Before starting as a freelance translator

ProZ.com is offering a series of webinars on Internet Freelancing ran by Oleg Rudavin, successful freelancer, ProZ.com moderator and trainer.

The sessions will deal with freelancing and, specifically, freelance translation starting from the initial steps (assessing one's suitability for freelancing, taking first steps, etc.) essential for beginners to sophisticated topics like viability of outsourcing or starting a translation agency. The entire program is listed below.

1. Before starting as a freelance translator - April 24
2. Freelance translator’s career development - April 29
3. Planning freelance translator’s career - May 5
4. Client hunting - May 11
5. Rates
6. Your freelance outfit: any items missing?
7. Typical mistakes
8. Relations with clients: basis for mutual satisfaction
9. Outsourcing
10. Starting an Agency

Webinar 1: Things to Know Before Starting as a Freelance Translator
This session is intended for those who consider starting their freelance careers. There are both pros and contras to either type of professional activities (inhouse vs. freelance) as well as specific issues to freelancing which we often discover only after we start – and what’s worse, we find that we don’t like them! The result is wasted time and effort.

The session will deal with the freelance environment, including general description of the scope of responsibilities (and their comparison vs. inhouse position); the negative aspects of freelancing; psychological implications; consequences for health; and, as opposed, the benefits, such as possibility to manage one’s workload and income, shift one’s working time and adjust schedule, etc. We'll also try to have a look at common perception of (translation) freelancing and see if it's true or wrong.

The ultimate purpose of the session is to provide information to potential freelancers so they could make perfectly informed decisions, whether negative or positive.

Special price for student members: 25 USD

Payment can be done online with credit card, paypal moneybookers or wire transfer. Please click on the buy button on the right to purchase your spot.

Also, for some countries, local payment will be available, see Local payment option for training sessions for more information.

For PC-based Users

• Required: Windows® 2000, XP, 2003 Server or Vista
• Required: Internet Explorer® 6.0 or newer, or Mozilla® Firefox® 2.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL or better recommended
• Recommended: Minimum of Pentium® class 1GHz CPU with 512 MB of RAM (2 GB of RAM for Windows Vista)

For Mac®-based Users

• Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or later
• Required: Safari™ 3.0 or newer, Firefox® 2.0 or newer; (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL or better recommended
• Required: PowerPC G4/G5 or Intel processor, 512 MB of RAM or better

To Use VoIP (mic & speakers)

• Required: Fast Internet connection (384 kbps or more recommended)
• Required: Microphone and speakers (USB headset recommended)

 Oleg Rudavin    View feedback | View all courses

Bio: Interpreter and translator with over 20 years’ experience. ProZ.com member since 2003, ProZ.com Professional Trainer and Conference Speaker. Translator of more than 30 books and seven authored books, including "Internet Freelancing: Practical Guide for Translators". For more information about “Internet Freelancing”, click here