نازخاتون
21st September 2010, 04:19 PM
The objective of this article is to improve communication between freelance translators and translation agencies on various payment issues
Practically all freelance translators are familiar with the frustration of spending too much time and effort collecting fees for translation. The optimization of this process may therefore be of interest to many of my colleagues.
:This problem can be approached in two ways
. Thoroughly check the client's payment practices BEFORE accepting a job
Professional debt collection AFTER the job has been completed and delivered to the client.
If the first step is implemented well enough, the second step will be unnecessary.
:Let's focus on the first step
When you are approached by a new agency, the first thing you need to do is check its payment practices on all current payment practice databases.
Then you should visit the agency's website and see if it provides all necessary contact info (full street address, phone, fax, e-fax, mobile, e-mail address) and a list of the agency's clients and client testimonials, preferably with contact info. If the agency has no website, this is a bad sign. Another bad sign is a free e-mail address.
Pay attention to the agency's memberships in professional associations, such as ATA for USA agencies and ITI for UK agencies. An agency should be registered with its national chamber of commerce and have a registration number.
You can ask the potential client to provide you with this information if it is not published on its website. A client with good intentions and a first-class reputation will be happy to cooperate. I recommend asking for this information immediately after receiving a P.O. or contract. Some other important pieces of information to be collected include: How long has the client been in business? How long have they been at their current location? Who owns the business?
If the agency has positive payment practice records in the above databases and willingly provides the information you need, you can accept the job without worry. Most probably you will have no problems with collection.
Practically all freelance translators are familiar with the frustration of spending too much time and effort collecting fees for translation. The optimization of this process may therefore be of interest to many of my colleagues.
:This problem can be approached in two ways
. Thoroughly check the client's payment practices BEFORE accepting a job
Professional debt collection AFTER the job has been completed and delivered to the client.
If the first step is implemented well enough, the second step will be unnecessary.
:Let's focus on the first step
When you are approached by a new agency, the first thing you need to do is check its payment practices on all current payment practice databases.
Then you should visit the agency's website and see if it provides all necessary contact info (full street address, phone, fax, e-fax, mobile, e-mail address) and a list of the agency's clients and client testimonials, preferably with contact info. If the agency has no website, this is a bad sign. Another bad sign is a free e-mail address.
Pay attention to the agency's memberships in professional associations, such as ATA for USA agencies and ITI for UK agencies. An agency should be registered with its national chamber of commerce and have a registration number.
You can ask the potential client to provide you with this information if it is not published on its website. A client with good intentions and a first-class reputation will be happy to cooperate. I recommend asking for this information immediately after receiving a P.O. or contract. Some other important pieces of information to be collected include: How long has the client been in business? How long have they been at their current location? Who owns the business?
If the agency has positive payment practice records in the above databases and willingly provides the information you need, you can accept the job without worry. Most probably you will have no problems with collection.