The pandemic has changed how we do business, and an online presence is more important than ever before. You need to be found where the clients are looking. Today, that means online.

Online marketing for translators is a game-changer for your workflow. Instead of seeking out new clients whenever you are low on projects, online marketing is all about letting clients come to you and wowing them with your online presence. This can help you get a steady stream of work with clients specifically interested in you, so that you can focus on what you do best: translating.

Defining online marketing for translators

Online marketing for translators has several key facets. The first is that your online presence is tailored to your ideal clients. In this sense, it’s necessary to consider what type of client you’re trying to appeal to.

If you have more than one group in mind, you should create separate profile areas – for example, one for video game localization and another for subtitling services. Each of these sections should showcase key information about why you’re the top pick for this client’s translation needs.

Specifically, you may need more ammo than just a profile. For best results, translators need a full-range online presence that includes testimonials, a portfolio, social media channels and a blog. All these aspects work together to create a winning online presence that appeals to clients.

Mastering online marketing for translators

Online marketing for translators doesn’t have to be a time-sucking nightmare. In fact, once you get your online presence well-established, marketing maintenance can be minimal. Here are some first steps for building your online presence:

• Narrow down your ideal client: If you could hand-pick your favorite client, who would it be? Perhaps you want to focus on a niche area of translation, or clients at top-tier companies. Your skills should match this ideal, too. For example, if you want to get work as a subtitle translator, you’ll want to focus on your ideal client (such as Netflix) through your digital presence.
• Build up your online presence on web and social: This means a website, blog and social media (LinkedIn or Twitter, ideally). You don’t have to be on every single social channel, but you should have at least one. Each area of your digital presence should be well-designed and regularly updated.
• Get social proof from past clients: Another key aspect of getting clients into your online marketing machine is to have social proof. Ask for testimonials from your past clients and get their permission to add them to your site.
• Create amazing content: Your online presence shouldn’t be half-baked. Come up with a consistent content schedule for web, blog and social that you can follow. The better your content, the more likely potential clients will stick around to learn more.
• Delight clients at every turn: The best marketing of all is doing great translation work for your clients. However, this just doesn’t mean getting the job done right. Every step in the process – from your first contact all the way to the end of the contract – should demonstrate your professionalism. Delight your clients and you’ll be sure to get more leads.
• Check out analytics and adjust: Online marketing is most successful when it’s adjusted over time. You should be looking at your analytics to find out what blog posts are getting hits, and where your clients are coming from.
• Monitor and maintain marketing as needed: Marketing has to be maintained over time for you to reap the benefits. At least once a month, you should dig into analytics and discover what needs improvement.

Online marketing for translators isn’t rocket science, but it also requires forethought, consistency and a strategy. I don’t live close to any of my clients and have always had to rely on online marketing to get clients, which means most of my direct clients have found me online. That is why I’ve developed an online marketing course for translators. It is a comprehensive, individualized online course with a guest teacher who is an expert on LinkedIn.

Next session of Online Marketing Course for Translators

Next session of Online Marketing for Translators starts May 8th and registration is now open. Learn how to set up your website, LinkedIn and online profiles to attract your ideal clients using content marketing.

I have guided over 250 students through this content in live or online workshops. This is what one of the previous participants said about the course:

“This course covers all the important aspects of inbound marketing and is led by two professionals who have successfully implemented all these techniques. From the first couple of modules, you can start implementing what you learn, and by the end you are well equipped with a clear inbound marketing strategy and will have already seen some results. Excellent course!”

During the course, you’ll create these personalized materials for your business:

• An ideal buyer persona – so you can target your ideal client in all your copy.

• Website content – with SEO optimization!
• Optimized online profiles in directories and on social media
• A killer LinkedIn profile – optimized for success (taught by a guest-teacher)
• A content strategy – find and share valuable content online to attract your ideal clients.
• Analytics and reports to see how you’re doing!

Click here to read more and to sign up:

ONLINE MARKETING FOR TRANSLATORS AND INTERPRETERS

How to set up your website, LinkedIn and online profiles to attract your ideal clients using content marketing