| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | As a freelancer, how to do you manage when there is no work for 3-4 days? Thread poster: Bala Murugan K
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Bala Murugan K
India
Local time: 15:52
Member (2022)
English to Tamil
+ ...
I love to be a freelancer. Even after 8 years of experience in this field, I get worried when there is no major work for consecutive days. So, how do you manage your leisure days?
| | | | | Enjoy it while you can | Jul 25, 2022 |
Work ebbs and flows. I wouldn't worry until it gets to 3-4 weeks.
| | | | Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 04:22
Dutch to English
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Days with no work can be used for administration, marketing, taking a workshop, or guess what - leisure of course!
| | | | dkfmmuc 
Local time: 12:22
Member (2009)
German to English
+ ...
| Check the bank statements for the trend of the previous year | Jul 26, 2022 |
Bala Murugan K wrote:
I love to be a freelancer. Even after 8 years of experience in this field, I get worried when there is no major work for consecutive days. So, how do you manage your leisure days?
Dear Bala Murugan,
to answer honestly it is essential and mission-critical to check the bank statements or accounting for the previous year. In order to detect or not detect if this is an overall trend of sliding revenue or simply holiday time in the countries of your customers. 🆗
And it is always good to think about diversification or additional services. Maybe it is the perfect time to ask some of the IT/internet or Big Tech companies if there is a supplier qualification, test available?
Best regards
Gerd
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Bala Murugan K
India
Local time: 15:52
Member (2022)
English to Tamil
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
dkfmmuc wrote: Bala Murugan K wrote:
I love to be a freelancer. Even after 8 years of experience in this field, I get worried when there is no major work for consecutive days. So, how do you manage your leisure days? Dear Bala Murugan, to answer honestly it is essential and mission-critical to check the bank statements or accounting for the previous year. In order to detect or not detect if this is an overall trend of sliding revenue or simply holiday time in the countries of your customers. 🆗 And it is always good to think about diversification or additional services. Maybe it is the perfect time to ask some of the IT/internet or Big Tech companies if there is a supplier qualification, test available? Best regards Gerd
Well said. You are absolutely right. I always keep searching for new clients, sampling works and of course take this time to read some books. Checking previous years fund flow possibly can shed a light on this too.
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 12:22
French to English
I would love to launch into a non-translation project, but since I never know how long the lull will last, I'm rather hesitant to do so. So the dog gets treated to longer walks and more playtime in the park, I catch up on bits and bobs, cook more elaborate meals, check up on unpaid bills, go more often to the swimming-pool and when in Paris, I'll visit an exhibition with my artist daughter.
| | | | Bala Murugan K
India
Local time: 15:52
Member (2022)
English to Tamil
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Best time to enjoy the leisurely hood | Jul 26, 2022 |
I think the best time to enjoy leisure is after completing a lengthy, tiresome project. We won't bother about taking days offs, going on trips, and spending unusually.
| | | | | Tidy up and make out invoices | Jul 26, 2022 |
If you have not already done so, make out invoices for work already done.
I normally send mine out at the end of the month, but it is good to have them ready!
I tidy up terminology, clean my workspace, take time off to contact family and friends.
Check for Trados updates or other software updates.
Do some ´professional development´ - I read some of the books I have on my shelves (my specialist subject areas), or find a webinar.
Send a mail to ... See more If you have not already done so, make out invoices for work already done.
I normally send mine out at the end of the month, but it is good to have them ready!
I tidy up terminology, clean my workspace, take time off to contact family and friends.
Check for Trados updates or other software updates.
Do some ´professional development´ - I read some of the books I have on my shelves (my specialist subject areas), or find a webinar.
Send a mail to your favourite clients. I let them know when I have been on holiday, taken a day off for training or anything like that, and, if necessary, remind them when I am back.
Find a positive excuse - ´I have just been reading up on [the client´s business area] and now my expertise is even sharper´.
While you may need to look for new clients, don´t forget to keep existing clients happy once you have found them! To get yourself noticed, it is not always enough simply to deliver work and invoices on time.
Go the extra mile somehow and let them know you are better than average! ▲ Collapse
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| Those days without work | Jul 26, 2022 |
When I have no work i feel really strange. i feel very strange. and honestly, my mood is down
| | | | Bala Murugan K
India
Local time: 15:52
Member (2022)
English to Tamil
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Andreea Popescu wrote: When I have no work i feel really strange. I feel very strange. and honestly, my mood is down
It happens to be due to the uncertain nature of freelancing. If we have one or two clients offering regular work with a minimum income guarantee, our mood won't be down.
| | | | Paul Dixon
Brazil
Local time: 07:22
Portuguese to English
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| Trying to branch out but no money | Jul 30, 2022 |
I have also tried to branch out but most things involve courses at a cost, and I have no money. People have mentioned interpreting and I am booked on a 3-day free course but (as I suspected) this is just an introduction and the main course shall be paid. There is also a Translation Week which is apparently free.
I thought of English Teaching but I need someone to install a microphone and show me how to use Zoom for teaching. I use Zoom to participate in meetings but for teaching use there ... See more I have also tried to branch out but most things involve courses at a cost, and I have no money. People have mentioned interpreting and I am booked on a 3-day free course but (as I suspected) this is just an introduction and the main course shall be paid. There is also a Translation Week which is apparently free.
I thought of English Teaching but I need someone to install a microphone and show me how to use Zoom for teaching. I use Zoom to participate in meetings but for teaching use there are many features like share screen which I would need to learn. Maybe there is a tutorial? I could give in-person lessons but then there is an added cost for books and other materials.
I do get a few jobs, and I even did a book, but all the money goes on bills. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Rohani Ghazali
Malaysia
Local time: 18:22
English to Malay
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SITE LOCALIZER | I do ProZ localization | Jul 30, 2022 |
In order to handle the boredom, I do the ProZ localization. It is now 11k words of good practice (Malay translation). Interesting way of passing time and keeping my boredom at bay. I also send friendly emails to agencies to enquire on new projects and also look up blue board agencies and request to be added to their contract pools and request to be tested. Look up where translators need help on English > English. Not much on Malay requests. Overall keep positive thoughts and continue translating... See more In order to handle the boredom, I do the ProZ localization. It is now 11k words of good practice (Malay translation). Interesting way of passing time and keeping my boredom at bay. I also send friendly emails to agencies to enquire on new projects and also look up blue board agencies and request to be added to their contract pools and request to be tested. Look up where translators need help on English > English. Not much on Malay requests. Overall keep positive thoughts and continue translating. ▲ Collapse
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Kay Denney
France
Local time: 12:22
French to English
Paul Dixon wrote:
I have also tried to branch out but most things involve courses at a cost, and I have no money. People have mentioned interpreting and I am booked on a 3-day free course but (as I suspected) this is just an introduction and the main course shall be paid. There is also a Translation Week which is apparently free.
I thought of English Teaching but I need someone to install a microphone and show me how to use Zoom for teaching. I use Zoom to participate in meetings but for teaching use there are many features like share screen which I would need to learn. Maybe there is a tutorial? I could give in-person lessons but then there is an added cost for books and other materials.
I do get a few jobs, and I even did a book, but all the money goes on bills.
Paul, why not just ask a friend or relative to pretend to be a student while you explore the various zoom options to see how to teach with it?
It is pretty easy. You'll basically need to be able to log in, get your student to log in, speak and listen and show and watch. So you need to know how to manage the sound and vision, and also screen-sharing if you want to share a text.
Then there are options like writing messages, reading student messages and answering them. If you have a group of students, you'll need them to "put their hands up" and click to remove the hands-up icon once you've answered their question.
I know it's easy because I did it myself to hold meetings while we were all locked down in 2020. I didn't like it, it was much more tiring than doing the same meetings in person, but I managed to get it done smoothly with a little bit of help.
Incidentally, I was teaching a course at translation school in 2020 and we used Discord for the virtual lessons because you need a licence with Zoom for lessons lasting longer than 45 min. I had no idea what to do, but since Discord is used by youngsters while gaming, young students all know how it works. A student offered to set everything up for me (because I freaked when she said I'd need a "server", not having any idea what she meant) and she also handled all techie problems for me, pinned important notices like the exam date up at the top of the chat feature, helped students log in when they had problems, told people to mute when they didn't need to speak etc.
I gave her an extra point in her exam because she was so very helpful without me even asking her to deal with most of it.
Anyway, just to say there's no need to be defeatist, you can do it!
| | | | Jocelyne Cuenin
Germany
Local time: 12:22
Member (2012)
German to French
+ ...
| Free training videos | Jul 30, 2022 |
Hello Paul,
Please look for Russell Stannard and his teacher training videos. You'll find everything you need to know about Zoom and so much more.
Paul Dixon wrote:
I thought of English Teaching but I need someone to install a microphone and show me how to use Zoom for teaching. I use Zoom to participate in meetings but for teaching use there are many features like share screen which I would need to learn. Maybe there is a tutorial?
[Edited at 2022-07-30 17:50 GMT]
| | | | Paul Dixon
Brazil
Local time: 07:22
Portuguese to English
+ ...
I forgot to mention that I do have experience in teaching - but this was before the days of Zoom et al. My student base was very interesting and varied, ranging from a product manager at one of Brazil's main food companies to one of Brazil's leading journalists. As a native speaker I like conversation, although grammar is fine with me too. The drawbacks of teaching at schools was low pay and the travel involved. São Paulo is a huge city!
I'll check out Russell Stannard's videos for sure.
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