HOW TO FIND TRANSLATION JOBS IN 2024 (Freelance Translator)

Finally the long-awaited update video on my How to Find Translation Jobs series is here. I share my tips how you can kickstart your career as a freelance translator in 2024.
Check out TeamTranslator: www.team-translator.com/
Check out this course for aspiring Freelance Translators: translations.thinkific.com/?r... - Use code FLVPROD for 20 % off!
Disclaimer
Please note that the Auto Translate function by KZbin provides translations of very poor quality and I suggest to only use it very sparingly. I always offer people to subtitle the videos into their native language if they want to build up a portfolio. In that case, drop me a message to:
[e-mail].
Video by Adrian Probst
French subtitles by Zineb Kabbaj
Brazilian Portuguese subtitles by Tunay Moura
Spanish (LATAM) subtitles by Ailin Ponce
Arabic subtitles by Zineb Kabbaj
Feel free to connect on LinkedIn and send me a message:
/ adrianprobst-freelance...
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Check out the Freelanceverse on Spotify/Instagram/Twitter as well and give it a follow :)
Instagram: / freelanceverse
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- Chapters -
0:00 Intro
1:05 Video Structure
1:33 Agency Clients
9:40 Business Clients
16:55 Private Clients
19:24 Outro
#Freelanceverse #Translation #Translator

[@Freelanceverse]

Hi everyone, this video took me very long to make, so I'm very happy it got out on time and I hope you enjoy it! Let me know in the comments where you are in your journey to becoming a translator. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@piedadlorenserrano196]

Thank you very much for this video :)

[@susanwanjiku3631]

And the ones which tell people to pay a small amount are they real?

[@Freelanceverse]

Definitely not! Never pay someone to work for them

[@badraelfekih8270]

The more I watch your videos, the more I fall in love with their content. You are just amazing. I am Mohamad Badreddine El Fekih, a freelance translator, subtitler, and interpreter from Tunisia.

[@Freelanceverse]

Thank you so much for the feedback! :) means a lot!!

[@Pradeep_Choudharykct_]

Can you tell me about something become starting Translater career in German language. I am Goethe student. ☺️🇮🇳💯❣️👍

[@Freelanceverse]

@@Pradeep_Choudharykct_ Hi there, you would probably work with German as a source language then, I would not recommend to work into German if it's not your native language. But you can work as a language specialist from German into your native language

[@razan-xs3qj]

Thank you so much Adrian. I learn a lot from your amazing videos. Keep up the good work. Vielen Dank.

[@jlnino67]

As I transition from my current career, I am excited to embark on a new journey as a freelance translator and interpreter. Your guidance has been instrumental in shaping the foundation for this next chapter. I am deeply grateful for the knowledge and support you have provided.

[@kathrinambrosch588]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge🙏 I'm in my first year as a freelance translator, and I was in the lucky position that I didn’t have to look for clients actively as I got so much work from my old employer (a big translation agency) and from another client, where I was contacted from a former coworker. But this month business is very low, so I'm finally taking a more active approach to come closer to my goals! I really appreciate your effort to share your experience and tips because without help from others, it's easy to feel a bit lost 😅

[@Number77712]

Tremendously helpful, thank you Adrian!

[@Freelanceverse]

Great to hear!

[@taniajurado3583]

Thank you so much for this video, Adrian!

[@Freelanceverse]

💙💙💙

[@lieselottekleinhans8681]

Thank you for this video, Adrian! You gave me some really valuable advice on finding direct business clients. So far, I have mostly worked with agencies but I have experienced a large decrease in the number of jobs they are sending me. For this reason, I am looking for connecting with direct prospects and focusing on gaining direct clients to provide a steady flow of projects/income in the future.

[@user-fd4gp5ez8h]

Thsi is the first time I have seen one of your videos and I found it very helpful - thank you!

[@Freelanceverse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@insideloc4477]

Amazing job, Adrian! You've really packed a ton of useful tips in this video, I will definitely share it in my social media channels!

[@Freelanceverse]

Awesome, thank you so much, Carlos! :)

[@eduardoshitara8028]

Wonderful my friend! you set me on the right path.

[@Freelanceverse]

Rock on!

[@ToxicityOnTheRoads]

Incredibly useful video, thank you!

[@johnsonsamuel7115]

We’re hiring a talented translator - can you take on the challenge?

[@JL-fp1sm]

Very helpful, thanks Adrian!

[@Freelanceverse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@montesierra717]

Hi. Thanks so much for this very informative video.

[@Freelanceverse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-og2cv1tl1i]

It is so helpful, thank you very much

[@Freelanceverse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@m.sirimanas]

Thank you very much, Adrian. This is very helpful. I really appreciate your informative content 👍👌

[@Freelanceverse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Se5D22]

Thank you Adrian!

[@Freelanceverse]

My pleasure!

[@tamirsharawneh9499]

Great video Adrian. For some reason, it made me more motivated to try harder, and I feel that all of the information in the video are really relevant in 2024.

[@Freelanceverse]

Glad to hear, Tamir!! That was the intention :)

[@mm-l6522]

Thank you Adrian! I am always learning new things from you.

[@Freelanceverse]

Happy to hear that!

[@johnsonsamuel7115]

We’re hiring a talented translator - can you take on the challenge?

[@saravictoriazapata8642]

That was great! Thank you so much. I will use your tips they are so inspiring. I was feeling a bit down because it's been 3 weeks since I had my last translation job but I will try and do these tips❤

[@Freelanceverse]

You got this!

[@andreacosta3727]

10:12 Thank you for this part! I've just started as an interpreter with an agency, and I will need the 1 year expecience to focus on the Medical interpreting jobs as a freelancer. I would also like to thank you for your channel, because a year ago I started following your videos and guidance in order to become a freelance translator and ended up finding my profile as an interpreter. Thanks to Anita for the professional and kind responses as well as the valuable tips by email!

[@Freelanceverse]

Thank you so much for the kind comment, Andrea! Very much appreciated :)

[@Wholita28]

Thanks for sharing!

[@johnsonsamuel7115]

We’re hiring a talented translator - can you take on the challenge?

[@JoaoCampos-ui3bm]

Hi Adrian! Thank you for the insightful video. It offered many clues and suggestions on what to do to be successful in this area. I'm a full-time freelance translator with more than 13 years experience and worked mostly with translation agencies. Time to revert that. Thank you. João

[@Freelanceverse]

Hi João, great to hear that the video is still relevant to a seasoned professional like yourself!

[@fractal_gate]

Wow...jam packed full of info. I would give 10 thumbs up if I could.

[@Freelanceverse]

Thank you!!!

[@danijelapehar4174]

Bless you and thanks for the content you put out :).

[@Freelanceverse]

My pleasure!

[@johnsonsamuel7115]

We’re hiring a talented translator - can you take on the challenge?

[@hassanouhssata1459]

I am a University Professor of Translation. I can help you with translation services.

[@Djulah-bu2gv]

Good day, Adrian! Just another thank you for this video! I'm working on partial transition from in-house to freelance, so it's worth knowing what's going on on the other side, and all of your videos are ssoo beneficial. Judging by my current experience with one of rated LSPs, the industry is surviving hard times(( Did you notice it? Are you worried about decline in rates and projects? Any ideas for how long it could be?

[@Mido_Brx]

Hi Adrain, Thanks for the video; it was beneficial . I have been translating different types of videos for the past couple of years, and I used to post them on Instagram and Snapchat. I used to translate English videos for an Arabic audience, and now I am working on finding a way to make an income out of it.

[@danielfernandes2918]

Hi Adrian! Thanks for this great video. I started in the translation career as a trainee in 2006-2008 for a translation agency. Later, in 2010, they hired as a translator as I worked with up to 2013, when I started freelancing. Proz was (still is) important to me because my most important client, an agency, found me there. I should never have left Proz, so I came back to it in 2021 so I could be reachable to these dream agencies. As for business clients, of course, the money would be bigger but I think I'd start to work as an agency myself, because the amount would probably be too high that I'd have to hire other freelancers to work with me. I guess I would have to change my mindset, as you mentioned, be a bit of a businessman.

[@Freelanceverse]

Thanks for the comment, Daniel, super interesting feedback! Have you had success on ProZ since 2021? The platform is definitely not what it used to be. Back in the day you could pretty much kick off a career instantly on ProZ. It has become much more difficult. Yes, I think developing a business mindset is the way to go going forward.

[@danielfernandes2918]

@@Freelanceverse You're welcome! 🙂 I'm not in place to say how Proz has changed since 2013-2014,-2015 when I left it. But I remember I left it because I thought the money I was paying for the membership was not bringing clients to me. Now I think I was using it wrongly, as I was not interacting with the other translators by not answering to questions, not talking to them in the forum, etc. Since 2021, I've been trying to show myself more often and - maybe because of it - I've had some direct contacts (I mean, beyond the Proz mass mailing). I think the main reason may due to how I've been using Proz - the "WIWO: What I'm working on now" is an excellent tool. I mean, I've been adding jobs I worked with, including the respective field tags. This way my project history grows bigger, which make me more visible to clients/agencies when they search for translators who worked in job of a particular field. However, it's important to mention that the process of finding clients is slow, be it in Proz or in LinkedIn. I also work in partnership with a translator who I met in a translation school and another translator who found me via recommendation. What I am trying to say is that - and I think you know it - is that we can't rely on only one platform; we need to rely on many platforms. And whatever platform we chose, finding clients is going to be slow.

[@latradufacture]

Spot on Adrian! Thanks for sharing your tips.

[@Freelanceverse]

Thank you for watching :)

[@Coconauta]

Thank you , Adrian!

[@Freelanceverse]

My pleasure!

[@Aminaumma373]

Hi, thank you for all the information you provide with. It is really helpful. I have a question about specialisation because I have no such, yet. So where am I supposed to start? I have a master degree in translation studies (english-swedish) but no experience and feel like I know nothing. I don’t know where to start….

[@Freelanceverse]

Hi there, happy you enjoyed the episode! :) first of all, don't worry too much about it, just start as a generalist. For many people, me included, specializations find them, rather than them going after the specialization. Secondly, I don't believe you that you don't know anything lol :) think of your interests, your hobbies, what are you reading about, what are you passionate about ... there is always something that you know more about than the average person. Maybe you love cooking, gardening, planes, cars, chemistry, business, coffee... who knows, there are so many things you can become a specialist in. And remember, the more niche you go, the easier it is to become the top translator in that area in your language :)

[@ruvacharmaine3479]

Hi Adrian! Thank you for the insightful video. I am still at the very beginning of my journey. Despite all the effort that I am putting in, I often feel like I am not ready to go out there into the real world. I already have a degree, but I am doing an additional professional development course in interpretation and translation to boost my confidence. I am more confident in my oral interpretation skills for now. What would you recommend as a good starting point for me? I am a native English speaker who is learning Russian.

[@johnsonsamuel7115]

We’re hiring a talented translator - can you take on the challenge?

[@ruvacharmaine3479]

@@johnsonsamuel7115 Hello. I would like to hear more about this opportunity.

[@ruvacharmaine3479]

@@johnsonsamuel7115 Hello. I would like to hear more about the opportunity.

[@Lm-th9bh]

Can you talk about the translation of films and series, please?

[@Freelanceverse]

Sure, added to the list :)

[@giorgia6924]

Hi adrian, thank you for this video. I'm just getting started. But what do you suggest to write to agencies that don't have a "career" page on their websites?

[@johnsonsamuel7115]

We’re hiring a talented translator - can you take on the challenge?

[@0xXMagnusXx0]

One proble, however, is that i dont understand how to use free linkedin. Whenever i find someone, messaging them is locked behind a paywall.

[@Freelanceverse]

You can send them a connection request and add a Note to it.

[@piedadlorenserrano196]

I would like to know what is the function of # on social media, since I don't know very well if that is for researching?

[@Freelanceverse]

Yes, it helps you to look for posts that use the same hashtag. Companies and brands use it for discovery, so my clients would often use the hashtag sportswear and if I then search for it on social media, I find all the relevant posts.

[@danielagrageda5438]

Hi Adrian! Apart from sending a cold email via the contact box on their website, when they do have one, would you say reaching out to the founder of the company via LinkedIn (when they are on there) is a good choice? For instance, I am focusing on reaching out to publishing/editorial boutique companies that specialize in translated works (Spanish > English) Or would you say finding the direct email of the founder/CEO to send them a cold email would be best?

[@Freelanceverse]

Yes definitely, whenever you are able to find a direct contact, I would both apply through the contact form and also send a quick message saying that you applied and would love to hear back from them!

[@danielagrageda5438]

Thank you Adrian!@@Freelanceverse

[@aladdinabdelrahem6163]

Hello every one . I'm trying to get to work this kind of business/job . But don't know what tools should i use or learn if there is actually specific programs needed . Please help me with information and advises and thank you

[@user-yf9lc4yc3y]

Very nice 😊😅

[@Freelanceverse]

Thank you so much 😀

[@johnsonsamuel7115]

We’re hiring a talented translator - can you take on the challenge?

[@user-yf9lc4yc3y]

Yes

[@farwazeeshanfarwazeeshan2268]

Share link in which I apply job

[@decipheritalian]

Confused. Do you mean big agencies will suffer in the market or just that they will take on relatively fewer freelancers? Where do you talk about that? I would have thought that with language projects increasing in size and complexity, they would consolidate their power (and thus hire proportionally more freelancers). Leaving small agencies and direct freelancers suitable only for small or specialist projects. Thanks.

[@Freelanceverse]

Yes, exactly. I believe that the large LSPs will consolidate their power and will make small agencies redundant unfortunately. And me personally, I don't want to work with big LSPs, so direct client is the way for me :) of course that's all only predictions :)

[@moonthoughts8822]

I joined gengo but there are very very less number of jobs that I get in Dec 2023 only. :(

[@Freelanceverse]

Yes, it's a useless site.

[@farwazeeshanfarwazeeshan2268]

I want work of translator..in Arabic Urdu English french paresion..

[@marthamcroberts4754]

Hi ADRIAN, I studied for translator, but I never worked. Do you have an translators agency. ???? I would like to started to do it. thanks

[@Freelanceverse]

I don't have an agency, no :) but sure, go for it! Follow the steps in this video and the ones from 2021

[@borislav730]

Could you recommend me a freelance translators site that has a modern and user-friendly web design? I have reigistration at ProZ but it looks so old-fashioned and so hard to use basic settings. I would be very thankful if anyone could recommend me a site to start as a freelance translator in general matters, or specifically in politics and international relations.

[@Freelanceverse]

Hi Boris, ProZ does indeed look very old-fashioned. They are working on updating it though, for example the training sites look much better already. The other one is translatorscafe, these are the two main ones, but both look old-fashioned.

[@borislav730]

Thank you for the reply! Could you give me any advice on how to start as a freelance translator. I have always worked for a company and now I want to make translations on my own but it seems hard to make the start with clients and orders... :)@@Freelanceverse

[@ourinsidehealth6556]

Can you suggest where a perfect client for medical interpretation services could possibly exist

[@Freelanceverse]

That's probably an agency client specializing in this field or a private clinic in your country of origin or target country

[@doaaosama6521]

Does it worth to be a Translator or an interpreter in 2024 with AI developments? I am a student and I can't make a decision thinking about another major 😢

[@Freelanceverse]

I think it is worth it :) I wouldn't want to do anything else

[@SelinYilnaz]

Hey can you prepare how to prepare cv and how we can talk in interview please 😇😇😇😇

[@Freelanceverse]

Hi Selin, I have a video on CVs. Interviews I will not make a video about as they don't exist in our industry. You sell services, so there can be business negotiations, but never an interview.

[@ASIP-28627]

Thank you very much brother I am very poor I have many problems with my life mom dad bb etc I will try pray for me please help me if you can

[@Freelanceverse]

Hey there, do you have any education in translation? If so, it's a great job to do remotely and it requires very little money to start.

[@susanwanjiku3631]

The ones wich ask for payment, a they legit?​@@Freelanceverse

[@vettima1035]

One question, do agencies hire remotely?

[@Freelanceverse]

Absolutely!

[@GolnazAbdollahian]

tnx such amazing info Adrian.. im a certified Persian-English interpreter. looking for online interpreting jobs eg: for conference, webinar, seminar, events.. in different fields.. ive got my Ph.D in psycholiguistics..can u plz direct and help me🙏🏽🧡💚💛🌸🌸🌸🙏🏽

[@Freelanceverse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chrisroz4949]

This is an honest question, why would agencies hire a translator if they can preety much translate anything nowadays with google or chat gpt?

[@susanpickford9948]

it's a good question! A lot of content is OK to translate with chatGPT or google, but not anything that is high-stakes in any way. If getting it wrong is liable to hurt you, your brand, or consumers (e.g. land you in legal trouble or cause reputational damage or make someone sick) you're 100% better off using a human who will do a better job and who can take responsibility if anything does go wrong.

[@Freelanceverse]

Because their clients will not be happy with the results they receive. If a company invests in their localization to be done by an agency, they expect very high quality results. Google Translate they could just do themselves, they wouldn't go to an agency for that. So the agency can't afford to deliver something halfbaked.

[@sirinisrikumari5341]

Send me paud translation jobs I can di english to sinhala

[@user-nq7xc5ek5u]

Hello, unfortunately, I obtained my Master's degree in Translation in 2022, and it's been almost a year since I haven't been able to find any jobs. I'm not sure what the problem is. I've done volunteering and internships, but I've only had the opportunity to work on small projects, some of which were paid. Could I send you my CV for a review or some feedback, please? Thank you

[@Freelanceverse]

Hi there yes absolutely, please check the description of the video and send it to me via LinkedIn or Email

[@user-nq7xc5ek5u]

@@Freelanceverse Hello Andrian,I sent the email with my CV attached yesterday.Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@JohanMuehlenberg]

I cannot verify all information that is given in this video. It says Memsource is for free. It is not. Memsource is taken over by Phrase and will cost at least USD 25 per month. It also says MemoQ cost USD 160 per year. The actual cost is USD 360 per year or double cost for a perpetual license. Thirdly it says Across basic version is for free and the webtool works the best. I tried to download the desktop free basic version of Across which failed to install. On top of that I could not find the corresponding webtool on the webpage of Across although I registered a free account. These issues are too many to make this video make sense to me. If someone can prove me wrong, I will be happy to be corrected.

[@Freelanceverse]

Hi Johan, none of these informations are in this video, are you referring to my CAT tool tier list? In that case, yes, that's an old video and the pricing structures and merger news are certainly not up to date anymore. Thanks for providing the accurate numbers of today.

[@JohanMuehlenberg]

@@Freelanceverse Okay, thank you for your reply. I think I referred to the wrong video and it should be the CAT tool tier list. Personally I miss Swordfish in there. It cost USD 10 per month currently but it does have some interesting features.

[@Freelanceverse]

@JohanMuehlenberg interesting, never heard of that one, I will check it out thanks

[@ramonmartinezcruz3224]

I speak 4 language let's.work together I speak Spanish too

[@nawras5727]

😘❣️

[@Freelanceverse]

💙

[@ThenextItgirl-me4oo]

Bonjour j'aimerais savoir si il faut avoir une entreprise individuelle ou micro entreprise ou avoir un contrat sous une entreprise pour pouvoir travailler dans ce domaine

[@Freelanceverse]

Bonjour, en général, vous devez être enregistré en tant qu'indépendant ou travailleur autonome (le nom diffère selon le lieu). Il y a généralement un montant d'impôt exonéré. Si vous ne gagnez que peu d'argent, l'enregistrement n'est pas nécessaire. Vérifiez les lois dans votre pays :)

[@nuez23747]

Proz costs 100€ a year. I paid it and i dodnt get the money wotk for it

[@Freelanceverse]

Sad to hear!

[@ooievaar6756]

Seen translating is not protected title by degree (like nurses/judges/police officers/teachers) the ones working within it are left to the market. Race to the bottom is the result. With AI reduced to revising texts. AI is owned by who ? Using whose input ? Think it over

[@Freelanceverse]

Correct :)

[@winterlight904]

Liar ! I tried every agency , web, app...and still didn't get a job!

[@Freelanceverse]

Lol how does that make me a liar...

[@mostafafadel2735]

this is probably the most profound video of its topic on the internet , Well done . my greetings 🤍🌹