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Poll: Should beginning translators/interpreters charge lower rates?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
Jeff Whittaker
Jeff Whittaker  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 05:15
Member (2002)
Spanish to English
+ ...
No Oct 4, 2015

They should do simple and short translations until they gain experience.

In other words, it should take years before you earn a full-time income.
 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 06:15
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
I wish they didn't, but let's be realistic! Oct 5, 2015

Of course they have to, they do, and they will keep doing it until they have a decent portfolio to gradually raise their prices.
Why am I saying that? Because all of us have done exactly that when we were novices in the market. Of course there will always be show-offs who will say "I never did. I always charged X or more". And of course there will be those who will believe them.
 
Catherine De Crignis
Catherine De Crignis  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 11:15
Member (2012)
English to French
+ ...
No, they should not Oct 5, 2015

To me undercutting is a definite no-no.

Either beginners are confident they can deliver a professional service (therefore charge whatever rate allows them to live decently - and, as Nikki wrote, being slower is enough of a hindrance already) or they're not. To me there should be no middle ground.

Do beginner GPs charge less? Would you go see one if they did?!

Having said that, I feel that to a certain extent we all remain beginners all along.
For in... See more
To me undercutting is a definite no-no.

Either beginners are confident they can deliver a professional service (therefore charge whatever rate allows them to live decently - and, as Nikki wrote, being slower is enough of a hindrance already) or they're not. To me there should be no middle ground.

Do beginner GPs charge less? Would you go see one if they did?!

Having said that, I feel that to a certain extent we all remain beginners all along.
For instance if I find myself in front of a newish topic that I feel I can handle through appropriate research, I might just charge my normal rate in order to get my foot in the door (although in theory I should charge more for the extra time, but I'll then view the extra time as a business investment).
If the topic is too new or too complex, I'll turn it down and possibly suggest someone else, I if can. ▲ Collapse
 
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Poll: Should beginning translators/interpreters charge lower rates?






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