How to promote yourself

If you are a freelance interpreter and want to get more clients, there are several guidelines that I can recommend you.

1. Create your own website. Don’t worry, you don’t need to pay hundreds of euros to have your own website. It is very likely that your Internet Service Provider (the company you pay to get connected to Internet), offers you a domain and a hosting (space to load your website). It is also very likely that they offer you a template. Otherwise you can find hundreds of “free templates” in Internet.
2. Include a photo of yourself. When agencies or companies receive your e-mail with your CV, they need to put a face to that CV. It is very important that your photo looks professional. Wearing a suit will give a very impressive image of yourself.
3. Translate your CV in several languages. If you are going to send your CV to different countries, please, send it in their own language. The person who sees your CV doesn’t necessarily speak English.
4. Write an impressive and concise e-mail. Say what they want to know, not what you’d like them to know. Things an agency/company cares when receiving a CV in an e-mail:
a. Languages you translate
b. Your fees
c. Expertise
d. Experience
Of course you would like them to know that you are fantastic and that you have studied abroad, you have several courses…. But they don’t read. If you gives them in a snapshot a clear image of what you are, they will probably open your CV.
5. Make a proper planning. Sit down with a pen and paper and think in the following:
a. Objective public: agencies, companies, schools…
b. How to reach them? Do you have a database with their e-mails? Otherwise you will have to create it. Use www.yellowpages.com or similar sites to get their e-mail.
c. When to send the e-mails? Fridays are not a good day. The best days to send an e-mail are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
6. Send and check. Once you have sent your e-mails, check regularly your inbox and answer your messages straight away.