your work? If so, which technologies?
Unaffected segments
Are you among those, like Chris, Henriette and others, who feel that they are not that affected by recent changes in the industry? If so, to what do you attribute that? Do you expect the type of changes mentioned in my initial post to affect you eventually?
Exit planning
In past discussions and surveys on this topic, some freelancers have reported that they are diversifying into other industries. Christine mentions her pension here.
I'd love hear your feedback! Please join the discussion: https://www.proz.com/topic/332155