Poll: Is networking (online and offline) as important as some of us believe?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Apr 7, 2019

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Is networking (online and offline) as important as some of us believe?".

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Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 08:02
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Not too important Apr 7, 2019

I guess the first step is to define 'important'. For me at least. The best "networking" I ever had was working in-house with fellow translators, from whom a learned much of my craft. For freelancers, I'm not so sure that much is to be gained professionally or financially from time spent networking with colleagues. However, there is always the personal reward of getting to know interesting people.

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Julio Madrid
Angie Garbarino
Noelle Crist-See
 
Maxi Schwarz
Maxi Schwarz  Identity Verified
Local time: 10:02
German to English
+ ...
pertaining to? Apr 7, 2019

The problem is that one doesn't know what it is referring to. Is it networking in order to obtain translation jobs? Networking in order to get a broader understanding of a subject area one is translating? Networking in order to stay on top of common scams and trends? Or to share ideas and discoveries of procedures and tools? The "as some of us believe" also seems to assume something familiar and common.
I'm in this and other forums so obviously I believe that there is some use to doin
... See more
The problem is that one doesn't know what it is referring to. Is it networking in order to obtain translation jobs? Networking in order to get a broader understanding of a subject area one is translating? Networking in order to stay on top of common scams and trends? Or to share ideas and discoveries of procedures and tools? The "as some of us believe" also seems to assume something familiar and common.
I'm in this and other forums so obviously I believe that there is some use to doing so, but I also don't know whether this would be considered "networking".
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Pavel Mondschein
Paulinho Fonseca
Julio Madrid
Jessica Noyes
Carmen Blazquez
 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:02
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Apr 7, 2019

Different strokes for different folks. A well-established translator with plenty of work coming in probably doesn't need to do much networking, if any. However, for those just starting up, it will obviously be important, as they try to build up a portfolio of clients.

Just yesterday I was looking at a forum where a lot of people were complaining that translation degree courses rarely include the nuts and bolts of the "business" - such as how to go about finding and keeping clients,
... See more
Different strokes for different folks. A well-established translator with plenty of work coming in probably doesn't need to do much networking, if any. However, for those just starting up, it will obviously be important, as they try to build up a portfolio of clients.

Just yesterday I was looking at a forum where a lot of people were complaining that translation degree courses rarely include the nuts and bolts of the "business" - such as how to go about finding and keeping clients, billing procedures in different jurisdictions, and things like that. I suspect the notion of networking may fall into the same category.

[Edited at 2019-04-07 10:04 GMT]
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Cátia Santana
Julio Madrid
Philip Lees
 
DZiW (X)
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
Good contacts: quality vs quantity Apr 7, 2019

Now I mostly work as an interpreter making useful contacts, and I clearly see the difference between paper-work and people-work. Unfortunately, people working with papers are not so social to solve almost any issues whereas people working with people have a huge advantage, because others often help them directly or indirectly, saying kind words to serious people too.

Shortly, unlike most* freelance translators, I have never met a decent interpreter who is a poor businessman. This ma
... See more
Now I mostly work as an interpreter making useful contacts, and I clearly see the difference between paper-work and people-work. Unfortunately, people working with papers are not so social to solve almost any issues whereas people working with people have a huge advantage, because others often help them directly or indirectly, saying kind words to serious people too.

Shortly, unlike most* freelance translators, I have never met a decent interpreter who is a poor businessman. This makes a big difference--and important)
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Julio Madrid
 
Paulinho Fonseca
Paulinho Fonseca  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 12:02
Member (2011)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Very important Apr 7, 2019

Being in the translation market does not really mean one is already making profits or a living from it. Networking might make a huge difference, right?

[Edited at 2019-04-07 12:21 GMT]


Cátia Santana
neilmac
Gibril Koroma
Carmen Blazquez
 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 12:02
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Very, very important Apr 7, 2019

In our profession, as freelancers, it's vital. there is no other marketing/job- or client- capturing method as efficient or even close to it.

Mónica Algazi
Gibril Koroma
 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 16:02
French to English
yes Apr 7, 2019

I don't see how you can get your first client without them knowing you. I have networked a lot, forging contacts with all sorts of people, and this has helped me a lot in landing my first translations. Basically I kept in touch with all former colleagues, many of whom are now working in other agencies, and quite a few of them have sent work my way. Some people have even chased me up after finding that I was no longer working in-house, and found me on LinkedIn.

 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 15:02
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Not too important Apr 7, 2019

Networking was very important when I started out (though by then that was simply referred as contacts) and all the contacts I established when working in-house and what I learned there helped me get my freelance career started. Networking has brought me some clients, whether coming from other customers or from peers, but it’s no longer important as over the years I was lucky enough to have built a solid client’s base. Today the idea behind my networking with some ‘virtual’ colleagues has... See more
Networking was very important when I started out (though by then that was simply referred as contacts) and all the contacts I established when working in-house and what I learned there helped me get my freelance career started. Networking has brought me some clients, whether coming from other customers or from peers, but it’s no longer important as over the years I was lucky enough to have built a solid client’s base. Today the idea behind my networking with some ‘virtual’ colleagues has gone from an open exchange of leads and introductions to an interpersonal communication on different work related issues.Collapse


 
Mónica Algazi
Mónica Algazi  Identity Verified
Uruguay
Local time: 12:02
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
Absolutely Apr 7, 2019

I would say essential these days.

Mario Freitas
 
Wilsonn Perez Reyes
Wilsonn Perez Reyes  Identity Verified
El Salvador
Local time: 09:02
Member (2007)
English to Spanish
+ ...
It depends Apr 7, 2019

It depends if you work with agencies or direct clients. I only work with agencies, and I am fine with that. So it is not important at all for me.



[Edited at 2019-04-07 22:47 GMT]


 
Gibril Koroma
Gibril Koroma  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 11:02
French to English
+ ...
Very important Apr 7, 2019

Networking is the soul of any business.

Mario Freitas
 
DZiW (X)
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
Communication is a must Apr 8, 2019

As far as networking is a synonym for "communicating", "meeting people", "making contacts", "setting connections", "establishing", and so on, it's very important not only for starting businessmen, but also for everyone in everyday life.

Of course, one should be wise and careful with the contacts, filtering out pests)


 
Philip Lees
Philip Lees  Identity Verified
Greece
Local time: 17:02
Greek to English
Other Apr 8, 2019

Presumably networking is important to those who believe it is important, but not to those who don't.

I put myself in the latter category at present, but that could change.


Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
 


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Poll: Is networking (online and offline) as important as some of us believe?






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