| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: When was the last time you had to speak to a client by phone or in person? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When was the last time you had to speak to a client by phone or in person?".
View the poll results »
| | | | | Two days ago | Aug 18, 2017 |
It happens maybe 5 times a year that I get a customer phone call, so this poll came in just at the right time.
Earlier this year I also had 2 skype videocalls with 2 other customers, something that has happened a handful of times since 2000.
But, provided you don't want a reply with the next 45 seconds, e-mail remains the most efficient and unintrusive way to reach me.
Verba volant, scripta manent
Philippe
| | | | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 20:44
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Earlier this month | Aug 18, 2017 |
A couple of days after delivering a marketing research translation to a regular direct client, I got a call from him. The end client, a market research company in another EU country, still had 30,000 words of verbatim interviews needing translated which they hadn't included in their initial budget. They were looking for someone to do it "cheaply, perhaps a student"... Because, as they asserted, it was "easy, because it was just conversational language". Both my client and I had a good laugh abou... See more A couple of days after delivering a marketing research translation to a regular direct client, I got a call from him. The end client, a market research company in another EU country, still had 30,000 words of verbatim interviews needing translated which they hadn't included in their initial budget. They were looking for someone to do it "cheaply, perhaps a student"... Because, as they asserted, it was "easy, because it was just conversational language". Both my client and I had a good laugh about their innocence and lack of forethought. Needless to say, they are probably still looking for that "cheap and cheerful student-type"... (facepalm) ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
| Earlier this year | Aug 18, 2017 |
All clients contact me by email. I remember receiving a phone call from a client earlier this year. I must say though that I used to receive a lot of phone calls when I worked as a sworn translator in Belgium.
| | | | Muriel Vasconcellos (X) 
United States
Local time: 11:44
Spanish to English
+ ...
| I don't remember | Aug 18, 2017 |
I think it has been a very long time.
Maybe once a year I get a phone message from a client to make sure I received their e-mail. I reply by e-mail, so we never really talk.
| | | |
I have spoken to two clients this week. Both like to check that I am able to take on the job and ask when I can deliver before they make a firm offer to the end client.
I get calls from clients several times a month.
| | | |
It's email or nothing for me, especially after that hideous obscene phone call I got from a fake potential client. I just don't answer the phone if I don't recognise the number.
| | |
|
|
|
Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 14:44
English to Spanish
+ ...
| I have a question... | Aug 18, 2017 |
What's a phone?
| | | | Toni Faisal
Indonesia
Local time: 02:44
English to Indonesian
+ ...
| never had before... | Aug 18, 2017 |
I never spoken to a client, end client or to any agencies so far. But, we texted each other via WA, Line, Skype.
| | | |
Yesterday. That's a big gap between "today" and "eariler this month". I am genuinely suprised at "Never".
Whether the client is a direct client or an agent, at some point, I like to have a voice as part of the client as a human picture. You get a lot from a voice. Indeed, most of my direct clients are people I have met. I also tend to meet at least one member of staff with client agencies, although it is not always possible.
| | | |
A frequent client rang me yesterday to offer an urgent translation - which I've just delivered. My clients of long standing fairly often telephone me to discuss a job before emailing me so I don't find it at all unusual, although, of course, I check my email at frequent intervals too.
I agree that it's pleasant to put a voice to a name. When I started as a freelancer 20 or more years ago and lived in London, I even visited some of my agencies' offices and got to know them.
| | |
|
|
|
Noura Tawil
Syria
Local time: 22:44
Member (2013)
English to Arabic
| Earlier this year | Aug 18, 2017 |
I had a long voice call through Skype with a British client earlier this year. The last phone call happened a couple of years ago with a regular Swedish client, while the last voice message came a couple of weeks ago from a client who happened to be traveling and couldn't type on his phone at the time, I answered by text messages.
That being said, I prefer emails and I'm usually a quick responder, but flexibility in responding to other communication means is necessary sometimes. ... See more I had a long voice call through Skype with a British client earlier this year. The last phone call happened a couple of years ago with a regular Swedish client, while the last voice message came a couple of weeks ago from a client who happened to be traveling and couldn't type on his phone at the time, I answered by text messages.
That being said, I prefer emails and I'm usually a quick responder, but flexibility in responding to other communication means is necessary sometimes.
[Edited at 2017-08-18 14:05 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Francisco ABREU
Brazil
Local time: 16:44
Member (2005)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Don't speak, write | Aug 18, 2017 |
I avoid at all costs engaging a client by phone. I do it when it's absolutely unavoidable and only for a preliminary contact.
| | | | | I answered never | Aug 18, 2017 |
because I took the words 'had to speak to' meaning that it was necessary for me to call, in order to clarify something.
However, I do talk to clients or potential clients when they call me.
That happens maybe 3 times a year, when an established client needs to know quickly, if I am available
- or a potential client, maybe 6 times a year wants the same information (but I am vary of those, they rarely turn out to be great).
People know, I'm usually reachable b... See more because I took the words 'had to speak to' meaning that it was necessary for me to call, in order to clarify something.
However, I do talk to clients or potential clients when they call me.
That happens maybe 3 times a year, when an established client needs to know quickly, if I am available
- or a potential client, maybe 6 times a year wants the same information (but I am vary of those, they rarely turn out to be great).
People know, I'm usually reachable by email within an hour or less.
BTW: I remember one client once called to explain some complicated (to me) procedures on their portal. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: When was the last time you had to speak to a client by phone or in person? | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
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 » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
