Scheduling and planning are fundamentally important things to consider if you hope to build an effective freelance career. In any field time management is of the utmost importance. If you are a freelance translator, your productivity – and therefore your livelihood – may depend on it. That’s why strategies for an effective work plan are worth regularly spending some time and energy on. Invest now; reap the rewards with increased productivity and a growing business.

Tips for Freelance Translators

In a recent blog post for The Translator’s Life translator and coach Amy Butcher counselled fellow freelance translators to “combine passive tactics with proactive tactics” when it comes to organizing a work calendar.

It’s a great overarching idea to keep in mind when working on any kind of work schedule or organizational plan. Combining different kinds of strategies offers a certain amount of flexibility. Which is important – because life’s circumstances are in constant flux. If you mess up on a passive task or tactic on any given day, maybe switch to a pro-active one. And vice versa. Find the daily balance of strategies that works for your situation and personality.

Passive Strategies for Effective Freelance Translation Work

Passive tactics are just that, devices or methods that yield results just by being there. Once in place, they don’t require further action on your part – except for sticking to the plan. If you fail to adhere to a passive tactic or set boundary, don’t beat yourself up about it. Just begin again.

Here are a few examples of passive tactics that can help with productivity and organizational efficiency, even when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Set Boundaries

For translators who are busy freelancers, this means keeping regular work hours, even if you work from home. Start and end work at roughly the same time each day. The most productive translators also take regular breaks for lunch, self-care etc. Setting boundaries will help you get in the habit of being productive during defined time periods.

Set Up Time Management Tools

These might include apps that block web surfing, alarms, meeting reminders, or team and project organizers such as Asana or Trello that are especially good for freelance translators. Keep them upgraded and updated.

Active Strategies for Increased Translator Productivity

Proactive tactics include activities designed to actively increase/optimize or streamline your workload. Definitely use these when you’re feeling energetic and to boost your business. But also get into the habit of regularly making time for the following types of activities.

Schedule Regular Outreach and Administrative Tasks Every Day, Week, and Month

These might include social media updating, cold calls, research and reading marketing materials, invoicing. Separate this from regular client work (the actual work of translating). Maybe doing these types of tasks first thing in your workday will ease you into translating with a clear mind. Or maybe it will work better to schedule these activities for the last half of the day when you’re not quite as focused. Whatever works best for you – but be sure to arrange outreach tasks so they are attended to consistently and regularly.

Clean Up Your Work Environment

This can involve everything from clearing your desktop to cleaning your computer screen to achieving inbox zero. Although some translators reputedly thrive on clutter, most will benefit from a tidy work area with all the requisite tools close at hand and ready to go.

Update Your Calendar

Some people do this as a last act of the day, reviewing what’s coming up in the way of deadlines, meetings and other milestones. For others, this is a great ritual to start the workday.

Marketing for Translators is a Continual Process

To keep your translation business thriving, you must continually refine, update, upgrade and improve your strategies for scheduling work and general productivity. Happily, it’s a subject that’s important to many working people (especially freelancers) so there are lots of resources out there.

For more great advice and ideas on how to get value for your translation services, including marketing for translators and staying organized for the daily grind, download my Productivity List for Freelance Translators here.