1 - Directories

2 - What is the ProZ.com directory?

The ProZ.com directory is a searchable database of translators, interpreters and companies that are registered at ProZ.com. This directory is the most popular in the translation industry, and represents the primary means that outsourcers use to find translators and interpreters at ProZ.com. See: http://www.proz.com/directory

3 - Why don't I show up in the appropriate directory?

If you are a freelancer who doesn't show up in the freelancer directory, or if you represent a company that doesn't show up in the Company directory, your account type may be set incorrectly in your profile.

To correct this, go to the Edit personal data page from your profile. Set your account type to "Company" or "Freelancer", as appropriate.

4 - Is the directory important to me if I want to meet clients?

The directory is the leading source of new clients for translators at ProZ.com, and in the translation industry as a whole. While there may be good reason to make a job posting, experienced clients often have a very good idea of the skills, experience and credentials they are looking for in a translator or interpreter, and therefore choose to contac a small number of translators directly, via the directory and profile pages. This allows them to skip the tender phase of a project.

If meeting clients is among your objectives at ProZ.com, be sure your directory entry is complete--with detailed fields of expertise entered!--and that your profile contains a representative tagline. It is also strongly suggested that you use your real name.

5 - How is placement in the directory determined?

When a client searches the directory for a translator or interpreter, s/he is presented with two sets of results: the first set consists of (paying) members, and the second set consists of non-paying registrants.

By default, each set of results is ordered by KudoZ points, with the members with higher KudoZ point totals (in the language pair and field searched) placed closer to the top. Members with no KudoZ points are ordered below these, by date of registration.

The default view is not necessarily the view that client will use. Clients are given the option of further filtering and sorting directory results, using such criteria as credentials earned, native languages, years of experience, tools available, geographical location and more.

6 - How can I move up in the directory?

When a client searches the directory, results come in two sets. The first set is made up of (paying) members and "jobs"-type partial members; the second set is made up of non-paying registrants.

Each set is ranked by KudoZ points (in the language pair and field searched ), browniz points and registration date (earliest first). Because about half of all site users have no points, earning even a few KudoZ points can significantly boost your standing in the directory.

To maximize your client exposure become a site member, be sure to report your credentials, the CAT tools you use, and other factors. Having a tagline that reflects your specialty (like "25 years of medical translations") rather than a general one (like "high quality") is also very important.

For more information about improving your listing in the freelancer directory, see this howto article.

7 - How can I hide my "online today" indicator in the directory?

Indication of whether a member has been online today is shown in each member's directory listing. If you do not want this information to be shown in your directory listing, you can hide it from this page. On that page, click "hide" next to "ProZ.com Online Status". This will also hide your ProZ.com messaging indicator, which shows if you have been online in the past several minutes.

8 - Why am I not appearing and/or found in the directory?

To appear in the directory, you must enter at least one language pair and at least one area of specialization. If you have done that, you are in there! Search for your language and specialization, and then page through the results.

Note that only ProZ.com members appear in the first result set. To find those who have not paid for membership, you must first click on the "non members" title. Also be sure you are searching for freelancers or companies, as appropriate. Lastly, please know that if you are a freelancer and you have multiple language pairs in your profile, the directory will only show your first 8 language pairs that are listed in your profile (starting from top to bottom).

9 - Will I be listed in the directory for all the language pairs I declared?

No. There is a limit to the number of language pairs taken into account for the directory. Full members and partial jobs members are listed for their top 8 language pairs, and non-members and partial community members are listed for their top 3 language pairs.

If you would like to change the order of the language pairs reported in your profile, go to the "Languages" section of your Profile Updater, click and drag each pair to the position you would like them to appear in your profile and click on "Save current order" to save the order selected. Don't forget to click on "Save and update profile" at the bottom of the page to save the changes applied.

10 - Can I save/download directory search results?

Yes. You can save Advanced directory search results by checking the box to select all vendors and then clicking on More... in the upper menu. A window will pop-up allowing you to save results in a TPX file or save quotes or contact information in an Excel file.

11 - How are companies ranked in the company directory?

The companies in the directory are ranked taking into account the following order: membership, a weighted calculation of their Blue Board rank, company profile completeness, number of active non-payments. Please make sure to check those fields to move up in the directory.

12 - Interpreter world map

12.1 - What is the Interpreter World Map?

The Interpreter World Map is a tool that clients can use to locate interpreters by language pair, field and geographical location. Interpreters are shown by graphical representation on a world map. See: http://www.proz.com/?sp=interpreter_search

12.2 - Why don't I see myself on the Interpreter World Map?

In order to be shown on the Interpreter World Map, you must live in the country being searched, have interpreting listed as a service you provide in the language pair being searched, and have added your location to the map.

13 - Directory text ads: market yourself in the directory

13.1 - Who is allowed to create text ads?

Directory text ads are available and may only be purchased by (paying) members of ProZ.com. Directory text ads are not available for users.

13.2 - How do I create a Directory Text Ad?

You can create and manage your Directory Text Ads from your My Text Ads page. For more information, see this info page.

13.3 - Why must I specify a language pair and expertise?

As a general principle, ProZ.com encourages translators to specialize as much as possible in order to stand out online. See this Article for more information.

Additionally, precisely targeted text ads that clearly meet the needs of the outsourcer searching the directory provide a useful service to the outsourcer as well as to the translator. Consistently relevant Directory Text Ads are more valuable to everyone concerned, and are less likely to be "tuned out", than generic, poorly targeted advertising.

13.4 - Can I trade BrowniZ for Directory Text Ad impressions?

Full members of ProZ.com may trade BrowniZ for Directory Text Ad impressions. The rate is 10 BrowniZ per impression in the freelancer directory, and 50 BrowniZ per impression in the Agency directory. A minimum outlay of 4000 BrowniZ is required.

Please note that once you buy your text ad, the 4000 browniz are held in that account for that particular text ad. The browniz cannot be removed once you've bought your text ad.

13.5 - Why can't I add BrowniZ to my Directory Text Ad balance?

There are several requirements for adding BrowniZ to a Directory Text Ad balance:

• You must be a member of ProZ.com
  
• You must have at least 4000 BrowniZ available.
  
• US Dollars and BrowniZ may not be mixed in a Directory Text Ad balance. If the text ad has an existing balance in US Dollars, you must either wait for its balance to run down to zero, or create a new Directory Text Ad, in order to add BrowniZ to the balance.
  

13.6 - I would like to create one text ad that will be displayed on both directories. Can this be done?

If you have an account type of "both" in your personal data, you will be asked to choose either to have your text ad show on the new freelance directory or on the agency directory, since each text ad can only be displayed on one directory at a given time. However, once you've purchased your directory text ad, you may edit the directory type at any time to have your text ad shown some days on the agency directory and some days on the freelance directory.

13.7 - After I create my directory text ad, may I edit it?

Yes. You may edit your directory text ads by clicking on the My Text Ads page. Please make sure you confirm your change(s).

13.8 - Am I allowed to buy more than one text ad for the same language pair and field/specialty?

You are allowed to purchase as many text ads as you like. For example, if you would like to buy 3 text ads for ENG > SPN, with a general field of 'medical' that is no problem at all.

However, please note that not all three will show up on the directory search results at one time. The directory text ads are placed based on your entity ID, therefore, the text ads will automotically rotate. But, of course if you have 3 text ads in the same language pair and field/specialty, your text ads will appear more frequent.

13.9 - May I use my wallet to pay for my text ad?

Yes. Freelancer Directory Text Ads are priced at $0.05 USD per impression. Agency Directory Text Ads are priced at $0.25 USD per impression. An impression is defined as a single viewing of the text ad. A minimum purchase of $20.00 USD is required. Once you've purchased your text ad, the $20.00 USD is then placed in your text ad account for that particular text ad. The money cannot be taken out once you've purchased the text ad.

13.10 - Will there be a balance and history of my text ads available for me to view?

Yes. You may view your directory text ads' activity and balance by clicking on the My Text Ads page.

13.11 - Can I have my browniz or wallet balance refunded to me?

No. All transactions regarding text ads are final and cannot be refunded.

13.12 - I've created a text ad, but I can't see it on the directory.

First thing to do is to check to make sure you bought and confirmed your text ad. You may do that by clicking on the My Text Ads page. If there is a balance for the particular text ad in question, then you have bought it already. However, if there is not a balance and you read a '0' in the account, then you must purchase the text ad by clicking the [buy now] link. You may use browniz or your wallet to purchase your text ad. Please make sure you 'confirm' your purchase.

Note: If you have purchased your text ad and it's still not visible on the directory, please check to make sure your search parameters match the directory text ads' parameters. Also, make sure you are searching the correct directory for the particular text ad. Finally, make sure your profile account status matches the text ads' directory.

13.13 - I don't think the balance is correct on my text ad account.

If you think the balance is not correct on your text ad account, please see this info page to check the prices on the text ads.

14 - Translator organizations database

14.1 - What is the organizations database?

ProZ.com encourages its members to consider joining translator groups in their areas. The organizations database is a user-built database of such groups, with associated details and contact information.

14.2 - My organization is not listed in the organizations database. How can I get it added?

If you are a member of a translator group that is not listed, you may requst that the group be added by sending contact details, links and other information related to the organization to ProZ.com via a support request.

14.3 - What is the process for getting my organization removed from the database?

If you are a board member of an organization listed in the database, and for some reason prefer that details related to your organization not be provided to ProZ.com members, it is possible to request exclusion from certain functionality. Specifically, you may request that no information be provided about your organization, and that no special means be provided for ProZ.com members to indicate membership in your organization in their profiles.

Organizations wishing to opt out in this way should send a written request for "explicit exclusion from the organizations database", signed by an authorized representative of the organization, to ProZ.com, 9405 Carousel Center, Syracuse, New York, USA, 13290.

Note that the names of organizations which have opted out will be shown (names only). This is necessary in order to head off requests by ProZ.com members that the organization be added.