Apps and Software That Are Worth Your While Investing In

You can never go wrong with technology when using it to fast-track your language business to success. Moreover, many of these apps and software cost next to nothing, which is what makes them so attractive. Today we will outline precisely why and how this is the case.

CRM Software

CRM or Customer Relationship Management software is a handy tool to have if you want to keep your finger on the pulse or rather focus on your customers 24/7. With CRM software, you can get a better grasp of who your customer is and understand how you can help them with your language skills. CRM also allows you to communicate with customers at every step during your collaboration so that you can pinpoint problem areas in the project timeline, for example.

Marketing Apps

Naturally, every business needs a good marketing plan. Otherwise, how will clients know more about the language services you have to offer? Luckily, advertising is far easier these days, thanks to the internet. For example, you can make infographics that combine eye-catching graphics with brief lists of information about your company. Not sure where to start? There are plenty of free tools you can use to help spread the word and grow your customer base, especially if you share your images via social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Time Management Software

Time equals money, which is why you should be on top of what areas of your language business require the most time and which areas require the least. This way, you can better leverage the available time you have in a day so that you can do and achieve more. Selecting a time management tool is a highly personal decision and you must choose the option that is right for you. For some more information on how to reflect on time-management strategies that fit your personality, availability, and reality as a language service provider, check Season 3, Episode 1 of the Translation Confessional podcast, whose title is Knowing Yourself as a Freelancer.

Project Management Software

As a language service provider, it is virtually impossible to keep tabs on every area of your business all the time. Unless you are in charge of a larger operation and have a project manager on call, you will undoubtedly have things slip through the cracks, which can end up being costly at the end of the day―or, worse yet, potentially result in missed deadlines!

This is where project management tools like Trello come into play. It will help you stay on top of urgent to-dos and use color-coding features for better task categorization. Trello is also a nifty tool if you want to stay in touch with your team as needed, especially if you collaborate with other language professionals on multilingual projects.

Now, if you're looking for a project management tool that can help you streamline your projects and manage resources better, then Zoho is the tool for you. With Zoho, you can eliminate unnecessary tasks, delegate tasks to other translators, as well as communicate with your collaborators on an ongoing basis.

Staying on Top of Your Payroll

If you are in charge of a larger language company and have in-house translators who are classified as your employees, you must keep track of payroll. Doing so manually can be a nightmare, so you must implement a payroll software to make sure the entire process goes smoothly. If you are not making use of the latest software in payroll technology, then the good news is that it's never too late to sign up for an affordable plan such as Xero.

Conclusion

As you can see, technology is a must for any business, especially a small to medium language company. All you need to do is identify the areas in which the right technology will make the most difference to save you time and money. Review the areas we discussed in this video and consider implementing some apps and software to help you manage the business side of things, so that you can focus on what you do best: providing language services to your clients.

Reach Your Career High with a Professional Development Plan

In today's competitive job market, it is more important than ever to invest in your professional development. A well-crafted professional development plan can set you apart from the competition and help you achieve your career goals. Not only will a professional development plan give you a roadmap for success, but it will also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.

The process of creating a professional development plan can also be beneficial in itself, as it forces you to take a hard look at your skills and experience. By taking the time to assess your career goals and create a detailed plan, you are increasing your chances of achieving long-term success. Here are some ideas to help you on your professional development journey.

Check Yourself

The first step in creating a professional development plan is to assess your skills and knowledge. This can be done through self-reflection, by talking with family and friends, or by taking an assessment test. Once you have an idea of where you stand professionally, you can begin to set goals.

Grow Your Skills

The second step in creating a professional development plan is to identify any necessary training or continuing education. This may include taking courses at a local college or university, attending workshops or conferences, or completing an online training program. Once you have identified the necessary steps for reaching your goal, you can begin to create a timeline for completing them.

Mind Your Roles

The third step in creating a professional development plan is to adjust your professional roles along the way. As you gain new skills and knowledge, you may find that your current position no longer aligns with your long-term career goals. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to make a change. Sometimes, taking a step back in order to move two steps forward is necessary to reach your goals.

Keep Tabs On Your Progress

Tracking your progress is also crucial. This includes documenting the courses you’ve taken, the workshops you’ve attended, and the skills you’ve acquired. Documentation is important because it not only allows you to track your progress, but it also serves as evidence of your skills and knowledge should you need to provide it in the future.

Redesign Your Resume

Your resume should be updated regularly so that it reflects your most recent skills and experience, including any new expertise acquired through training or continuing education programs. A well-written, concise one-page resume will open doors to new opportunities and help you reach your long-term career goals.

Compile Your CV

In addition to keeping your resume current, you may also want to update your curriculum vitae (CV), which is a long-form resume and includes more details about your professional and academic background. You can compile this information easily by using a CV template. An online guide will walk you through all the steps you need to take in order to complete a professional copy of your CV. Plus, you’ll be able to return to it online whenever you need to update it with new accomplishments.

When Business Ownership Calls

For many people, starting their own business is the ultimate career goal. While it can be a lot of work to get a business off the ground, the rewards can be great. If you want to work under your own company’s name to provide language services, it's important to put together a solid business plan and file all the paperwork required to start operating.

First of all, you'll need to decide on the legal structure of your business. LLCs are commonly used by small businesses because they offer personal liability protection and flexibility when it comes to taxation. If you're serious about starting your own business, taking the time to research all aspects of the process is essential. Then, once your business is up and running, it's important to identify your target market and craft a marketing strategy to reach out to your potential clients.

Conclusion

Developing a professional development plan is an important step in any career journey. By taking the time to assess your skills and set realistic goals, you can create a roadmap for success. Keep your resume and CV up-to-date and explore the opportunity of starting your own business. While it may take some time to achieve your long-term goals, the process of developing a plan can help you stay focused and on track.

Can a Financial Manager Help Your Translation Business?

By Rhianne Jamie

There is an increasing globalization of various industries as more home-grown businesses set up branches in different countries. As a result, translation businesses are in-demand as companies seek to target international audiences through their local languages.

This is why the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the employment of translators is projected to grow by 24% in the next decade. Each year, approximately 10,400 openings for translators are forecasted to open. Most translators are still working on their own and are classified as freelancers but making the jump to becoming business owners has its own advantages too, and is very achievable once you have the right people on your team. As the translation industry grows, so do the companies, and so does the need for good financial management.

Maryville University highlights that financial management is an ever-evolving field that is being updated by new technologies and strategies. Financial managers report on a business’s finances, assess its investments, and help plan for the future. They know how to maximize growth and harness the power of data in analyzing new possibilities for the business. Their expertise in long-term strategizing and agile decision-making capabilities will prove valuable to a translation business wanting to get a better foothold in the growing market.

With this in mind, here are three reasons why you should hire a manager for your translation business:

They prepare comprehensive financial plans

Every business needs to have a comprehensive financial plan that analyzes start-up costs and operating expenses for the first few years. In these early stages, financial managers can forecast future financial performances and create strategies to ensure the translation business doesn’t go under. They can also meet with potential investors, analyze competitor data, and handle initial accounting. For example, in a Time.com article on what financial experts to follow, they highlight how a top business analyst like Jill Schlesinger will be able to break down complex financial ideas into understandable terms that helps clients fix problems immediately when they arise.

Even translators that already own their own business or freelance translators that wish to set up their own company as a sole proprietorship or LLC can reap the benefits from speaking with a financial planner. A good financial manager can create a holistic financial plan, make your translation business transparent, and help keep you focused as your company grows.

They keep you up to date with financial reports

Reports are essential to business operations, especially when shareholders require regular information about the return on their investment. Government entities also need up-to-date financial records to assess and collect the proper taxes and fees. If you are operating abroad then you will have to ensure that you are paying the correct taxes to avoid fines and even being shut down. Financial managers will ensure that the correct taxes are being paid, as well as potentially getting you tax breaks you would have otherwise have missed.

If you are worried about the cost of such a financial advisor, ATB Financial states that freelancers can assist you with your accounting. Freelance financial managers are qualified to review your financial records against the key performance indicators and ensure that your company is meeting all legal requirements. They can also be very cost-effective for smaller companies.

They assess projects and protect investments

Financial managers are experts in creating cost-benefit analyses. This kind of report requires intensive research and helps give you an idea of investors worthy of partnerships. They can also assess the profitability and attractiveness of your projects and can even scale them up to maximize your business potential. By forecasting the likely revenue, you can receive and the costs you can incur, you can make the most informed decisions for your translation business that will set you up for continuous success.

Translation businesses have endless opportunities in the current economy. With industries across various fields taking advantage of translation services, setting yourself up for success is possible with a comprehensive financial plan and an expert financial manager.

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RHIANNE JAMIE is a freelance business consultant and aspiring writer. She helps her clients develop business strategies and streamline workforce management. She enjoys writing helpful articles that can guide her readers to be better entrepreneurs and further their careers to new heights! In her spare time, you can find her in libraries and bookstores scouring for new interesting reads.

How to Name Your Company: Avoid These Frequent Naming Errors

The default identity of your firm, whether you’re a fresh entrepreneur, freelancer, a small business owner, is its brand name. Your name and the impression it makes on customers always come first as your company’s identity.

As the founder of your own business, you can shape your professional destiny and success by picking the perfect brand name. Trust us―there are a lot of new businesses that collapsed because their founders couldn't duplicate the success they had in developing a distinctive service-based company.

This mostly happens to freelancers who’re trying to start their company, and one mistake they often make is to choose bland, generic, or tone-deaf names that end up hindering their business’s growth.  

Just in case you’re thinking of starting your business, but don’t know how to come up with a business name that’d help your brand stand out positively, we’ve prepared this simple guide for you.

Eliminate These Three Major Naming Mistakes at All Costs

1) Names With Negative Foreign Translations

As a service provider, realize that people from all around the world will engage with your business, either through marketing or just by accident. Moreover, if your business’s brand name offends your clients in their native tongue, they may choose to switch to other service providers instead of you.

Customers were quick to ditch brands like Lumia, Nokia's flagship phone because it was a slang word for "prostitute" in Spanish. The same thing happened to Mazda’s Laputa, which also happened to be a Spanish word for "The Whore." 

Just the same way customers from Spanish-speaking countries abandoned these products, they’d dump any product with insulting or offensive names. So, to ensure that the name you pick is not offensive to customers in other countries, be sure to put your language skills to work and conduct thorough linguistic research to verify that customers won’t find it offensive.

Therefore, whether you're a language professional or independent contractor in charge of a small firm or a large organization, think about how people in different regions of the world perceive and interact with your brand name.

2) Complicated Brand Names

Short, uncomplicated names should be the ideal choice for your brand since they are easy to remember and find on the internet. Simple, catchy, and unique company names are more likely to draw customers.

If the name of your business is too difficult, there's always a possibility that you would lose clients to rivals with clear, straightforward, and intriguing names.

Yet sadly, many companies have neglected the value of picking a catchy company name, disregarding the fact that companies like TransPerfect, Text United, Amazon, Apple, and Target have leveraged their powerful brand names to establish themselves in the minds of customers.

Take it from us: customers respond more positively to short, uncomplicated names than long, complicated ones. Because of this, be sure your goal when naming your business is to use a memorable name that people can quickly recall.

3) Names With Negative Meanings

Customers usually express strong opinions while discussing sensitive social problems. So, if your business decides to take a stand against a particular topic, even if it does so in a style that is unconnected to your brand name, you may lose clients because other people who disagree with your social and political stance will be less inclined to hire you.

Names like ‘Typo’ and ‘Yikes,’ two awful names that Colourpop chose for their darkest shade of makeup, and Lime Crime’s ‘China Doll,’ will only draw criticism because they are flawed and demeaning. Even if your goal is to give your brand an edgy tone, avoid names like ‘666 cold preparation,’ ‘Druggie,’ and ‘Pee Cola’ because they’re cringe-worthy and would alienate a good chunk of your target audience.

Likewise, if you’re thinking of creating a small translation company, don't make the mistake of choosing a name that’d polarize your target audience or leave them with an icky feeling. Also, do your best to avoid any politically sensitive issue, or at the very least handle it with the utmost caution; otherwise, your company might end up suffering backlashes like MyPillow, Harry's Razor, and Gillette.

Always Put Your Customers First

One of the most challenging elements of branding is the possibility for errors to swiftly define your whole business in the eyes of potential clients.

Keep in mind that neglecting to address the demands of both the company and its customers is usually the leading cause of terrible brand names. These names end up misrepresenting their branding, irritating customers, and affecting sales. So ensure your business has a distinct brand name that resonates with customers.

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GRANT POLACHEK is the head of branding for Squadhelp.com, 3X Inc 5000 startup and disruptive naming agency. Squadhelp has reviewed more than 1 million names and curated a collection of the best available names on the web today. We are also the world's leading crowdsource naming platform, supporting clients such as Nestle, Dell, Nuskin, and AutoNation. 

Language Professionals Are a Company of One

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexel

On June 24, 2022, I spoke at the 5th International Virtual Conference organized by Linguist Education Online (LEO). This event’s theme was “United We Grow” and I had the opportunity to speak about how us, language professionals, are a company of one. Here are some of the questions asked during the live presentation:

What options do freelancers have when establishing their own business?

It will greatly depend on your location, since the alternatives and processes available to independent contractors may vary at the federal, state, and local levels. In the United States, there are different ways your can start a business to provide professional services, including the following: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and small corporation (S-corp). It is well worth it to look for the assistance of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a legal professional (paralegal or attorney) when making a decision about your ideal legal structure, filing for a fictitious name (also known as DBA, or “doing business as” X company name), and obtaining a Tax Identification Number (TIN) so as to not use your own Social Security Number (SSN) for business purposes. These are the steps you will be taking in order to structure your business correctly, according to your own circumstances and location, and file your taxes both as a company and as an individual. Here are some websites that can help you with additional resources:

• Small Business Administration (SBA)

• SCORE

• Consumer Financial Projection Bureau

• Small Business Majority

• Freelancers Union

How can I pay Social Security as an independent contractor?

It is best to talk to a CPA or financial planner to discuss your options when it comes to planning for your retirement. That includes contributing to the Social Security System throughout your career, investing into a retirement plan, and possibly getting disability insurance in case you are unable to work for a limited period of time. Most importantly, you must also look into health insurance plans available to you as an independent contractor or small business owner, so you can take care of your health as well. If you have your own company and are listed as an employee, it’s also a good idea to look into payroll services that can set you up with all the employee-related taxes and contributions required by law, including payments to Social Security, because these business expenses will greatly help you during tax season.

Should translators and interpreters get a tech certificate to expand their skills set?

While translators and interpreters must keep up with technology in order to do their job effectively, there is no need to study to earn a comprehensive certificate or degree in Information Technology (IT)―or in any specialization, for that matter―unless you would like to check this item off your list of academic and professional accomplishments. A program that specializes in technology or another field will most likely not address the needs of entrepreneurs and independent contractors, which is exactly what you need in order to thrive in your company of one. Instead, here’s a better idea: identify your technology needs and look for solutions that work for you, according to your unique set up. If you’re a translator, you’ll need a CAT tool. If you’re an interpreter, you’ll need invest in a good headset and audio channel device. And, notwithstanding the nature of the language services you provide, you must find a system to organize your projects and/or meetings and keep your accounting records in check. Technology nowadays helps us streamline our work better, so we can be more efficient, thus spending less time performing business tasks and more time doing what we do best: working with languages. If you’re interested in learning more about the subject, check out Tools and Technology in Translation ( class | book | page | channel )

What is the average rate per word or page for translators?

Numbers will greatly vary according to each unique case, both in terms of productivity (words or pages per hour, week, or month) and in terms of income (price per word, page, or hour of work.) How much you’re able to translate in a given period and how much you may charge and, consequently, earn for your work depends on several variables: your language pairs, the services you provide, your specialization, your localization, how many hours you wish to work every day/week, etc. The more you know about yourself as an independent contractor, the easier it will be for you to negotiate prices and schedule your projects according to your own reality. Here are some free resources that may help you with that:

• Knowing Yourself as a Freelancer

• Finding Your Average Output

• Taking Unpaid Time Off

• Why You Must Have a Business Plan

Getting Centered After The Pandemic

I was so organized pre-pandemic… I had the best of both worlds: work and family life. After the lock down began, I lost my way. Because I work for myself, I went into business survivor mode. After all, where else would I go besides my home office? The gym was closed. There were no more afternoon escapes for lunch and a movie. There was this uncertainty in the air: Will clients disappear? When will the next project come in?

We didn't know how long the pandemic would last and the "new normal" seemed to have come to stay. Then I took two weeks off this spring break to enjoy a much-needed vacation, and that's when I realized, “I cannot go back to that crazy routine anymore. I need to find that balance I had before.” But how could I break all the bad habits that became the norm after early 2020?

Well, it turns out I just needed a little push. And, believe me, I thought it wasn't going to work. But after doing this for a few weeks now and creating a new routine, I feel much more in control. I feel CENTERED.

So, if you're having problems as a freelancer trying to go back to being productive and organized AND having a life, or if you never got to enjoy that feeling of being on top of things pre-pandemic, there's actually a place you can go, without leaving your home office, where you can find structure in a very intuitive and pleasant way.

Come get CENTERED with me and kick the pandemic funk off your freelancing life!

We can all meet there and focus together, but apart. Distant, but connected. It's a place where you can sit down, get to work, take breaks, and when you're done with your projects and tasks you get to walk away…

Check out the quick tutorial on the right to find out what worked for me and may work for you, too.

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Join this Centered Group for Language Professionals

How Solopreneurs Can Use Freelancers and Tech to Grow and Support Their Businesses

As a solo business owner, there's often more work to accomplish than you can handle on your own. Luckily, many tools are available to help you with your daily workflow. And thanks to the rise of remote work, it's easy to find freelancers who can help you reach your business goals. Below are a few ways that you can utilize freelancers and intelligent tech tools to grow your business.

Hire Freelancers

While you may not need full-time employees, ATB Financial notes that it can be helpful to hire freelancers to assist with specific projects. For example, you can hire freelancers to help with accounting, graphic design, and cybersecurity. You can also hire virtual assistants to help you with any office-related tasks that need addressing.

As you well know, there are many advantages to freelance workers, and they can also be cost-effective. Freelancers can be based anywhere in the world, which means you can pull from a vast pool of talent. To begin your search, tap into your own network for leads and look for qualified candidates on respected job sites.

Tap Into Your Existing Network

Reach out to your existing network about the help you need to get. ZipRecruiter points out that someone you know may be looking for work or can recommend someone. This is a great way to find freelancers that are qualified and vetted.

Respected Online Job Sites

You'll find many job portals online that have a large roster of freelance workers. Make sure to clearly understand the types of roles you're looking for before you make a post. By doing so, you'll be sure to attract talent that has the relevant skill sets you're missing from your team.

Types of Tasks to Outsource

Administrative roles is one of the best types of jobs to outsource. Doing this will allow you to focus your daily headspace on larger, more complex tasks, such as growing your business and actually doing what you do best―translating and/or interpreting.

Social media management is also another great job to outsource to a freelancer, especially if you can find someone who can not only create content but also develop strategy.

In many industries, it's essential to have an authentic connection with your audience while also maintaining transparency. Although creative content is challenging to automate, you can use various social media solutions to engage, find potential leads, and grow your business.

• Automated Bots: Cut down your response time by using automated bots to help answer the most common questions you may receive from clients visiting your website or Facebook page, for example. Consider this like a virtual assistant helping you manage customer interactions more effectively.

• Creative Solutions. There are a variety of templates and design assets that can help you make social media posts or other content you may need. Look at sites such as Canva to help simplify this process.

• Accounting Solutions. Software such as Quickbooks can help you simplify accounting for tax purposes.

Set Up Your Business Today

Starting a business alone is exciting, but you may need some freelance help. The good news is that, as technology evolves, more artificial intelligence and financial payment solutions are becoming available that improve efficiency and drive growth.

If you're starting your own business, you must file legal paperwork to register your company and make it. For example, in the wake of legislative measures like AB5, it is a good idea to establish a limited liability company (LLC) here in California, as it offers many benefits, including beneficial tax options.

Filing requirements vary from state to state, so be sure to do your research and obtain professional assistance so that all the paperwork you need is completed correctly.

Considering the information we just shared, what steps would you take to help your business grow? Share your experience to tell us about your journey as a solopreneur.

Top Networking Tips That Can Help Freelancers Succeed

It’s not easy to traverse the professional world by yourself and without the support of a company. While freelancing can free you from the shackles of traditional corporate life, you’re left to fend for yourself in a highly-competitive world. I read a post about freelancing on LinkedIn that highlights how independent workers face huge challenges, such as finding clients, coping with periods of no work, effectively managing their time, and bossing themselves around. Failing to overcome these challenges can prevent freelancers from finding professional success.

No one is truly self-sufficient. In order to succeed, freelancers should understand the value of professional networking, so I’d like to list some useful networking tips for freelancers.

1. Build a professional website

The internet allows freelancers to easily advertise themselves and connect with prospective clients. However, due to the rise of internet scams and grifts, clients and customers are extremely cautious about hiring someone they found online. For this reason, you should aim to build your online credibility by cultivating a strong online presence.

One way to do this is by establishing a professional website. I found this post on building your online professional brand on LHH that highlights how a professional website can help you effectively showcase your education and skills, work experience, and technical prowess to prospective clients and employers. When creating your professional website, keep proper internet practices in mind, such as avoiding posting offensive content, prioritizing good taste and common sense over humor, and having enough relevant content. Doing so can increase your trustworthiness as a freelancer.

2. Don’t be afraid to join groups and communities

If you’re just starting out and you find it difficult to obtain clients, it can be extremely helpful to connect with experienced freelancers. Thankfully, you can find a lot of freelancing groups and communities on social media today. Platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook have group features that allow such communities to thrive.

In these groups, you can find answers to common freelancing concerns, such as going after late payments or creating client invoices. You can also get personalized feedback and support from other freelancers, as long as you remain respectful and civil. Furthermore, these groups can also help you with networking, as some clients often infiltrate such online groups to employ freelancer services.

3. Maintain your connections

Freelancers often forget that networking is not just about connecting with collaborators and clients. In order to find further success down the road, freelancers should strive to build meaningful connections and professional relationships. You shouldn’t just connect with a prospective client or collaborator over the internet and keep them in your contacts list until you find yourself in a situation where they can provide value to your business.

To stay on top of your professional connections and make sure that it blossoms into a mutually beneficial business relationship, be sure to use a customer relationship manager, or CRM tool. CRM tools such as Hello Bonsai and Betterlance can help you keep your contacts organized and maintain connections that are instrumental to your freelancing career.

Networking is key to finding career growth and success as a freelancer. So, be sure to follow these tips if you’re a freelancer who struggles with making meaningful connections. To learn how to cope with the different stressors that freelancers may experience, check out a video I made available on "How To Fight Stress As A Freelancer."

Translation Confessional Playlists

If you’re interested in listening to Translation Confessional episodes by topic, click the Spotify playlists below, each one of which brings together several episodes that talk about the same subject. That way, if you’re in the mood to listen to business-oriented episodes, you can go straight to that playlist. If you want to learn more about subtitling, there’s another playlist for that. Technical subjects? No problem, there’s even a playlist about CAT tools. Have fun going through our many episodes in a theme-friendly way and check out the respective YouTube videos. Feel free to keep in touch to share your thoughts on this fascinating line of work we chose as our profession!

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