In this episode we are talking about the first steps and tools to get started as a freelance translator. I am interviewing a translator, trainer and certified coach, Irene Koukia, who has given several popular webinars on ProZ.com about getting started as a freelance translator. These tips are both for translators who just graduated with a degree in translation, or who are switching to a translation career from a career in another area.

 In this episode we discuss the following:

• What tools to invest in as a new translator
• How much time to set aside for marketing and promotion
• First marketing steps as a new translator
• How to gain experience as a new translator
• How to differentiate your services
• How to set your prices

Useful links mentioned in this episode:

• Irene Koukia’s courses
• Wordfast Anywhere –  https://www.freetm.com
• Wordfast PRO – www.wordfast.net
• Across Personal Edition – www.my-across.net
• OmegaT –  http://www.omegat.org
• Open Language Tools – http://open-language-tools.java.net
• MemSource – http://www.memsource.com
• MemoQ – https://www.memoq.com/en/
• Google Translator Toolkit – https://translate.google.com/toolkit
• MemSource – http://www.memsource.com
• Manager – http://www.manager.io
• Translation Office 3000 –  http://www.to3000.com
• Translators Without Borders: http://translatorswithoutborders.org
• UNV Online Volunteering Service for which you may find more information here: https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en

There were tons of tips and resources mentioned in this episode. I hope you enjoyed it and best of luck with your new career!

Irene Koukia is a freelance translator, outsourcer and business coach. She is also a Trainer and Mentor on Proz.com. She used to be an International Travel Consultant since 1989 working for many international companies as a branch manager. She also used to be a German teacher in her free time. Irene has also taught for two semesters at IEK Naxos in the Hotel F&B Department, providing students with theoretical and practical skills in Tourism. Since September 2008, she changed her career to follow the job she always wanted: Translation. Since Irene had no other relation to Translation business, she managed to grow her business successfully on her own, using and implementing managerial and marketing skills obtained during her former occupation. She also obtained her certificate in Translation in 2010. Currently, she is just finishing her studies to become a certified Business Coach. She is currently studying Business Administration at the Hellenic Open University. After a lot of study and efforts, she is making a living as a Freelance Translator, working with a large number of clients and linguists all over the world. In 2013, Irene also became a Tutor at Metafrasi School of Translation for the language pair Greek ó German and a Seminar Presenter for several other companies on topics related to management, human resources, marketing, etc.

Wordfinder – The Words you want, anytime, anywhere

This episode is sponsored by WordFinder. Find the right terminology faster and easier with WordFinder, on your computer, via a web browser, smartphone or tablet. Get access to over 120 dictionaries in 15 languages and many different subject areas. Read more at wordfinder.com

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