lingoking GmbH | Agnes-Pockels-Bogen 1 | 80992 München How to find new clients as a freelancer One of the most challenging and most important tasks for the freelance interpreters is getting new clients. Either new or experienced freelancer, finding work is the backbone of any business. Although this mission may seem overwhelming, there are a lot of tools and tactics which can help you to reach new customers. Here are some of the major tips: Word of mouth Let your family and friends spread the word about your service. Contact former employers, colleague, teachers or anyone from your past who helped you to succeed. You might be surprised how helpful this people can be in connecting you with potential clients. Look at your address book and send emails announcing what you do and what you offer. Ask your satisfied clients for recommendations. 30% of the interpreters we interviewed said that personal network is their primary marketing strategy. Networks, networks, networks… Take advantage of the internet services – make yourself ‘visible’ on the web. Participate in web-based social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter and XING. Register in forums and websites for interpreters – Proz.com, translatorscafe.com . For example, in XING there are more than 10 million members, including 640,000 premium members. Over 90 % of Premium Members log into the platform regularly. Still, merely having a registration is not enough. Read posts, answer to question, give your opinion, write articles and share your experience. About 35% of the participants in our survey admitted that internet forums and websites are their main channels for finding new customers. Be proactive Despite of all telecommunication technologies, face-to-face meetings always give a good ground for long-term business relationship. Go to translation and interpreters events, such as conferences, meeting, and seminars. Also go to events of your potential customers. At these fairs, socialize and have your card ready. Get involved in your local social groups, such as universities, schools, clubs, church, etc. ‘Give little to get a lot’ – do some pro-bono work for charity organization with industry links. Promote yourself You think you are better than other interpreters? You believe you can offer more? Why potential customers should choose YOU? Demonstrate your competency, professionalism and knowledge about your work. Start a blog and publicize it, submit tutorials or how-to’s articles, offer to speak at industry lingoking GmbH Agnes-Pockels-Bogen 1 80992 München Deutschland E: [email protected] T: +49 89 416 166 17-0 F: +49 89 416 166 17-9 Geschäftsführung: Nils Mahler, Timo lingoking GmbH | Agnes-Pockels-Bogen 1 | 80992 München and networking events. Take part in competitions and awards (and try to win them). Or you can organize or help for the organization of such events. Build a good reputation Your reputation is vital for finding new clients. Be careful what you do and say. Pay attention to what people are saying about you. Whenever your clients are unhappy with your work or refuse to use your service, always ask for a feedback. Learn from your mistakes and try to improve your service. Constantly develop your skills, participate in seminars and workshops. Become a member of interpreting associations, such as AIIC and IMIA. Demonstrate that you take yourself seriously and that your qualifications are approved by other experts as well. Your clients want to know that you can be counted on to do a good job. Certainly, there are many other techniques which may help you to get more work. Yet, this is a very difficult task and requires a lot of time, patience and commitment. Thus, you might want to consider working flexible hours for lingoking GmbH in your free time. We will be more than happy to consider your application. Either way, we wish you good luck!  Note: If you use the data in this short report, please reference it as www.lingoking.com (2010) “How to find work as a freelancer” Sources: “101 ideas how to get more freelance work and generate new clients leads”, URL: http://freelanceswitch.com/finding/101-ideas-to-get-more-freelance-work-and-generate-newclient-leads/ Entrepreneur, “Finding customers”, URL: http://www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/findingcustomers/index.html “Eleven ways to find customers”, URL: http://www.businessknowhow.com/startup/findcustomers.htm “The best FreelanceFolder: Our top 10 resources for getting clients”, URL: http://freelancefolder.com/the-best-of-freelancefolder-on-finding-new-clients/ “Five simple tactics for finding new clients”, URL: http://freelancefolder.com/five-simple-tacticsto-find-new-clients/ success lingoking GmbH Agnes-Pockels-Bogen 1 80992 München Deutschland E: [email protected] T: +49 89 416 166 17-0 F: +49 89 416 166 17-9 Geschäftsführung: Nils Mahler, Timo