Happy 4th of July to all my US friends and colleagues
Happy 4th of July to all my US friends and colleagues
Here is a guest post from our good friend Ofer Tirosh over at Tomedes
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A freelance translator’s recession survival kit
The economy is down big time, and it seems that survival would be bleak for quite some time to come. Almost everybody has been affected by this ongoing financial crisis and language translators are obviously not immune.
So how does a language translator tide over such times? Keep reading…
Question – Why aren’t you getting work like before?
Answer – Because your clients do not have sufficient money to pay you.
Solution – Lower your rates! It’s alright to receive less pay for the work you do, rather than not receiving anything at all. You can always go back to charging your regular rates once things are hunky dory.
Check out www.tomedes.com for a wide variety of translation jobs.
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(End of post)
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
P.P.S. Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
Hope you had a cool Christmas!
Wish you a very, very Happy New Year
A.M.Sall

Awesome blog post by Sonia Simone (Remarkable Communication. Please go there and sign up, at least for email updates).
Read and “internalize” (one of my friends’ favorite words!).
Once you’ve read and internalized it, you won’t need any more marketing lessons or books, including my own “Insider Guide”
Enjoy, and tell us what you think!
A.M.Sall
P.S. Your translation service clients are just people, like anybody else!
P.P.S. Click here to download your copy of ”The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
Here a is a guest post I just received from my friends at Lingo24, which as you know, is one of my favorite Translation Agencies. (Note that I haven’t changed the original British spelling, I hope you don’t mind, it’s still English
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Read the post and tell us what you think.
Here goes:
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Localisation is more than a Game for some Eastern Industries…
For any business seeking to globalise, it’s important to realise that there is a lot more to it than simply translating its communications verbatim.
There is a whole host of cultural and linguistic nuances that must be considered for a product or service to be accepted wholeheartedly by other societies.
Japan, for example, has always been at the forefront of the console and computer gaming industry, with the likes of Nintendo and Sega having their main headquarters in Kyoto and Tokyo respectively. But with the popularity of computer games growing exponentially over the past couple of decades, it’s only natural that serious competition would start to sprout up elsewhere in the world.
Indeed, ‘Western’ games have become increasingly sought-after in recent years, which has meant the popularity of many Japanese games has started to wean a little.
Ultimately, this has led to some of the top Japanese games companies employing the services of dedicated localisation specialists, who not only arrange for the translation and interpretation of the text and dialogue, but also help them to consider the subtler aspects of the game; the characters, the costumes, the narrative – fundamental aspects of a computer gaming experience that have often been marginalised in many of the best-selling Japanese games.
Given there is so much money tied up in the gaming industry, Japanese companies are paying top dollar to ensure their products meet the correct criteria of the international community; and similar to the wider translation and localisation community, there are the usual horror stories of ‘when it goes wrong’.
A classic example of this was when Japanese company Tecmo’s ‘Final Frame’ game was localised for the US and European markets. They changed all the characters to be of Western appearance, but when the game ends with the main protagonist Miku being reunited with her lost brother Mafayu, they had forgotten to change his features; meaning, they didn’t appear to be related at all.
But although this is simply an ‘oversight’, it does help to illustrate the importance of localising a game for the world market. And as with anything, if something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing right.
© Lingo24 Translation Services
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(End of post)
The Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) defines localization as “the process of modifying products or services to account for differences in distinct markets… Localization is not just a linguistic process. Cultural, content and technical issues must also be taken into account.”
Also see one of Translator Power’s posts on GILT.
What is your own experience of “localization“, as opposed to “simple translation”?
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
In its latest post, the Global Watchtower blog explains why “Companies frequently mention growth rates ranging from 20 to 40 percent over the past year…”
So it seems some LSPs (Language Service Providers) are not really suffering from the economic and financial crisis! Check out this blog post and you’ll know why.
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
Too much work, really – both translating and consulting.
Do you want to guestblog for Translator Power? Drop me a line at Amsall (Please put “TP guest blog” in the “Subject line”)
Anything goes, as long as it’s (closely or even remotely
) related to the Translation/localization profession and industry.
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
Image via Wikipedia
Commonsense Advisory has just published its Annual “Ranking of Top 20 Translation Companies“.
As you will note, this time they choose to rank the Top 25 instead of the Top 20 because, as they say: “Solid growth in the translation, localization, and internationalization space led us to expand our list this year to the Top 25.”
Also: “The market grew faster than in previous years” and
“The Top 25 List becomes more global with each passing year“
The list for 2007 includes LSPs (Language Service Providers) from 17 countries: the U.S. (6), the U.K. (4), Czech Republic (2), Switzerland (2), and China, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden (one each). LLCJ is a joint venture of companies from four countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Spain).
Conclusion
What’s ahead for providers of language services? The conclusion is rather optimistc. So rejoice, dear colleagues: this means that translation companies will recruit more in-house translators and freelancers!
Commonsense Advisory notes “an increasing need as companies increase their global exposure and, along with governments, strive to meet the needs of diverse populations at home and abroad.”
There are many reasons for this:
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
Hello, I’m back. And it’s been a long, long time!
I’ve been extremely, terriby busy doing… guess what, simply translating!
Well that’s my job, after all. And this reminds me of a post I did some time ago.
Now, here’s a promise to you: one of these days, very soon, I’ll bring you an interview of a great translator and I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from this highly experienced professional.
Have a great day (or night!)
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
Image via Wikipedia
The dollar is falling, but globalization presses on – with an increased demand for translation.
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Previewit’s here NOW first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: . And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
Image by Jason McArthur via FlickrGreat pictures from China, with a request to donate for earthquake relief.
I honestly hope this post by Top Marketing Strategist, Jeremiah Owyang will inspire you to donate for China earthquake relief. .
A very interesting article on the translation industry. I particularly liked this bit: “It’s a good business these days with everything going global,” explains Lori Ann Elzerman, founder of Expert Language Services in Rochester Hills (Michigan, USA). “With the slowdown of the U.S. economy, companies are trying to sell their products abroad.”
We also learn about the languages where business is growing: “Arabic, Asian languages such as Chinese, Korean and even Vietnamese are becoming more popular. Eastern European such as Czech, Hungarian and Polish is on the rise as well with the automotive companies going there”…
and “Indian-based languages such as Hindi or Urdu are coming up as well”
This article clearly shows that if you really know where and how to look, there is no dearth of opportunities for you as a translator. And the future of translation is bright!
Enjoy!
A.M. Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
If you still need a recommendation to get “The Insider Guide to the Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, just check out English/German and Italian/German translator Elisabeth Hippe-Heisler’s blog
Have a cool weekend!
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
Image by ~Terrie K ~ via Flickr
Do you remember this Translator Power post and this one, and also this one?
Now, check out this article in Business Weekk to confirm all that and act consequently:
“If you aren’t selling abroad, it’s time. We don’t have to tell you that the U.S. economy is struggling. Your suppliers may be raising their prices, and your business customers may be worried about their own sales. But just because demand may be shrinking at home doesn’t mean you won’t get a rousing welcome abroad”
Have a great weekend!
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
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Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!
Interesting comments!
July 26, 2008 — translatorpowerTwo posts that were written a long time ago have just received very interesting comments. Check them out here and here.
Have a cool weekend!
A.M.Sall
P.S. Click here to download your copy of “The Insider Guide to The Strategic Marketing of Translation Services“, the book no translator/interpreter in his/her right mind should even think of going without
. Or maybe you’d rather take a look at the Free Preview first? This is the book you’ve been waiting for so impatiently: it’s here NOW. And did I mention I’m now working on the 2nd edition, which will be much more complete, but also with a higher price (yes, there’s going to be a price rise!). Now here is the deal: if you get the book now (at the current price), you’ll get the 2nd edition for free. So why wait any longer…!?
*******
Subscribe to Translator Power and successfully market your translation/interpreting services either by Email or if you prefer the feed, just look on your left and make your choice!