After jotting down a few paragraphs about the advantages of LSPs using the same teams of linguists for specific end-clients last week (I stand by every word I said), I thought I’d share a few words about the benefits, for end-clients, of working directly with freelance linguists. One of the most significant advantages of working with freelance talent directly is the ability to build long-term relationships. This cannot be stressed enough! It allows for better communication and understanding of the client’s specific needs and preferences, resulting in more accurate and personalized translations. A solid relationship and transparent communication can be especially important for businesses operating in highly technical or specialized fields (such as legal or medical), where the client may require a more in-depth understanding of the content, and a higher level of trust. Another advantage that often makes this the best option, is the ability to negotiate directly. Whether about project fees or about deadlines, or any other project-specific requirement, direct negotiations are usually smooth, fast, and transparent. And by cutting out the middleman, clients can save money on agency fees, while linguists can enjoy a better financial reward for their professional efforts. Most importantly, this practice also generally results in higher quality translations. Because you always know who is working on your projects: you are no longer at the mercy of an agency who might farm out your assignment to who’s more available, or who charges less at any given time. Linguists who work directly with end-clients are always more invested in the final product, are able to make a greater effort to absorb the client’s vision, and to take more time to ensure accuracy and consistency throughout the translation. Any potential downsides to consider? Sure. For example, finding a qualified translator who specializes in a specific niche can seem daunting, especially for clients who are unfamiliar with the inner workings of the translation industry. Additionally, working with a single translator may limit the size of the projects that can be completed within certain timeframes, as they may not have the same level of resources or support that a larger translation agency would be able to offer. And the need to translate documents into many different languages simultaneously may also be a point in favor of turning to a translation agency for coordination and project management.
So, where do you go from here? My suggestion would be to reach out to a few potential linguists after exploring their websites and LinkedIn pages. Trust your instincts to weed out unprofessionalism and inexperience. Ask them to perform a sample translation (usually up to 250-300 words, if unpaid); then run the translations they generate through the appropriate contact at your foreign subsidiary to obtain their input regarding terminology, style, and voice. Once you determine the most favorable sample, the translator will be happy to provide you with free, no-obligation estimates for any future projects; they will have a contract to sign, outlining the scope of the assignment, the deadline, the project fee, etc. Any kinks will be ironed out in the course of the first couple of projects, then the magic will happen: once things start working like a well-oiled machine, you and your translators/editors will be able to fully enjoy a very productive and mutually rewarding professional relationship.
You have nothing to lose by trying this out. You have everything to gain.
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