ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Mr. Casper Milquetoast, Freelance Translator, at your service...

Robert Forstag — Mon, 09 May 2022 10:55:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Robert Forstag
Post title: Mr. Casper Milquetoast, Freelance Translator, at your service...

[quote]Michael Newton wrote:

I remember telling one client who asked for lower "pandemic rates" to come back when they were able to afford the regular rates. They continued to give me work. Sometimes a little chutzpah can go a long way. [/quote]

I could not agree more!

The chutzpah of course works better if you have the leverage of knowing that better-paid work is easily available. And yet, even when this is not the case, you ought to bear in mind what constitutes an unacceptable offer under any circumstances.

The problem these days (at least among many freelancers working in the more common language combinations) is that any notion of a professional red line seems to have evaporated. Work for half of my normal rate? No problem. Spend an hour doing an unpaid test? Sure! Payment 90 days after end of month of invoicing? Bring it on! Rush work over the weekend at a rock-bottom rate? Absolutely!!

[Edited at 2022-05-10 01:33 GMT]

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Go even more granular

Dan Lucas — Mon, 09 May 2022 08:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Dan Lucas
Post title: Go even more granular

[quote]Jean Dimitriadis wrote:
So, if I was learning German, I would want to make sure I schedule at least 30 minutes or an hour no matter what, even when a big project lands, thus reducing any feeling of frustration (for having to set the project completely aside).[/quote]
I'm perhaps more sanguine than Baran about downtime. I think I have learned to accept quiet periods as my freelancer's due, and to enjoy them without worrying too much. I can always find something with which to occupy myself when I don't have work on hand.

With regard to the "doing other stuff", I find that an hour is not practical and that even 30 minutes can feel quite intimidating at times, so I have switched to shorter time scales. Every morning I get a reminder saying "Do just 5 minutes on X, no more!". I am finding it much easier, psychologically speaking, to say "Okay, just 5" and to switch to that task than when it was 30 or 40 minutes. And if I end up doing 10 minutes, or 30 minutes or more, that's fine too.

It seems to me that very small increments of effort that maintain forward motion are better than no forward motion for weeks followed by a few big strides, followed by more stasis.

Dan

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | I take offence

The Shredder — Mon, 09 May 2022 07:25:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: I take offence

[quote]Baran Keki wrote:
Anyways, I should probably stop my 'negativity' here in case some people take offense...
[/quote]
What offends me is that someone so obviously intelligent and experienced, and with such exceptional ability in their source language, is in that position. It just shouldn’t be like that.

There really are agencies out there who are loyal and reasonable. Who let you decide deadlines. Even big international agencies.

Although if I took a five-week holiday I would definitely take a laptop…

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | I hear you too

Jean Dimitriadis — Mon, 09 May 2022 03:31:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Jean Dimitriadis
Post title: I hear you too

I hear you too, Baran.

To be sure, this unpredictability adds to the challenge of finding a sustainable work-life balance and dealing with bouts of slackening or upsurge in activity.

I struggle with this too. In a sense, it's an everyday battle. All I am saying is that it does not have to be an uphill one.

On a personal level, I have found that I quickly become miserable if I allow work to interfere with a decent level of daily time outside (instead of staying in my cave), physical activity, healthy nutrition and sleep, so I am mindful to integrate movement and good food/sleep habits no matter what.

Then, there is the notion of prioritization. I might have several personal projects going on, that I can pursue more freely on days with less work, but when work resumes to normal (or high, as is indeed often the case), what works for me is to set one of these as my current "focus project": a project that I want to dedicate some time for day in, day out.

For many such projects, while volume can be adjusted, consistency is really key.

So, if I was learning German, I would want to make sure I schedule at least 30 minutes or an hour no matter what, even when a big project lands, thus reducing any feeling of frustration (for having to set the project completely aside).

Finally, I think negativity does have its place, as dissatisfaction can be a critical driver for change:

To initiate change, one might wish to play with these four variables:
- Increase dissatisfaction with present situation
- Strengthen vision of future situation
- Build a plan to get from the present to the future
- Lower the cost of the plan

[Edited at 2022-05-09 03:38 GMT]

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | I hear you

Baran Keki — Sun, 08 May 2022 18:26:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Baran Keki
Post title: I hear you

[quote]Jean Dimitriadis wrote:

Do you regret turning down these lower paying jobs?

You may always review your approach, but I would not think so...

Some other ideas:

- having a big non urgent project (like a book) to work on whenever you have more time on your hands.

- treating downtime as an occasion to focus on other things: health and fitness, reading, drawing, learning, honing skills, social gatherings, whatever you fancy.

When my plate is full, I often think back at these times I was free to fill as I saw fit. What did I do with them? Where did they go?

We don't always order downtime, but when it comes, instead of over-worrying or getting bored, we might as well enjoy... [/quote]
One of the things I hate about this profession is its 'unpredictability'. You just never seem to know when you're going to be free and for how long. I've been trying to teach myself German for over 3 years now (even attended evening classes in person before covid), but it's always one step forward and two steps back because of this unpredictability. You're completely free for a few days and start cracking books and watching tutorials with all enthusiasm, and then you catch a 6k or 10k project from a good paying client.. German goes on the backburner, with enthusiasm gone, you don't feel like going back to the same lessons again. You could say that I'm not committed enough, but I find it impossible to commit to a personal project like this while working as a freelancer. I really miss the stability and orderliness of my old 9 to 5 in-house job, where I knew the weekends would be completely free and not likely be screwed by an email (even e-mail, as a form of communication, was something alien to me back then) coming from a US agency early Saturday morning (again a good paying client) for a job to be delivered on Monday morning (Monday night, thanks to the time difference).
I remember reading an American translator's post here where he said he went to Europe for holidays for 5 weeks. 5 weeks! How can anyone in this business take 5 weeks off and not lose jobs or even clients as a result? This is something I could never do.
Do I regret turning down lower paying jobs? Not at all. I did exactly as you suggested. Saved up a fair bit and then started working only with good paying clients (I can ill afford to lose those clients, so a 5 week, or even a 2 week holiday is out of the question for me). So I'm not the busiest translator in the world, I sometimes hardly get 2k words in a week (talk about renting a house in Madrid). I take my time, do extensive research, fuss over every word and sentence to deliver a painstakingly crafted end product, but, of course, this doesn't prevent the 'overzealous colleagues' (proofreaders) from butchering my work (that is, replacing every word with its synonym. If you, by chance, used their preferred/favorite terms they would change them with something else just to add more track changes).
Anyways, I should probably stop my 'negativity' here in case some people take offense...

[Edited at 2022-05-08 19:49 GMT]

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Enjoying downtime

Jean Dimitriadis — Sun, 08 May 2022 14:18:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Jean Dimitriadis
Post title: Enjoying downtime

[quote]Baran Keki wrote:

[quote]Jean Dimitriadis wrote:

Yes, but how?

By having a few months or years worth of savings to never put yourself in a situation to become vulnerable to slackening demand.

Again, how? By maintaining a healthy savings rate (difference between income and expenses) in normal times.

And by avoiding debt (but this goes without saying).

[Edited at 2022-05-07 06:42 GMT] [/quote]
But the boredom in between jobs (by turning down those paying less than a certain rate) can be a challenge for those not interested in Linux or cryptocurrencies :) [/quote]

Do you regret turning down these lower paying jobs?

You may always review your approach, but I would not think so...

Some other ideas:

- having a big non urgent project (like a book) to work on whenever you have more time on your hands.

- treating downtime as an occasion to focus on other things: health and fitness, reading, drawing, learning, honing skills, social gatherings, whatever you fancy.

When my plate is full, I often think back at these times I was free to fill as I saw fit. What did I do with them? Where did they go?

We don't always order downtime, but when it comes, instead of over-worrying or getting bored, we might as well enjoy...

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | It's you or them

Dan Lucas — Sun, 08 May 2022 11:16:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Dan Lucas
Post title: It's you or them

[quote]Michael Newton wrote:
I remember telling one client who asked for lower "pandemic rates" to come back when they were able to afford the regular rates. They continued to give me work. Sometimes a little chutzpah can go a long way. [/quote]
Several things come to mind when I hear about clients, often quite large companies, asking freelancers to cut rates "in the short term" due to problems being caused by the financial crisis / the eurozone debt problem / the pandemic / whatever.

(1) That the client would never agree to raise a freelancer's rate temporarily if the situation were reversed.
(2) That this is a naked attempt to persuade freelancers to sacrifice their income so that client staff and management can protect their own margins, income and bonuses.
(3) That many freelancers probably feel they have to go along with it, sadly, and do.
(4) That those rates are unlikely to go back again for all those concerned after the emergency is over.

Dan

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Lower your rates.

Michael Newton — Sun, 08 May 2022 03:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Michael Newton
Post title: Lower your rates.

I remember telling one client who asked for lower "pandemic rates" to come back when they were able to afford the regular rates. They continued to give me work. Sometimes a little chutzpah can go a long way.

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Lower your rate?

Michael Newton — Sun, 08 May 2022 03:18:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Michael Newton
Post title: Lower your rate?

Never. And never ever give in to blackmail and "orphans and widows" sob stories.

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Wise words

Baran Keki — Sat, 07 May 2022 09:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Baran Keki
Post title: Wise words

[quote]Jean Dimitriadis wrote:

Yes, but how?

By having a few months or years worth of savings to never put yourself in a situation to become vulnerable to slackening demand.

Again, how? By maintaining a healthy savings rate (difference between income and expenses) in normal times.

And by avoiding debt (but this goes without saying).

[Edited at 2022-05-07 06:42 GMT] [/quote]
But the boredom in between jobs (by turning down those paying less than a certain rate) can be a challenge for those not interested in Linux or cryptocurrencies :)

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | And by ...

Matthias Brombach — Sat, 07 May 2022 07:52:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Matthias Brombach
Post title: And by ...

[quote]Jean Dimitriadis wrote:

Yes, but how?

By having a few months or years worth of savings to never put yourself in a situation to become vulnerable to slackening demand.

Again, how? By maintaining a healthy savings rate (difference between income and expenses) in normal times.

And by avoiding debt (but this goes without saying).

[Edited at 2022-05-07 06:42 GMT] [/quote]
... being prepared to go back to physical work (and vice versa).

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | No

neilmac — Sat, 07 May 2022 07:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: neilmac
Post title: No

My rates are already low enough to be affordable for my clients and good value for money. If demand slackens off, it gives me time to do other things.

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Cut yourself some slack

Jean Dimitriadis — Sat, 07 May 2022 06:40:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Jean Dimitriadis
Post title: Cut yourself some slack

Yes, but how?

By having a few months or years worth of savings to never put yourself in a situation to become vulnerable to slackening demand.

Again, how? By maintaining a healthy savings rate (difference between income and expenses) in normal times.

And by avoiding debt (but this goes without saying).

[Edited at 2022-05-07 06:42 GMT]

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | No

Gennady Lapardin — Sat, 07 May 2022 00:28:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Gennady Lapardin
Post title: No

imho, there are two heights: H above the floor and H above (or below) sea level )
H (expectation) above the floor never changes

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Ha ha

Tom in London — Fri, 06 May 2022 15:55:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Tom in London
Post title: Ha ha

[quote]Baran Keki wrote:

..... help keep the business and economy alive, help the 'frontline workers', pandemic victims, kids, environment and bollocks of that nature...... [/quote]

Thanks for making me LOL

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Kewl

Tom in London — Fri, 06 May 2022 15:54:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Tom in London
Post title: Kewl

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:

Please write correctly
I do not lower my rates :) [/quote]

Periodz are periods for people who spell cool as kewl. :)

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | This reminds me

Baran Keki — Fri, 06 May 2022 14:48:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Baran Keki
Post title: This reminds me

I remember receiving a 'heartfelt' CEO's message from one of the north European translation agencies with a stellar BB record at the beginning of the pandemic in which he declared that 'owing to unprecedented conditions' they would greatly appreciate our 'collaboration and understanding' for reducing translation/proofreading rates to help keep the business and economy alive, help the 'frontline workers', pandemic victims, kids, environment and bollocks of that nature. I wasn't getting any work from them anyway due to my 'high rates' and my unpopular language pair, but I wonder if those who caved in to their 'request' have ever managed to get back their pre-pandemic rates now that the cases are on the decline...

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | what are periodz?

Angie Garbarino — Fri, 06 May 2022 14:13:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: what are periodz?

Please write correctly
I do not lower my rates :)

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | so what?

Tom in London — Fri, 06 May 2022 14:04:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Tom in London
Post title: so what?

[quote]Robin LEPLUMEY wrote:

[quote]Tom in London wrote:

So my advice would be: if a regular client asks you to lower your rates, just politely say no. Sooner or later they'll be back. [/quote]

Or not. [/quote]

So what? Who wants to reduce their rate to a regular client? Let them go.

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | or not

Robin LEPLUMEY — Fri, 06 May 2022 11:36:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Robin LEPLUMEY
Post title: or not

[quote]Tom in London wrote:

So my advice would be: if a regular client asks you to lower your rates, just politely say no. Sooner or later they'll be back. [/quote]

Or not.

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | No

The Shredder — Fri, 06 May 2022 09:40:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: No

I just raised my rates by 10%.

I have never seen any correlation between demand for my services and the strength of the economy.

[quote]Teresa Borges wrote:
If you lower your rates what will happen when you decide to raise your rates back up when the economic downturn has passed? [/quote]
They will pay more again?

I'm not sure why translation should be the only business in the world where prices can't be raised.

Do you ever check your local garage's labour rates?

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | For 1 client only.

Lieven Malaise — Fri, 06 May 2022 09:30:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Lieven Malaise
Post title: For 1 client only.

In the past I've lowered my rates for one client, after having raised them a few years earlier. At the time the client had warned me that my price increase would probably lead to fewer translation requests, and that turned out to be the case. Well, I didn't mind because there was enough work. However, then came the month of May 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, a very bad month in terms of turnover (-60%), so I decided to lower my rates again for that one client. In hindsight it might not have been necessary because from June 2020 onwards everything was running smoothly again. But I don't regret it because that client has been very active again since then and so helps to ensure that I am basically never without work, be it at a (slightly) lower rate.

But that was an exception and I have absolutely no intention to do it again. You have to be very careful with it because clients are always ready to push you into the corner of low rates, and to keep you there.

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | Absolutely not

Tom in London — Fri, 06 May 2022 08:51:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Tom in London
Post title: Absolutely not

Question "Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?"

Absolutely not. My rate has got nothing to do with market fluctuations. It is based on the type of text and the urgency. If the text is challenging (i.e. interesting for me) I apply my full rate. If it's easy or very repetitive, I might give a discount - even a substantial discount - if the translation isn't required urgently.

[Edited at 2022-05-06 08:53 GMT]

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand? | No

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Fri, 06 May 2022 08:39:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: No

If you lower your rates what will happen when you decide to raise your rates back up when the economic downturn has passed?

Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?

ProZ.com Staff — Fri, 06 May 2022 08:10:05 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you lower your rates during periods of slackening demand?".

This poll was originally submitted by Rita Utt. View the poll results »

[Subject edited by staff or moderator 2022-05-06 16:11 GMT]