Poll: Do you think clients tend to take their freelancers for granted? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you think clients tend to take their freelancers for granted?".
View the poll results »
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 05:16
Spanish to English
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Some of mine do anyway, but I may have encouraged that by always being available (except this week)....
| | | | Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 05:16
English to German
I have everything from people who take me for granite (thinking that they can walk all over me because I'm indestructible and have no feelings) to people who treat me like a precious jewel, and everything in between.
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It varies. Some might take me for granted (as Neil I admit I've encouraged them), but they all treat me right. Some happen to be more talkative and outgoing than others. Over the years, I’ve been called from time to time things like a “saint” (?!), a “miracle worker” (?!), a “goddess” (?!) and various other similar sobriquets…
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| Mostly in terms of availability | Sep 28, 2018 |
All translation clients, the good, the bad, and the ugly alike hold the assumption that we spend our time playing videogames, fishing, watching TV, whatever, just waiting for THEM - and nobody else - to assign us a translation job.
They can't envision the possibility that we might have other clients, or that these could have larger, more interesting or challenging, and better/faster paying jobs to assign us.
Some are shocked when I tell them I'm too busy to offer the ... See more All translation clients, the good, the bad, and the ugly alike hold the assumption that we spend our time playing videogames, fishing, watching TV, whatever, just waiting for THEM - and nobody else - to assign us a translation job.
They can't envision the possibility that we might have other clients, or that these could have larger, more interesting or challenging, and better/faster paying jobs to assign us.
Some are shocked when I tell them I'm too busy to offer the quick turnaround they want. They react as a wife would, if her handy husband replied, "No, darling, I can't check why your car won't start, so you can drive the kids to school. I promised that good-looking neighbor of ours that I'd be fixing her dishwasher."
And for many, it makes no difference if they assign me 1-2 jobs every week, a couple of them per year, or if they have to remind me who they are every time they contact me. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Not the ones I work with... | Sep 28, 2018 |
Admittedly, I have reached a point in my career and life where I can be picky. They need not make a song and dance about it, but my clients are usually appreciative.
I have always let clients know my points of view, positive or negative, as a way of drawing attention to myself and my professional (I hope) approach. Some do take translators for granted, but if you act like a doormat, don't be surprised if people walk over you and wipe their feet on you!
Do you take your ... See more Admittedly, I have reached a point in my career and life where I can be picky. They need not make a song and dance about it, but my clients are usually appreciative.
I have always let clients know my points of view, positive or negative, as a way of drawing attention to myself and my professional (I hope) approach. Some do take translators for granted, but if you act like a doormat, don't be surprised if people walk over you and wipe their feet on you!
Do you take your good clients for granted?
I have just sent out the month's invoices, thanked the clients for the jobs, and wished them a nice weekend. It's been a good month, but I have also gone the extra mile for them on a couple of occasions. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Taken for granted | Sep 28, 2018 |
When I first began professionally translating I was meek and mild and waited a long time to be paid. With time and many valuable experiences gained over the years, I realized what a great asset I am and the unique blend of experience I have accumulated. Not only that, I’m nice to work with and overdeliver to my clients. Nor do I accept ridiculous rates thanks to my own high standards and since I don’t take myself for granted neither do they.
| | | | Irina Kuzminskaya 
United States
Local time: 23:16
Member (2014)
English to Russian
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| pause for thought | Sep 28, 2018 |
The poll results are sad, though...
Happy Translation and Interpreting Day!
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R. Alex Jenkins
Brazil
Local time: 00:16
Member (2006)
Portuguese to English
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| Yes, I think so | Sep 28, 2018 |
Once you've been on the books for a while you become part of the "Dear All" pack, I'm afraid - a faceless person who could potentially fulfill their needs. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because you too are entitled to respond when available and don't have to take on jobs if you can't handle them under deadline, which helps to lift the stress, I suppose, but it still feels like we're being bundled into the herd and not really appreciated. Translation is a business just like any other.
... See more Once you've been on the books for a while you become part of the "Dear All" pack, I'm afraid - a faceless person who could potentially fulfill their needs. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because you too are entitled to respond when available and don't have to take on jobs if you can't handle them under deadline, which helps to lift the stress, I suppose, but it still feels like we're being bundled into the herd and not really appreciated. Translation is a business just like any other.
[Edited at 2018-09-28 15:45 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 00:16
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| It depends a lot | Sep 29, 2018 |
At first, I think they do. But I'm sure they consider who is really good, who is really professional, and who has more potential of adding more money to their stack, as it happens in all areas.
Really competent translators, who care for quality and accuracy, will eventually be recognized and valued by the client. They will be placed at a higher tier than those they take for granted.
Of course this only happens with a few clients, who also care for quality and accuracy, not only for p... See more At first, I think they do. But I'm sure they consider who is really good, who is really professional, and who has more potential of adding more money to their stack, as it happens in all areas.
Really competent translators, who care for quality and accuracy, will eventually be recognized and valued by the client. They will be placed at a higher tier than those they take for granted.
Of course this only happens with a few clients, who also care for quality and accuracy, not only for profit. But they exist and are not just a few. ▲ Collapse
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