| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Have you set an income target for your translation work in 2011? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you set an income target for your translation work in 2011?".
View the poll results »
| | | | | I never make plans that far ahead | Dec 29, 2010 |
| | | | Suzan Hamer 
Netherlands
Local time: 14:19
English
+ ...
| I don't plan that far ahead either, but if you aim at nothing | Dec 29, 2010 |
that's exactly what you'll hit.
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 14:19
English to French
+ ...
"Plenty to live off" (this is my only income), more is always welcome
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Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 14:19
Member (2006)
German to English
but I always have a minimum and everything else is more tax to pay, but more than welcome
| | | | Adnan Özdemir
Türkiye
Local time: 15:19
Member (2007)
German to Turkish
+ ...
My income target:
>58.000 EUR for 2011
Saludos desde Anatolia
Anadolu'dan selamlar
[Edited at 2010-12-29 09:30 GMT]
| | | | | Yes: at least as much as last year | Dec 29, 2010 |
My target is to make at least the same as in 2010 but with less work (fewer words and texts that I enjoy more). More is better.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 14:19
Spanish to English
+ ...
I'd most likely be wasting my time. The best laid plans of mice and men ...etc.#
My income depends on the volume of work that comes my way, which depends on my clients and the general economic situation at national, European and, to a lesser extent, global level.
Two years ago my earnings were down.
In 2010, I worked all summer long, since I was on debilitating medical treatment and didn't take any vacations, so this year I have earned "enough" - which, as my mother always as... See more I'd most likely be wasting my time. The best laid plans of mice and men ...etc.#
My income depends on the volume of work that comes my way, which depends on my clients and the general economic situation at national, European and, to a lesser extent, global level.
Two years ago my earnings were down.
In 2010, I worked all summer long, since I was on debilitating medical treatment and didn't take any vacations, so this year I have earned "enough" - which, as my mother always assured me, is "as good as a feast" - and I now expect to earn more or less the same in 2011, having achieved a positive result through the aforesaid medication and thereby a reasonably clean bill of health.
I would definitely like to buy a new motor vehicle, in cash rather than instalments, but I am not setting myself this as a specific target/objective, because my possibilities of doing so are conditioned by other, unforeseen expenses that might crop up unexpectedly. Life's like that.
Anyway, in the event of setting myself a "target", it might turn out to be more of a "frustration hurdle" were I to fail reach it, and since life in general is already stuffed to the gunwhales with lurking disppointments, I prefer to cast my fate to the fickle winds and rely on St Jerome or whatever other mysterious forces guide the translators' destiny.
And, in passing, wish everbody on proz a Happy and Prosperous New Year !!
Nil desperandum.
[Edited at 2010-12-29 10:36 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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jacana54 (X)
Uruguay
English to Spanish
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| Very similar to Muriel | Dec 29, 2010 |
Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:
My target is to make at least the same as in 2010 but with less work (fewer words and texts that I enjoy more). More is better.
Mine is to make more than in 2011 but with less work and texts that I enjoy more.
2010 has marked a clear improvement with respect to the previous years, so I'm quite optimistic.
Good luck, everyone!
| | | | Laura Gentili
Italy
Local time: 14:19
Member (2003)
English to Italian
+ ...
neilmac wrote:
I now expect to earn more or less the same in 2011, having achieved a positive result through the aforesaid medication and thereby a reasonably clean bill of health.
That's great news, Neil. I would like to wish you a 2011 full of happiness and health.
Laura
| | | | John Cutler
Spain
Local time: 14:19
Spanish to English
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| More monthly than yearly | Dec 29, 2010 |
For me personally, it would be pointless to try to set a yearly target. I don't control the workflow, which seems to come in ebbs and flows. I have fairly reliable clients, so I know something will come along each month but how much and when is completely out of my hands.
I do know how much I need to earn on a monthly basis to keep a family of five afloat, so I tend to micro-plan on a monthly basis and things average out as they will at the end of the year.
| | | | Evans (X)
Local time: 13:19
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Staying positive without setting a specific income target | Dec 29, 2010 |
I have been translating full time since 1983, and managed a slight increase in my income year on year and moved progressively into translating the kind of texts that most interest me. I hope to continue in that vein until I stop. All kinds of unforeseen circumstances can affect the business of a self-employed translator, and I've seen enormous changes over the years, including recessions, wars, globalisation ... The way to deal with this is to continue to offer an exceptionally good service and ... See more I have been translating full time since 1983, and managed a slight increase in my income year on year and moved progressively into translating the kind of texts that most interest me. I hope to continue in that vein until I stop. All kinds of unforeseen circumstances can affect the business of a self-employed translator, and I've seen enormous changes over the years, including recessions, wars, globalisation ... The way to deal with this is to continue to offer an exceptionally good service and keep an eye on new doors that might open for you. Frightening changes can lead to unexpected opportunities.
I'd like to wish everyone the very best for 2011.
[Edited at 2010-12-29 12:55 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:19
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
| My target... | Dec 29, 2010 |
as always, is to translate the largest possible volume, without relinquishing quality, at the highest possible rates.
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 13:19
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| You MUST have a target, IMHO | Dec 29, 2010 |
Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:
My target is to make at least the same as in 2010 but with less work (fewer words and texts that I enjoy more). More is better.
I have the same target. At the moment I pay very little tax (though lots of social contributions) but the tax bill seems to go up exponentially with earnings so I'm not really aiming for too much of an increase, just a better quality of work.
But just sitting back and saying:
"My income depends on the volume of work that comes my way"
"I don't control the workflow"
"I know something will come along"
is much too passive for me. No, you can't force an existing client to give you work (wouldn't that be nice? "Give me French to English work or my uncles will translate your website into Double-Dutch!") but you can actively look for new clients. Your dream job may just fall on your desk , but if it doesn't you've got to get out there and track it down and make sure it comes your way.
Anyway, good luck to you all, passive and active, in 2011 - in work and all other areas.
Sheila
| | | | | Not quite a target but a hope | Dec 29, 2010 |
I would not call it a target, but in the last few months I've felt the crisis tends to loosen its grip. Therefore, I hope my income will increase in the new year.
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