Pages in topic:   [1 2] >
Poll: Are you planning to attend any translation-related events this year?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jan 30, 2017

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Are you planning to attend any translation-related events this year?".

View the poll results »



 
Stephen Rifkind
Stephen Rifkind  Identity Verified
Israel
Local time: 17:07
Member (2004)
French to English
+ ...
Curious indifference Jan 30, 2017

I don't fully understand the reluctance of translators worldwide to go to translator events. Based on my experience and that of others, translator gettogethers are the best source of business there is as well as inspiration and enjoyment. The "lost time" is clearly minor as compared to the benefits gained. In my opinion, conferences, small and big are the most effective and efficient source of marketing.

 
Gianluca Marras
Gianluca Marras  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 16:07
English to Italian
NO Jan 30, 2017

Stephen Rifkind wrote:

I don't fully understand the reluctance of translators worldwide to go to translator events. Based on my experience and that of others, translator gettogethers are the best source of business there is as well as inspiration and enjoyment. The "lost time" is clearly minor as compared to the benefits gained. In my opinion, conferences, small and big are the most effective and efficient source of marketing.


In my case Stephen, not many translation events are held in my area and with 2 kids and a full-time working wife it is quite difficult to attend.

I wanted last year (300 km from here), but then again you gave to consider all the needs of the family.


 
Russell Jones
Russell Jones  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:07
Italian to English
Missing option Jan 30, 2017

Other. Already have done!

 
mona elshazly
mona elshazly  Identity Verified
Egypt
Local time: 17:07
Member (2016)
Italian to Arabic
+ ...
Already done Jan 30, 2017

I have already attended one.

 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:07
Spanish to English
+ ...
Not sure Jan 30, 2017

I'm notoriously always too busy working to make it to most events, even those within an hour's travelling distance. I will try to make an effort this year.

 
Michael Harris
Michael Harris  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 16:07
Member (2006)
German to English
Not sure Jan 30, 2017

I have attended some in the past and I must admit that they were very informative and I also got a few new customers (and still have).

"I don't fully understand the reluctance of translators worldwide to go to translator events." - Why not,meet nice people and maybe even get to see things from a different point of view.
Obviously these things do cost money, but generally I found that if you go about things in the right way then this could well pay back. And not only that, you
... See more
I have attended some in the past and I must admit that they were very informative and I also got a few new customers (and still have).

"I don't fully understand the reluctance of translators worldwide to go to translator events." - Why not,meet nice people and maybe even get to see things from a different point of view.
Obviously these things do cost money, but generally I found that if you go about things in the right way then this could well pay back. And not only that, you can see the different cultures in the cities that the events are being held.
I was planning an event in the Baverian Alps but the ProZ staff really let me down and I decided not to do it any more - was really disappointed about that because I had done a heck of a lot of organizing, etc. in advance for it before they ditched me.
Collapse


 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
??? Jan 30, 2017

Stephen Rifkind wrote:

I don't fully understand the reluctance of translators worldwide to go to translator events. Based on my experience and that of others, translator gettogethers are the best source of business there is as well as inspiration and enjoyment. The "lost time" is clearly minor as compared to the benefits gained. In my opinion, conferences, small and big are the most effective and efficient source of marketing.


Would you care to explain how this works? I get the social aspect, but not how you get more work out of it.


 
Stephen Rifkind
Stephen Rifkind  Identity Verified
Israel
Local time: 17:07
Member (2004)
French to English
+ ...
Explanation Jan 30, 2017

No problem.

Contrary to common opinion, colleagues are not the enemy, i.e. competition. Every translator occasionally or regularly receives requests that are out of his/her field or availability. My wife and I try to refer these jobs to other translators ("no skin off my back") and naturally prefer people that we know who they are, what their area of expertise is and what type of business approach (as far as we can tell). For example, in our regular (every two months or so) meeti
... See more
No problem.

Contrary to common opinion, colleagues are not the enemy, i.e. competition. Every translator occasionally or regularly receives requests that are out of his/her field or availability. My wife and I try to refer these jobs to other translators ("no skin off my back") and naturally prefer people that we know who they are, what their area of expertise is and what type of business approach (as far as we can tell). For example, in our regular (every two months or so) meetings in northern Israel, we restate our fields to remind each other. Inevitably, various jobs start spreading among the group, work that the initial receiver was unable to handle for some reason. In the recent ATA article, this type of marketing is part of "spider marketing", i.e., having a wide as possible presence in the market.
Collapse


 
Michael Harris
Michael Harris  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 16:07
Member (2006)
German to English
Have you actually Jan 30, 2017

Stephen Rifkind wrote:

No problem.

Contrary to common opinion, colleagues are not the enemy, i.e. competition. Every translator occasionally or regularly receives requests that are out of his/her field or availability. My wife and I try to refer these jobs to other translators ("no skin off my back") and naturally prefer people that we know who they are, what their area of expertise is and what type of business approach (as far as we can tell). For example, in our regular (every two months or so) meetings in northern Israel, we restate our fields to remind each other. Inevitably, various jobs start spreading among the group, work that the initial receiver was unable to handle for some reason. In the recent ATA article, this type of marketing is part of "spider marketing", i.e., having a wide as possible presence in the market.


attended an international conference?

You also get to meet people there as well.

I mean you cannot really compare Israel with places like Germany or France (or even Brazil) can you (with regards to amount of people and distance to travel)?


 
Stephen Rifkind
Stephen Rifkind  Identity Verified
Israel
Local time: 17:07
Member (2004)
French to English
+ ...
All conferences Jan 30, 2017

The scale of the conference changes the dynamics but the result. I was at a small international conference, which ended up in a job for a colleague in the short term. Time and travel are relative. I will be away from work for two days for a national conference, two days that I consider an investment in my business. Everything in moderation, including moderation, but even networking pays off.

 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 16:07
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
I'm going to the next powwow if nothing else! Jan 30, 2017

Chris S wrote:

Stephen Rifkind wrote:

... Based on my experience and that of others, translator gettogethers are the best source of business there is as well as inspiration and enjoyment. The "lost time" is clearly minor as compared to the benefits gained. In my opinion, conferences, small and big are the most effective and efficient source of marketing.


Would you care to explain how this works? I get the social aspect, but not how you get more work out of it.


Simple. At powwows I meet colleagues who work in the opposite language pair - English to Danish - and who specialise in subject areas I don't mess with. I can't keep my big mouth shut on these occasions, so they notice me.
Then, quite apart from all the topics we discuss and good ideas we exchange, we can refer clients to each other when offered jobs we can't take ourselves for one reason or another, wrong language pair, too busy, wrong specialist area.
Some share big projects, proofread for each other... It may not work for everyone, but it works for me.

Well-chosen conferences and training days are good too, provided there are suitable coffee breaks and chances to talk to the others attending. Definitely worth every penny and a journey if you can possibly get your spouse or in-laws to look after the children, and ask a neighbour to feed the cat and water the greenhouse...
Expenses are tax deductible, which is quite a thought here in Denmark!

I can warmly recommend the annual Danish powwow in September this year for anyone working with Scandinavian languages. Quite apart from the powwow itself, if you don't live locally, take at least a week off while you are in the area. Aarhus, and in fact the whole region, is European Capital of Culture this year, and there is a lot going on. Maybe not all directly translation-related, but you can find lots of chances to leave a business card here and there, and speak Danish and other languages with visitors... There are masses of fringe benefits if you know where to look for them.


 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 15:07
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Indifference? Jan 30, 2017

Stephen Rifkind wrote:

I don't fully understand the reluctance of translators worldwide to go to translator events. Based on my experience and that of others, translator gettogethers are the best source of business there is as well as inspiration and enjoyment. The "lost time" is clearly minor as compared to the benefits gained. In my opinion, conferences, small and big are the most effective and efficient source of marketing.


Over the years, I have attended a few conferences and webinars, some have been informative, others have left me rather disappointed. On the other hand, I have been fortunate enough to have acquired a good client’s base and I see no need to engage in active marketing: clients find me, not the other way around. We all have our own reasons to go to this or that conference. Let’s not jump to hasty conclusions…


 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
Thanks Jan 30, 2017

Stephen Rifkind wrote:

No problem.

Contrary to common opinion, colleagues are not the enemy, i.e. competition. Every translator occasionally or regularly receives requests that are out of his/her field or availability. My wife and I try to refer these jobs to other translators ("no skin off my back") and naturally prefer people that we know who they are, what their area of expertise is and what type of business approach (as far as we can tell). For example, in our regular (every two months or so) meetings in northern Israel, we restate our fields to remind each other. Inevitably, various jobs start spreading among the group, work that the initial receiver was unable to handle for some reason. In the recent ATA article, this type of marketing is part of "spider marketing", i.e., having a wide as possible presence in the market.


I'm still skeptical.

I wouldn't touch 95% of the translators in my languages with a bargepole even with two pairs of Marigolds on, so how would I identify the other 5% at such a meeting and how would they know I'm not one of the 95%?

And that's quite apart from the way my natural sexual allure tends to lead others to underestimate me.


 
Yetta Jensen Bogarde
Yetta Jensen Bogarde  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 16:07
Member (2012)
English to Danish
+ ...
Yes, 2 or 3 Jan 30, 2017

I will attend the annual Danish powwow, this time in Århus as Christine mentioned. I think it is very nice to meet the same national translators every year, and I feel that more and more we get to see each other as colleagues and not competitors.

Then there is the annual Workfast Forward conference, this time at the Black Sea in Varna, Bulgaria. The WFF conferences are always great and I am looking forward to this year again.

Then finally, I am waiting to hear where th
... See more
I will attend the annual Danish powwow, this time in Århus as Christine mentioned. I think it is very nice to meet the same national translators every year, and I feel that more and more we get to see each other as colleagues and not competitors.

Then there is the annual Workfast Forward conference, this time at the Black Sea in Varna, Bulgaria. The WFF conferences are always great and I am looking forward to this year again.

Then finally, I am waiting to hear where the ProZ.com conference 2017 will take place and what the topics will be. I might also go there.

I love those conferences and learn a lot. I take the laptop along in case of client emergencies. In Denmark as in many countries professional conferences and seminars are tax deductible.

However, I understand it's a whole different ball game for people with young children, but in my case I have no more children living at home, so it is just perfect.

PS: I have never gotten any business at any conference, and did not expect to.


[Edited at 2017-01-30 11:09 GMT]
Collapse


 
Pages in topic:   [1 2] >


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: Are you planning to attend any translation-related events this year?






Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »
Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »