The document provides tips for freelance translators and interpreters on how to effectively work with translation agencies. It recommends that freelancers thoroughly research agencies, send personalized applications, follow up regularly with agencies through phone and social media, ask questions, and continually update their skills and profiles. The document emphasizes the importance of good communication, being polite, meeting deadlines, and following agencies' procedures. It suggests that developing strong relationships with agencies through consistent contact can lead to more work opportunities over time.

1. Learn to love your Agencies!
(well, most of them).
And they will love you too.
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2. Me and Atlas – Hello!
• I have run Atlas in the UK since 1991
• Atlas get around 350 applications a week
• Lots of spam, lots of scammers
• I am not a bad person, and I love my suppliers
• Please spare some love for agencies
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3. Poll
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4. What’s in my inbox every day?
• Impersonal applications – dear Sir
• CCed to 100s of other agencies
• Spelling errors and lazy typos
• Poor quality CVs and CVs not showing skills
• And that’s the ones that make it through my
spam filters
Agencies like mine want to work with you
• So what is the million dollar secret?
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5. Where do you start?
• If you want us to love you, woo us.
• Prepare – CV and covering letter - PERFECT
• Research agencies – ask around, look online
• Ask for recommendations
• Who has a good reputation?
• Who has interesting work and pays on time?
• You are a business person, so do think like one
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6. First approach
• Pen, paper, ready to make notes
• Pick up the phone
• Smile
• A very quick call
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7. First approach – an example
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8. Next?
• Link up with them on LinkedIn, Twitter,
Facebook, Google+ - whatever you use
• Use a personal approach and remind them of
your conversation
• Start a file for the Agency so you can note
anything discussed, contacts, rates
• Now try another Agency – 5 a day?
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9. Follow instructions
• You have to follow their procedures
• That may mean filling in a stupid form
• Follow up application to check all OK
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10. Rates
• Many people worry over rates – too high, too
low – and PANIC.
• Different rates for different Agencies -
RECORD
• Different rates when you start to when you
are more established
• Do raise your rates
• Do not work for free or below market rates
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11. Rates – conversations with Agencies
Not recommended:
Agency: Can you let me know your rate, as it isn’t on your application
form?
Translator/Interpreter: It depends – how much will you pay me?
Agency: Can you let me know your translation rate?
Translator: I usually charge 60/1000 but I’ll go down to 40/1000 if it
helps.
Recommended:
Give your rate and stop.
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12. Ask questions?
• Should I ask questions – does that look bad?
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13. Recap
• Research
• Targeted applications
• Being polite
• Asking questions
• Following up
• Great communication
• Social media interaction
• Visit!
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14. Approved – So WHERE is my work?
• You don’t know when that 1st job will arrive.
• More likely to be sooner if you stay in touch
and get your name known.
• You may have to make an effort! Some ideas.
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15. Communicate, Communicate,
Communicate
• Stay in touch - in an engaging way:
• BAD I’m desperate for work this month, have you got
anything? love Jane x
• GOOD Having just finished a really tricky project on the
perception of pet foods in the market place (I’ll never
look at tins of cat food in the same way again)! I am
available for new projects and would love to work with
you. Just to remind you, my specialist areas are
marketing, media, legal contracts and mechanical
engineering. And pet food, clearly. Best wishes, Jane,
English to French translator, MITI.
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16. Update
• Update your CV every 3 months
• Reflect any new skills, CPD, new specialisms
• A great opportunity to re-connect with your
clients and anyone you are waiting to work
with.
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17. Your first job offer!
• Is it really your area?
• Read the PO
• Read any instructions and reference material.
• If any problems jump out at you (illegible text,
missing pages, handwriting), flag it up with
the PM.
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18. Confirm you can do the job
• The Agency has made the leap to offer you the
job and will be waiting to hear if you can help
BAD: Yeah I can do it Bob
GOOD: Thanks so much, this is my subject area
and I’ll get started straightaway. Please send
over a PO and let me know if there is any
reference material, or special instructions. Many
thanks, Bob
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19. Before you deliver your work
• Raise queries before delivery so there is a chance
they’ll be resolved before delivery.
• Check your work.
• Check it again.
• Note any queries very clearly and write them into
your covering email so they cannot be missed.
• If you have any concerns over terms or content,
do raise when returning the job.
• Refer back to the PO to check where to deliver
and where/when to invoice.
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20. Now deliver that work
• On time
• Always on time
• If you are going to be late, do not hide or lie
• Agencies employ humans, and we know you
are human too.
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21. Invoicing and follow up
• Follow invoicing instructions
• Submit invoice on time
• Ensure invoice has arrived safely
• Check back with PM to make sure all well
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22. Project Managers leave
Tip: If that Project Manager who gave you all
those lovely projects leaves, or goes on
maternity leave, find out who is dealing with
their work – or you may lose out. As true for
smaller companies as larger ones.
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23. The rules of any business apply
• NEVER be rude. Ever. Be professional, cool, calm and
collected (even if you are boiling on the inside).
• NEVER respond in anger to an email. If comments
enrage you, sit back and wait a few hours or even days,
spend time crafting a killer reply that is POLITE.
• WALK AWAY from any client who is rude, difficult to
work with, pays you very, very late.
• PROTECT yourself by operating a tight business – chase
your invoices or pay a virtual PA to do it for you.
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24. Review your agencies regularly
• Be prepared to pick and choose when you are
established – your client list may well change
drastically.
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25. Add to your pool of agencies
• Increasing your number of potential Agencies
will increase the quality and variety of work
offers – and the volume
• Everyone pays different rates – so you can
choose the best ones
• Don’t be afraid to drop
Agencies
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26. Why not expand to direct clients?
• This approach is not just for Agencies
• It works for ALL clients
• Why not adapt your process and give it a go:
Prepare, research, contact, follow up,
communicate, and update
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27. So the million dollar secret?
It’s one that applies to every business.
COMMUNICATE
We should all be good at that in our industry!
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28. Thank you
• I hope you’ve enjoyed this webinar and that
it’s given you some inspiration
• Show some love!
• Agencies are not all baddies
• You may even decide to contact Atlas
• But above all please do communicate
www.atlas-translations.co.uk
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