| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you think you offer better value than average in your language pair? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you think you offer better value than average in your language pair?".
This poll was originally submitted by Anne Lee. View the poll results »
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I offer a good service and I think a lot of colleagues in my language pair offer even a better service.
| | | | | I don't know | Nov 21, 2017 |
Before answering, I would need to know what the average value is, and I imagine that would be quite difficult to quantify.
| | | | Julian Holmes 
Japan
Local time: 06:39
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| I answered 'Yes' | Nov 21, 2017 |
but on second thoughts, I really don't have a clue because I'm pretty much sure that very few translators in my language pair are capable of handling or would take on the kind of work I accept. So, there really is no reference for comparison.
However, I can say with 100% confidence that I leave no stones unturned and that my customers get a good deal for their money.
I'm worth my weight in gold, which is an excellent reason not to go on a diet.  ... See more but on second thoughts, I really don't have a clue because I'm pretty much sure that very few translators in my language pair are capable of handling or would take on the kind of work I accept. So, there really is no reference for comparison.
However, I can say with 100% confidence that I leave no stones unturned and that my customers get a good deal for their money.
I'm worth my weight in gold, which is an excellent reason not to go on a diet.  ▲ Collapse
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As my dear friend Tina Turner - lovely lady, salt of the Earth - once told me:
You're simply the best
Better than all the rest
Better than anyone
Anyone I ever met
On the other hand, I don't come cheap.
So it all depends on what the customer needs.
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 23:39
French to English
| Everybody thinks they're above average | Nov 21, 2017 |
Apparently two-thirds of drivers think they are above average. Obviously that's not true.
I'm not sure if I offer better value. It depends what you want. If you just want a plain vanilla explanation of how to use a hair-dryer, plenty of others will offer better value for money. If you want a text selling something to people with a French mindset to be turned into a text selling something to people with a Brit mindset, I might be among the best.
I'm confident that I ca... See more Apparently two-thirds of drivers think they are above average. Obviously that's not true.
I'm not sure if I offer better value. It depends what you want. If you just want a plain vanilla explanation of how to use a hair-dryer, plenty of others will offer better value for money. If you want a text selling something to people with a French mindset to be turned into a text selling something to people with a Brit mindset, I might be among the best.
I'm confident that I can produce a suitable text, my main problem is persuading the client that that is what they need, rather than a literal translation where they can tell what translates what. ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 23:39
Spanish to English
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And even if I didn't think so, it would probably still be "good business" to say I did.
| | | | Chié_JP
Japan
Local time: 06:39
Member (2013)
English to Japanese
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| I do not know | Nov 21, 2017 |
Part time translators may offer faster turnaround at cheaper rate, say "Yes we can" to anything client asks.
They can beat full time freelancers who never compromise quality and negotiate when they absolutely need time to keep quality, in that aspect.
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| I don't know... | Nov 21, 2017 |
With so many unknown quantities, this equation has no solution. What is better value? What is average? I guess I’m rated higher than average when it comes to quality and price…
| | | | | That's what I strive for: adding value to what I deliver | Nov 21, 2017 |
Many people can translate, in all shades of quality and price. If cost is the one-and-only concern, they can use free online machine translation, whose overall quality is often equivalent to overly cheap human service, though the flaws differ in their nature.
So how do I add value?
I reckon that many clients don't know enough about translation to make sound decisions on how they'll meet their goals that involve translation. So I provide them truckloads of guidance on ... See more Many people can translate, in all shades of quality and price. If cost is the one-and-only concern, they can use free online machine translation, whose overall quality is often equivalent to overly cheap human service, though the flaws differ in their nature.
So how do I add value?
I reckon that many clients don't know enough about translation to make sound decisions on how they'll meet their goals that involve translation. So I provide them truckloads of guidance on my web site, covering all the services I offer. Some typical examples are the not so widely published details on sworn translations in Brazil, pointers do decide on dubbing or subtitling a video, also on deciding whether the best solution will be hiring a translator or a translation agency, and so on.
If that's not enough, I'll give them personal guidance by different communication channels. While I charge for everything I do, I'll try to do (and hence charge) as little as possible. After all, my rates are not on the cheap side, just average, so there is no point in wasting money on them.
I add value on the way, too. If the video I am expected to translate and subtitle has bad audio, I'll improve it to boost my productivity. Upon finalizing it, it's just a matter of clicking on a different place to have my clear-sounding audio replace the original soundtrack.
And finally, after the job has been delivered, if they find any typo to fix, or want something different, like a period replacing a comma in subtitles, I'll do it immediately, at no charge.
Yesterday a client wrote me on the guidance I gave her on some procedures regarding the sworn translation of a PoA. She had been discussing it with notaries for two weeks, and was getting close to the complete solution I gave her in my first reply via e-mail.
Clients value that. Today a client called me, saying I did some sworn translations for her husband a couple of years ago, before they moved from Brazil to the UK. Now she is beck here, visiting, and needs a few other such translations.
I guess adding value is what makes clients return. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mojtaba_
Iran
Local time: 01:09
Persian (Farsi) to English
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| That is a dependent parameter. | Nov 21, 2017 |
From text to text, from schedule to schedule, from quality to quality,
The struggle continues over the price.
The factors related to a translation depends on many issues which cannot be generally discussed.
However, in case I like a text I provide a price that allows the end user to accept the offer.
As to my previous experiences, some of my customers always mention that they need it to be my personal touch.
<... See more From text to text, from schedule to schedule, from quality to quality,
The struggle continues over the price.
The factors related to a translation depends on many issues which cannot be generally discussed.
However, in case I like a text I provide a price that allows the end user to accept the offer.
As to my previous experiences, some of my customers always mention that they need it to be my personal touch.
I believe in translation work, one needs discipline, quality, agility, flexibility, and proper software tools. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I certainly try! | Nov 21, 2017 |
Of course I think I am better than average.
Value for money? Well, that is what I tell clients if they think I am expensive. I have no idea what average means in my language pair - I have seen everything from abysmal to brilliant, but I assume there are enough competent professionals around to get the average standard up to definitely acceptable.
I don't honestly know where I am on the scale... but I voted yes in answer to the question.
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| Interesting result | Nov 21, 2017 |
Over 50% believe they offer better value than average. That must mean some people are over-estimating themselves...
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 18:39
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Elizabeth Tamblin wrote: Over 50% believe they offer better value than average. That must mean some people are over-estimating themselves...
Then, when other people complain that we are arrogant professionals, we deny it!
| | | | | I answered Yes | Nov 21, 2017 |
I do quite a bit of editing, and my answer is mainly based on what I see from translators with Master's degrees in translation.
It is not always that impressive, too much word-for-word translation, and not expressing themselves very well in their own mother tongue.
Of course, I don't know the other translators' prices, but with their university degrees, I am pretty sure they don't charge less than I do.
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