Specializing in one or two services and fields is a good strategy at the beginning. However, if your business has grown and your have managed to maintain a steady workflow, it may be time to explore new opportunities to secure an income in any situation.
Diversification options:
Expand your specialization: expand your market niche by adding fields to your list of specializations, or acquire new skills and start offering new linguistic services. For example, if you already offer translation services, try MT post-editing, subtitling, or transcription. If you are a conference interpreter, you may feel comfortable with phone interpreting too. EDIT YOUR SERVICES » / EDIT YOUR FIELDS »
Explore other industry roles: most freelance language professionals are business owners who have learned to perform different non-linguistic roles to successfully manage their business. You can start offering what you have learned as a service through any of the following services: project management, operations management, vendor management, training, and even consulting. BECOME A TRAINER »
Offer an all-inclusive service package: add extra-linguistic solutions to your service package and attract clients who value personal touch. Extra-linguistic services include content creation, PDF conversion, voice-over, streaming services and DTP. You may even offer these services to colleagues. EDIT SOFTWARE »
Other ways in which you can attract new types of clients:
Expand the list of payment methods you accept »
Add other currencies to your list of currencies accepted »
Team up with colleagues and offer a wide range of services as a group »
Your ProZ.com profile --just as any other online professional profile-- is your public face at ProZ.com and when potential clients find you using Google or other search engines. This online profile must reflect who you are, what distinguishes you from other long-standing professionals, and how experienced you are. How? Using the big three:
Photo: use a professional-looking image of you, and save personal one for social networks. Remember that you create professional profiles for clients, not for family members or friends. If you don't feel comfortable with showing an image of yourself, you can use an image that represents your expertise. EDIT YOUR PHOTO »
Real name: show your real name will make a difference. If you are looking to expand your business, you won't be able to do so unless you generate trust among new potential clients who visit your profile page. Introduce yourself to them just as you would do in person while shaking hands. EDIT YOUR NAME »
Tagline: tell potential clients what makes you different. Is it the years of experience you have? Is it a known certification? Is it a special service that you offer? Avoid clichés such as "professional translator" or "Quality and on-time delivery". These are a given for any language professional. EDIT YOUR TAGLINE »
Other suggestions to upgrade your online presence includes:
Report credentials you have earned and get them verified »
Keep and show a project history »
Promote the work you do through WIWO »
Cross-link your online profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, website) »
When clients search for language professionals, they use search criteria based on project requirements (service needed, languages, fields), but also on service provider qualifications (specialization, credentials, years of experience, etc.). Usually, they get a long list of results.
If the project requires your top services, fields and languages, and you have completed steps 1 and 2, then your profile will be in the list of results. All you need to do to stand out from the rest is show clients how much of an expert you are in what they are looking for. Here are some ideas to help you achieve that:
CPN: apply for inclusion into the Certified PRO Network and be part of a network of screened professionals. A good number of clients prefer hiring providers who have this special difference, providers who have already been reviewed and certified, saving them a step in their hiring process. COMPLETE CPN APPLICATION »
Training: show what you know by offering training to colleagues. You can create your own training course --videos, websinars, self-paced training, one-on-one training-- and offer it online while creating a new line of income for your business. CREATE COURSE »
Payment methods: set-up one or two payment methods to be able to receive payments for the jobs performed. SETUP PROZ*PAY »
Other tips to be ready before accepting projects:
Apply for inclusion into specialized Pools »
Take part in translation contests »
Publish articles of interest in your field »
Diversification for Translators: Developing Multiple Income Streams »
A video by Paul Urwin discussing diversification options.
The role of mentoring in professional development and business promotion! »
Expanding your translation business »
