Poll: Where do you most frequently seek advice on professional matters in relation to being a freelancer? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Where do you most frequently seek advice on professional matters in relation to being a freelancer?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Julian Holmes 
Japan
Local time: 00:46
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
What exactly is "advice on professional matters in relation to being a freelancer?" 
I think there might be issues that all independent or self-employed people collectively face. However, are there such things as "professional matters in relation to being a freelancer?"
I hope this question isn't referring to such life-threatening dilemmas as which version of Trados to buy.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 17:46
Spanish to English
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Julian Holmes wrote: What exactly is "advice on professional matters in relation to being a freelancer?" I think there might be issues that all independent or self-employed people collectively face. However, are there such things as "professional matters in relation to being a freelancer?" I hope this question isn't referring to such life-threatening dilemmas as which version of Trados to buy.
Good point, which in my innocence I hadn't considered. I usually "phone a friend" and ask if they know anything about whatever it is.
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 11:46
English to Spanish
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| An open-ended question deserves... | Jul 28, 2012 |
...an open-ended answer.
Over the course of my career as a professional (I prefer to avoid referring to myself as a freelancer), I have sought advice from different sources. Two accountants, when I started preparing my tax returns; more experienced translators when I started to navigate the ins and outs of this profession in the U.S.; professionals from other disciplines, such as a well-known graphic designer (Ilise Benun), who wrote an excellent article on pricing and negotiation i... See more ...an open-ended answer.
Over the course of my career as a professional (I prefer to avoid referring to myself as a freelancer), I have sought advice from different sources. Two accountants, when I started preparing my tax returns; more experienced translators when I started to navigate the ins and outs of this profession in the U.S.; professionals from other disciplines, such as a well-known graphic designer (Ilise Benun), who wrote an excellent article on pricing and negotiation in the HOW magazine last year.
Whenever I find a particularly valuable piece of advice, I tend to get in touch with the author and thank him/her. It's my 'pay forward' system (among others). ▲ Collapse
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Angus Stewart
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:46
Member (2011)
French to English
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I most often look frequently seek advice on professional matters from professional associations. Curiously, this was not an option.
I also seek advice from online resources and less frequently from family/friends.
| | | | Jenn Mercer
United States
Local time: 11:46
Member (2009)
French to English
| Many answers | Jul 28, 2012 |
I often consult my "colleagues" in "chatrooms and forums" on professional matters. However, I would say that just as often, I will talk to my husband about a dilemma that is troubling me. He is in a different field, but has better knowledge of my career than anyone but myself -- and even then, sometimes it is easier to see the truth fro the outside. As a freelancer, there are some guidelines and best practices, but often the right decision is a matter of self-discover: What am I trying to do? Wh... See more I often consult my "colleagues" in "chatrooms and forums" on professional matters. However, I would say that just as often, I will talk to my husband about a dilemma that is troubling me. He is in a different field, but has better knowledge of my career than anyone but myself -- and even then, sometimes it is easier to see the truth fro the outside. As a freelancer, there are some guidelines and best practices, but often the right decision is a matter of self-discover: What am I trying to do? Where will this choice take my career? How will this choice affect my family? etc.... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 17:46
Member (2006)
German to English
Frequently, and what for.
It all depends on what the subject is.
I have, once in a while, asked good customers of mine for advice on different software programs, but frequently ...
| | | | Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 09:46
English to Spanish
+ ...
In memoriam | Other - None | Jul 28, 2012 |
I ask no one. I work it out myself, and that has always worked.
Why is there no option for "none"?
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| Seek advice on what? | Jul 28, 2012 |
If it is meant translation, then:
Online resources (Proz included)
Paper dictionaries
Colleagues
Trusted friends
My son (lawyer) and daughters (biotechnology, architecture and design)
Terminological sources
Customers
PS. As Julian and others, I wonder what exactly is "advice on professional matters in relation to being a freelancer?"
[Edited at 2012-07-28 17:31 GMT]
[Edited at 2012-07-28 17:32 GMT]
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 11:46
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Some clarification | Jul 28, 2012 |
Unlike previous ambiguous polls, this one points to "advice, professional or otherwise, on matters pertaining to the job of a freelancer, regardless of career."
Put it another way, have you sought (or received) advice from other freelance professionals outside of your profession?
Sometimes, the advice coming from fellow translators may sound trite, redundant or the same ol, same ol stuff. To gain a different perspective, seeking and using advice from freelancers coming ... See more Unlike previous ambiguous polls, this one points to "advice, professional or otherwise, on matters pertaining to the job of a freelancer, regardless of career."
Put it another way, have you sought (or received) advice from other freelance professionals outside of your profession?
Sometimes, the advice coming from fellow translators may sound trite, redundant or the same ol, same ol stuff. To gain a different perspective, seeking and using advice from freelancers coming from other fields is not only interesting but refreshing and extremely useful. ▲ Collapse
| | | | DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
When I cannot decide something or cannot find a quick and definite answer I usually conduct a quick research learning possible incongruities and other moments to consider, having my own subjective opinion based on subjective statements of my peers I try to find out and specify certain points to obtain more accurate info, then I ask a couple of specialists or those who have overcome this or that subject in question...
Therefore, my most frequent sources are specific/theme forums foll... See more When I cannot decide something or cannot find a quick and definite answer I usually conduct a quick research learning possible incongruities and other moments to consider, having my own subjective opinion based on subjective statements of my peers I try to find out and specify certain points to obtain more accurate info, then I ask a couple of specialists or those who have overcome this or that subject in question...
Therefore, my most frequent sources are specific/theme forums followed by second opinion from those who I consider to be specialists. Shortly, it's but a "con-pro" quiz. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 16:46
I am not sure that I actively seek advice, although I do read forum posts where advice is sought by others, and contribute when I feel my contribution may be useful. I find opinions of other ProZ members interesting, and often worth thinking about.
As regards professional matters, my conduct is governed by the same set of ethics now as a freelancer as it was when I was employed by other people/organisations.
If the poll question is referring obliquely to taxation and ot... See more I am not sure that I actively seek advice, although I do read forum posts where advice is sought by others, and contribute when I feel my contribution may be useful. I find opinions of other ProZ members interesting, and often worth thinking about.
As regards professional matters, my conduct is governed by the same set of ethics now as a freelancer as it was when I was employed by other people/organisations.
If the poll question is referring obliquely to taxation and other business matters, well, then, we have government departments who will gladly answer any questions we may have. ▲ Collapse
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