Freelancers receive payments from different companies, using different payment systems and many times that can involve different ways of transmitting the money. When you are paid, it is important to receive as much of your money as possible in a timely fashion.
To make sure payouts are meeting your needs, I suggest trying the $100 audit.
The $100 audit : Checking how you get paid
Utilizing freelancers for language tasks can streamline processes and enhance the efficiency of language service companies. However, the conventional method of paying freelancers globally proves to be inefficient due to the complexities of the international banking system, along with the diverse needs of individual language professionals.
Imagine if the time to onboard and pay those same freelancers were eliminated.
The ProZ.com Translation and Interpreting Podcast
Key Insights from 2022
It's been another great year for the podcast, with a wide range of guests and lots of amazing discussions on translation and interpreting. It really has been an honor to host the show, talk to such fantastic guests and interact with our very supportive listeners.
We're growing as well, with streams up 127% and listeners from 77 countries around the world.
Read MorePro Bono Project: one month in
ProZ.com’s Pro Bono Project has completed its first real month in action, and there’s been a LOT of action, especially when it comes to environmental projects.
I thought the easiest way to tie the threads together would be via a monthly newsletter, keeping you updated on the non-profit clients and the translators involved, as well as updating you on other must-know areas of the project.
Good money habits for freelancers
As a freelancer, you know that managing your money can be a tough task. You may not have an employer to help out with benefits like vacation time and health insurance. It's up to you to make sure you're saving enough for retirement and investing in ways that will grow your nest egg over time.
Here are some money habits that can help any freelancer stay financially secure:
Politely asking for invoice payment
I'm sure you've been there: you've finished a project for a client, and they're supposed to pay you the agreed amount. But they haven't paid yet, and now it's been weeks since you sent them your invoice. So what do you do?
You can keep calling or texting them every day asking where the payment is until they pay up. Or, you could be polite and friendly while also making it clear that this isn't acceptable behavior anymore—and how soon would it be possible for them to send over that wire transfer, PayPal, Payoneer, whatever?
First pro bono translation delivered!
Eliminate distractions from your work day
Time is money. If you're like most people, you probably think of this as an excuse to work harder and make more money. The truth is that time really does equal money, but only if you're working efficiently and not wasting your precious hours on distractions or unproductive tasks. The key to doing more with less time isn't just about working harder—it's about working smarter too.
Read MoreProZ.com's Pro Bono Project
All over the world as we speak, good work is being done by volunteers. From aiding refugees to rescuing animals, from teaching underprivileged children to staffing a local charity shop, this quiet work goes on day after day, carried out by unsung heroes. And at times, as in the recent case of Ukraine, we witness mass mobilizations of people power that are truly inspiring.
Read MoreHow to create a great professional profile
As a freelancer looking for opportunities on ProZ.com, your professional profile is your most important tool. Here are some ideas to take your profile from good to great, and attract clients' attention at a higher rate.
The first thing you need to know is that, while many agencies and end clients post public job openings on ProZ.com, the great majority (up to 80%!) of the work volume that flows through the site actually comes from job offers sent privately via profile messages.
Read More3 tips to get the attention of a freelance translator
Do you have an urgent request for translation? Are you screening language professionals for future opportunities?
If so, it is likely you are contacting linguist profiles at ProZ.com. Can your message reach the right translator? Are there secrets to getting their attention? How do you break through the noise?
Read MoreShould you publish rates in your profile?
As a freelancer at ProZ.com, you have the option to include rates. Some do, some do not.
In a previous ProZ.com Facebook group discussion, Andrew Morris suggested that he always preferred not to in the early days when seeking out new clients all the time, because some clients surprise you by offering you more than you’d have naturally stated.
That seems like a simple explanation for one side of the debate.
What are the benefits of working with direct clients?
What are the challenges of working with direct clients?
How freelancers bank without a home
Are you a freelancer constantly on the move? In a world where living as a digital nomad is again an option, it leaves us wondering how to transition from a traditional lifestyle to one unencumbered by physical boundaries.
One of the largest concerns is financing; how do freelancers bank without a home? Let's discuss how freelancers can bank while on the move.
Read More