The client reference list of a freelance translator is very important when it comes to potential clients (direct/companies) or a job application for a new translation agency. It allows you to provide additional proof of your experience and assure a potential client or company/agency of the quality of your work. 每个人都喜欢好的反馈!
为什么?
A reference list is a bonus you might consider including in your application. 记住,每个人都喜欢丰厚的奖金. If a client says they’re satisfied with your work, take the opportunity to ask for a recommendation. Do it quickly after the work is completed and the client has expressed satisfaction. 如果你等得太久, 例如, 几个月或几年后, a client may not remember you and your work performance. 例如:
亲爱的,
Thank you for your good feedback on my translation. I am at your entire disposal for any further translation requests.
在永利登录网址合作之后, I would like to include you in my reference list as someone who has a good knowledge of my skills and abilities in translation [Add language pair].
如果你愿意做我的推荐人, 我会写上你的名字, title, and contact information on my reference list and keep you informed of potential employer contacts.
Please let me know if you are comfortable with this request and if there is any information I can provide related to it.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
亲切的问候,
(你的名字)
If your client’s response is positive, how do you create the reference list and when do you send it?
如何?
如何创建客户参考列表? 就我个人而言, 我选择一个简单的文档, 信的风格, that you can create with Word and then save as a PDF. 它包括什么?? My contact details, the contact details of each client, and above all the language pair(s).
Knowing that sometimes a translator has several niches, I advise you to create several reference lists. A client who is considering your services as a marketing translator isn’t really interested in your experience as a legal translator.
At this point, respecting the time of a potential client or project manager is essential. They will need to have a clear understanding of how you can help them as a translator. So, the goal is to have references from different clients of your niche(s).
当?
Sometimes translation agencies ask you for a reference list when you send your application, so this would be a good time to attach a copy. 就直接客户而言, 最好是在第一次接触之后, 通过电子邮件, if you know the email address of your potential client. 例如: “Please find attached my résumé that provides information about my experience and training. I also included a reference list of my former/actual clients…”
If you’ve made contact via social networks and the client asks you for more information, you can answer: “I would be happy to send you my résumé and a reference list of my former/actual clients…”
制定一个可靠的清单需要时间
Finally, in my opinion, it takes time to build a solid reference list of your clients. Happy clients can help you create this list, but the most important thing to remember is that you must have a reference list of former/actual clients “shaped” for future target clients.
加芙Kouahla specializes in certified translation, localization, and scientific proofreading. She has been a certified bilingual translator (English to French<>Romanian) since 2010. She is registered with the Unions de Recouvrement des Cotisations de Sécurité Sociale et d’Allocations Familiales (France) as a translator-entrepreneur and is a member of the French Society of Translators. The founder of the first localization agency based in Algeria, she is the only French>Romanian translator covering North Africa. Committed to localization, she has been chosen as a localization influencer by Nimdzi. She is also a LocLunch ambassador for Algeria. gabrielakouahla@gkbeyondwords.com
“Business Practices” will alternate in this space with “The Entrepreneurial Linguist.” This column is not intended to constitute legal, 金融, or other business advice. Each individual or company should make its own independent business decisions and consult its own legal, 金融, 或者其他合适的顾问. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of ATA or its 董事会.