ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income? | a waste of time

Gregor Trebec — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:06:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?
Poster: Gregor Trebec
Post title: a waste of time

If a client would pay me 0,05 (or less) and wants me to do a free test, I would strongly consider to quit.

Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income? | Effort for no direct income

Sofia Bengoa — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:48:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?
Poster: Sofia Bengoa
Post title: Effort for no direct income

To me, it depends on the effort and how attractive the offer is.
All options in the poll are true. A quick, cold reflection on effort-money-investment of time-preference for the subject matter gives you the answer.

Having this in mind, may be the first time does not set you off but there may be chances that they call you again or that you gain some advantages in doing it, like the a different software or experience on that sector.

Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income? | Thank you all!

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:27:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: Thank you all!

I must say that your answers helped me understand the question and some of the answers. I fully agree with all of you...

Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income? | Every effort has a return

SEIDOU OUMAROU (M.A) — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:03:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?
Poster: SEIDOU OUMAROU (M.A)
Post title: Every effort has a return

For me, it’s obvious that there are some services that don’t generate direct income (money). However, the return on an effort doesn’t necessarily have to be financial. It can also come in the form of personal growth, experience, knowledge, satisfaction, or even future opportunities. So, in my view, an effort is never truly without a return, even when it doesn’t bring in direct income. We can still talk about the direct value of an effort, even when that value isn’t monetary.

Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income? | It really depends what kind of effort!

Christine Andersen — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?
Poster: Christine Andersen
Post title: It really depends what kind of effort!

Trying to persuade a client's portal to LET ME IN!!!! and submit an invoice - when it takes more than one easy attempt - is a total waste of time. I simply never work for that client again, even after I have found out how to break in (which sooner or later I do).

Answering polls and contributing to this site ... I used to regard it as an investment or something like that, but I am not sure any more.

Answering one-line questions and going the extra mile for the good clients I still have? Absolutely worth it!

Tidying up my desk and desktop, reorganising my workspace ... Probably a good idea, put it on the to-do list :-D :-D :-D

Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income? | Efforts

Lieven Malaise — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:56:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?
Poster: Lieven Malaise
Post title: Efforts

I provide two kinds of effort that don't bring in direct income:
- goodwill effort towards established customers: some extra words here and there, a quick proofreading of a translation converted to PDF.
- free translation tests.

But this is all very limited. My customers rarely ask me to do something for free and the last translation test I took must have been at least 2 years ago. I consider it very important to be paid for my work. Decent customers would never try to exploit you, by the way, so you know what to do with those who do try.

Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income? | Other

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:55:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: Other

If only I understood the answers to this question... According to the Cambridge Dictionary "Effort is the physical or mental energy you use to reach a goal or finish a task". :roll:

Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?

ProZ.com Staff — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:10:04 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How do you view an effort that doesn't bring in direct income?".

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