Building up your reputation on Proz.com Thread poster: Guido Lizzi
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Guido Lizzi
Argentina
Local time: 02:40
English to Spanish
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I’m an experienced translator/interpreter (I’ve been doing this for over 14 years now), however, I’m new to Proz.com
I’d like to ask those with more experience on this platform: How do you get your first project? There are links on my profile that are empty (like recommendations, things I’m working on, etc.) because I haven’t done anything here yet. So, how do you go from that stage, to actually starting to build up your clientele?
Thank you all for your rep... See more I’m an experienced translator/interpreter (I’ve been doing this for over 14 years now), however, I’m new to Proz.com
I’d like to ask those with more experience on this platform: How do you get your first project? There are links on my profile that are empty (like recommendations, things I’m working on, etc.) because I haven’t done anything here yet. So, how do you go from that stage, to actually starting to build up your clientele?
Thank you all for your replies in advance. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 23:40
Dutch to English
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| Take the initiative | Sep 3, 2018 |
This may come as a disappointment to you but projects will not be pouring in via proZ. If you apply to job postings, be selective and apply only to those where you can show that you have solid experience in that field. Most importantly, you will need to market yourself outside proZ - there must be many forum posts as well as proZ webinars on that topic. Could you, for example, approach some of those companies, law firms, etc. that you worked for in China? Do you have a profile page in Chinese as... See more This may come as a disappointment to you but projects will not be pouring in via proZ. If you apply to job postings, be selective and apply only to those where you can show that you have solid experience in that field. Most importantly, you will need to market yourself outside proZ - there must be many forum posts as well as proZ webinars on that topic. Could you, for example, approach some of those companies, law firms, etc. that you worked for in China? Do you have a profile page in Chinese as well?
I think your profile contains good information but the presentation could be improved a bit. Look at some other profiles and get some ideas. Keep in mind that prospective clients are not inclined to read a lot, they want the information quickly and concisely. That goes for your resume as well.
Here are some specific suggestions:
- The long list of language variants is distracting. I would leave it blank: if clients want a particular variant, they will ask you.
- I would suggest shortening the list of your specializations to the ones in which you have the most interest and experience.
- Do you have any credentials, degrees, certificates in any of these fields that you can mention?
- In the last part of your profile, I would suggest just mentioning that you traveled and translated widely in China and then listing your specific experience in various fields in point form below - that is what will draw the reader's attention.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me via proz.com
[Edited at 2018-09-03 15:48 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sheila Wilson 
Spain
Local time: 06:40
Member (2007)
English
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| Some thoughts | Sep 3, 2018 |
Guido Lizzi wrote:
I haven’t done anything here yet
You can get recommendations from outside ProZ.com too. They can be worth just as much, even though you worked for them prior to joining. Things you're working on are just that - not necessarily any site link. Etc. This is just a meeting place and transactions always take place outside the site.
There's a whole area of the site for you: the Site Guidance Centre. Some of it is tailored to beginners but some is for all newcomers to the site. There's even a free webinar to help you meet clients.
Some constructive criticism in the hope that you take it that way, to add to Tina's:
- Make sure you give clients a very clear message, and that your profile agrees in every detail with your CV. Your profile is shaping up but your CV desperately needs some work so check out the relevant Wiki Marketing article here. Your CV doesn't actually give your country, your languages (!), your freelance experience...
- In your shoes I'd want to have Chinese > Spanish as my top pair. English > Spanish is an ocean so full of translators that you'll be hard to find under the tons of those willing to accept stupidly low rates. In your top pair you'll stand out easily, although you may not get enough work from it to start with.
- Maybe it's just a coincidence, but do you really specialise in subjects beginning with A, B, or C  ? In rarer pairs specialisation isn't so important; in the FIGS pairs it's absolutely essential.
| | | | Vanda Nissen
Australia
Local time: 15:40
Member (2008)
English to Russian
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| Popular Republic of China? | Sep 3, 2018 |
Hi Guido,
I agree with Tina and Sheila: you need a clear message and some adjustments to your CV. For example, I have no idea what Popular Republic of China means. Another thing, you do not really mention any translation specific job experience.
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Emma Page
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:40
French to English
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| Rethink your approach to Proz? | Sep 4, 2018 |
You certainly do not have to limit yourself to listing feedback, projects etc. from clients acquired here on Proz. Reach out to trusted clients/collaborators and ask them to give you WWA feedback, list ongoing/recent projects regardless of where you acquired the client.
Personally, I think of Proz 90% as a place to get input on business, ethical and technical aspects of the profession via the forums, 10% as a place to look for jobs when things are a little slow. Increase your chanc... See more You certainly do not have to limit yourself to listing feedback, projects etc. from clients acquired here on Proz. Reach out to trusted clients/collaborators and ask them to give you WWA feedback, list ongoing/recent projects regardless of where you acquired the client.
Personally, I think of Proz 90% as a place to get input on business, ethical and technical aspects of the profession via the forums, 10% as a place to look for jobs when things are a little slow. Increase your chances of success by ignoring "cattle calls" ("We are looking to expand our database of translators in XYZ languages...."), bidding as soon as jobs appear, and only bidding for things for which you are eminently qualified, as others have said. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 07:40
French to English
| People's Republic of China | Sep 5, 2018 |
Vanda Nissen wrote:
Hi Guido,
I agree with Tina and Sheila: you need a clear message and some adjustments to your CV. For example, I have no idea what Popular Republic of China means. Another thing, you do not really mention any translation specific job experience.
I think the official translation is "People's Republic of China"!
| | | | | Increasing visibility on ProZ | Sep 5, 2018 |
In my experience, one of the most useful features of ProZ is KudoZ. When you help others, you back up your information with consultable online sources. That enables others to see how you work, what type of sources you consider are valid and reliable. A lot of translation is about research and demonstrating that you can do that effectively is one of the best ways to convince others that you know what you're doing. If you then go ahead and use it in a constructive way but putting together a nice c... See more In my experience, one of the most useful features of ProZ is KudoZ. When you help others, you back up your information with consultable online sources. That enables others to see how you work, what type of sources you consider are valid and reliable. A lot of translation is about research and demonstrating that you can do that effectively is one of the best ways to convince others that you know what you're doing. If you then go ahead and use it in a constructive way but putting together a nice clean sentence, then over time, you might find others contact you. You develop contacts with like-minded linguists. For me, that has been one of the greatest features of ProZ. Try it. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Just a remark | Sep 5, 2018 |
I wonder why each poster has no picture in this thread here. It is the only thread without a picture. Sorry I deviated.
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 06:40
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
Josephine Cassar wrote:
I wonder why each poster has no picture in this thread here. It is the only thread without a picture. Sorry I deviated.
I raised a Support Ticket and was told that it isn't a bug; these particular inclusive style theeads don't display photos, language pairs, etc. I can't imagine why not but didn't have the energy to take it further.
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Vanda Nissen wrote:
I have no idea what Popular Republic of China means.
Something to do with Citizen Smith's tableware?
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