Poll: In which area have you improved the most in the last 12 months? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "In which area have you improved the most in the last 12 months?".
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
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Reed James
Chile
Local time: 00:01
Member (2005)
Spanish to English
| Marketing skills | Sep 11, 2008 |
I have been reading several great blogs and books about the marketing side of translating. They have given me plenty of ideas.
I still sustain that quality is the best kind of marketing around. However, if no one, or not enough people know about your work as a translator, it is important that they start to.
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| All of the above, but marketing stands out for sure | Sep 11, 2008 |
I would have instinctively replied all of the above - if it was among the choices - but I have to admit that my marketing skills have improved greatly. I've been working hard on that, too, lately.
I must say that everything has improved. Since I am bilingual (please, don't challenge me on that - being bilingual feels like a handicap more than anything else), I can't really say I improved on source/target languag... See more I would have instinctively replied all of the above - if it was among the choices - but I have to admit that my marketing skills have improved greatly. I've been working hard on that, too, lately.
I must say that everything has improved. Since I am bilingual (please, don't challenge me on that - being bilingual feels like a handicap more than anything else), I can't really say I improved on source/target languages. But I did do a lot of reading up on linguistic theory questions, and I did do some exercises to stretch my brain a bit, comparing my own translation to the one that was published. I have noticed that I am more aware now of different factors that come into play when translating and can spot mistakes more easily, and I also have more of an instinct for nicely written sentences.
As for CAT tools, I am already pretty good at using them, but having tried to help my colleagues with technical questions on this site has helped me to improve my skills for sure.
But it is really the marketing that took off. Just yesterday, I was looking for direct clients. It may sound funny, but I am creating a Google map of potential clients in my area. A Google map is really handy for this, because I can plan visits to offices that are in the same neighbourhood. I have updated my potential client contacts as well. My greatest improvement, however, is learning to explain what I do in a way that helps potential clients understand what I can do for them and how that benefits them without exposing them to a long, boring monologue. It may seem unimportant, but when you are face to face with a prospect, being able to sell yourself to them within two minutes, so they want to learn more and give you more time to elaborate, is really decisive. ▲ Collapse
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My biggest improvement has been in time management. About time, too!
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Miranda Joubioux (X) 
Local time: 06:01
French to English
| Other, because all of the above | Sep 11, 2008 |
I can't actually say I've improved in one area only, since I make an effort to improve myself in all of the areas in the poll, all the time.
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| Areas of improvement | Sep 11, 2008 |
i've actually improved in most of them but i couldn't choose more than one. Time management is up there for sure, and I've learned about areas of expertise which were new to me. I've learned I can handle most of them!
Marketing is a priority too. I must find some of those blogs and get ideas. But it's true...you can market yourself all you want, but in the end, it's quality combined with word of mouth that gets you marketed, along with good ideas, confidence etc etc...
... See more i've actually improved in most of them but i couldn't choose more than one. Time management is up there for sure, and I've learned about areas of expertise which were new to me. I've learned I can handle most of them!
Marketing is a priority too. I must find some of those blogs and get ideas. But it's true...you can market yourself all you want, but in the end, it's quality combined with word of mouth that gets you marketed, along with good ideas, confidence etc etc...
same goes for outsourcers too...you can have a great website but if you suck, or don't pay or screw people over...it comes back to you. ▲ Collapse
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Nguyen Dieu
Vietnam
Local time: 11:01
Member (2008)
English to Vietnamese
+ ...
I have improved in different softwares, OmegaT for example!
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| Improved searching skills | Sep 12, 2008 |
KudoZ is great training! I keep learning more about how to judge the reliability of terms found on the Internet - and of course, new ways to find them.
This increases my level of confidence in my work. My doubts keep diminishing.
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I hit "Other" but it could've been "Marketing skills", depends on how you see it.
I improved in how to deal with clients who don't pay. And in not choosing clients who look like they're not going to be good payers. It's a skill I'm not born with unfortunately but I'm trying to improve that sixth sense (doing more research and checking the Blue Board but it is not always representative of the truth).
Em.
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Tim Drayton
Cyprus
Local time: 07:01
Turkish to English
+ ...
Knowledge of subject matter in my specialist areas.
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diana bb
Lithuania
Local time: 07:01
English to Lithuanian
+ ...
Studying and gaining insights into new fields of specialisation, and additional knowledge about copy-editing, which is very important for me.
D.
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