minimum rate per source word for new freelancers working with 'common' languages Thread poster: Mikaele (X)
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Mikaele (X)
Local time: 10:28
English to French
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Hello,
As a new freelance translator working with languages which are highly in demand, I would have liked to know how much experienced translators like you charged per source word when you started as freelancers. I know the rate per source word depends on the difficulty of the text and the subject matter but I would be much obliged if I could have your opinion on this matter for a text presenting no particular difficulty.
Thank you very much for your help and advice.... See more Hello,
As a new freelance translator working with languages which are highly in demand, I would have liked to know how much experienced translators like you charged per source word when you started as freelancers. I know the rate per source word depends on the difficulty of the text and the subject matter but I would be much obliged if I could have your opinion on this matter for a text presenting no particular difficulty.
Thank you very much for your help and advice.
Regards,
Mikaële ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Researching the market | Oct 2, 2005 |
When I was starting out and didn't have an idea of rates, I contacted several translation agencies and asked them for their rates. I used the information as a guideline for setting my rates. Generally the rates a freelancer charges direct clients would fall in between the rates an agency pays a freelancer and the price an end client pays an agency.
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Kevin Fulton 
United States
Local time: 04:28
German to English
| Don't set rate too low | Oct 2, 2005 |
Although I'm not in a position to tell you what the going rate for your language pair might be, my personal experience has shown that an initial rate with a client tends to become a more or less permanent rate. I've raised my rates over the years by taking better-paying clients and turning down jobs from lower-paying ones. Again, this is my experience, and other people may have had better luck increasing their rates with individual clients.
| | | | | You can make a Schedule of Fees | Oct 2, 2005 |
Once you have decided how much to charge, it is a good idea to make a Schedule of Fees (dating it with the year), and send all the clients a copy for the following year each December. That way, they do not expect to keep on paying the same rate year after year.
Astrid
| | | | | Schedule of fees - what do you include? | Oct 3, 2005 |
Astrid Elke Johnson wrote:
Once you have decided how much to charge, it is a good idea to make a Schedule of Fees (dating it with the year), and send all the clients a copy for the following year each December. That way, they do not expect to keep on paying the same rate year after year.
Astrid
Hi Astrid
That's a really good idea with a schedule of fees!
What would you include in such a schedule of fees? Do you differentiate between faxes, PP files, etc., or on some other basis?
Thanks,
John
| | | | Mikaele (X)
Local time: 10:28
English to French
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TOPIC STARTER
A very warm thank you to all of you for your VERY interesting advice. I'll take all your comments into consideration.
Regards,
Mikaële
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| Minimum rates | Oct 3, 2005 |
mikaele wrote:
The minimum charge is usually what agencies offer you. I put my rates up after 2 years from 0.04euros/source word and my work offers fell dramatically. There are agencies who will pay a living rate, but the majority in Spain and the ones I have seen on proz.com will go to the lowest bidder. You have to have nerve and professionalism to stand by your principles.
As a new freelance translator working with languages which are highly in demand, I would have liked to know how much experienced translators like you charged per source word when you started as freelancers. I know the rate per source word depends on the difficulty of the text and the subject matter but I would be much obliged if I could have your opinion on this matter for a text presenting no particular difficulty.
Thank you very much for your help and advice.
Regards,
Mikaële
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