How to do Online Translation Jobs in 2022 will answer all the techniques, resources, and New Ways to Make Money, how much you make, and more.
With businesses going global, communicating with international clients in their language is increasingly becoming important. This need has opened up translation business opportunities for people proficient in multiple languages. And what better way to work independently than to become a freelancer?
Why Become a Translator
In India, there is a high demand for translation into regional languages like Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada. If one of these languages is your mother tongue, you don’t need certifications to prove your proficiency.
If we have to talk about foreign languages, data shows that Chinese, French, German and Spanish are the most sought-after languages in India. An advanced degree in any of these high-demand languages can increase your earning potential substantially.
For starters, freelancing is a better way to get self-employed but as you gain more experience, we suggest that you build your own website and market your work on career sites. In fact, you can go a step forward and start your own translating agency.
How to do Online Translation Jobs
If you are proficient in multiple languages, you can sign up on freelance platforms to get started.
To freelance as a translator, start by signing up with websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour, where companies post translation projects. The catch is that you don’t get to decide what you want to charge for each project, rather the employer will set the fee per project.
For signing up with these portals, you need to have a bachelor’s degree or prior experience in the language. In the absence of both, you can take an online course offered by certified institutions or colleges.
There is no charge for signing up on freelance portals but they charge a commission ranging from 5 percent to 20 percent per project.
- Become fluent in another language
- Get specialized training
- Become certified
- Target a specific industry and learn the terminology
- Gain work experience
New Ways to Make Money with Translation
SELLING YOUR TRANSLATION PIECES
Perhaps you have an already-translated document that people would be willing to pay money for. In that case, you can increase your income by selling your translation pieces. Being an online translator is as much about creating content to sell as it is about finding clients that already have the stuff to translate!
A prime example of this practice is the Muller Report case. Although this report was available for free, the Washington Post wrote a book about it and sold it on Amazon. Currently, the report is only available in English and Spanish, both versions having sold hundreds of copies. So, if you have some spare time on your hands, you could also translate the Muller Report into your second language and then sell it online.
However, it doesn’t have to be the Muller Report, it can be poems, songs, short stories, etc.
Look at classical texts, too. They don’t fall under copyright laws anymore (but always check first!). That means you can translate the text, publish it as an eBook or a book, and claim the profits for yourself.
It can be any piece of writing you can find and notice a demand for. Just do your research, be creative, and get started!
CREATING A GLOSSARY
When you think of being an online translator, you most likely think of large chunks of text awaiting your bilingual skills. Yet, it doesn’t always have to be like that. If you speak two languages and have extensive knowledge and vocabulary of a specific field, you can build a glossary.
A successful example of this practice is the IMF Glossary: English-French-Spanish. It focuses on terms related to macroeconomics, money, and accounting, and the new hardcover version sells on Amazon for £57.
However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be career-focused. The topic of your glossary can be any field you have an interest in. Other examples include El Jefe’s English – Spanish Glossary of Basketball terms, the Harry Potter Glossary, the Glossary of Stand-Up Comedy terms, the Glossary of Surfing Terms and Surf Slang, etc.
As long as you have a clear understanding of your chosen subject in both languages, you can write a glossary about anything!
TRANSLATION ROYALTIES
If you have confidence in your linguistic abilities, another alternative of making money online is translating a book. Depending on the terms of your agreement with the writer, you can claim translation royalties. This way, every time a copy of the book is sold, you receive a percentage of that sale. You can even enter competitions with your translation, and win cash prizes!
Although literary translations can be hard to find, it’s important to be proactive. Writers won’t trust other people with their books unless they know who they are; so, you’ll have to reach out to them.
While getting the first job might be difficult, the rewards are plentiful. One project can be enough to generate money for you long-term, without you having to do any extra work. Hence, it’s worthwhile considering it.
LIVE TRANSLATION JOBS
There’s a growing market for real-time translators, too. If you’re fluent in two languages, you can use this to offer your services as an interpreter. From police interviews to joining international online business meetings, there are lots of ways to use your language skills as a live translator.
More jobs are online than ever before, so it’s possible to be an online translator even if you’re not in the same location as someone. This is really useful for things like businesses that want to gain international clients. You can sit on their Zoom calls and directly translate the conversation on both sides to make sure a deal is arranged.
If you want to go into live translation, decide on the type you want to do. Police interpreters, for example, often work as freelance translators working with solicitors and lawyers as well as police stations. The more specialized your language skills, such as a language not commonly spoken in the UK, the higher rate you can charge. If you’re operating as a freelance translator, it helps to set up a website that showcases your skills and niches.
MORE IDEAS FOR BILINGUAL PEOPLE
If you want to leverage your language skills and you’re not too keen on translation jobs, you can try tutoring. There are millions of people out there who want to learn a foreign language. To reach them, you can simply create an account on platforms like italki or Verbling, which enable students and teachers to come together. All it takes is to set up an account, take a video of yourself for introduction, establish an hourly fee and you’re good to go.
Alternatively, use your language skills in services like transcription, subtitling, and captions. Some of the main platforms specializing in these services are GoTranscript, REV.com, and GMR Transcription.
The average pay on these websites ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 per month and all of them offer flexible hours. So, if translating is not your cup of your tea, there are still various options you can try, to monetize your linguistic competencies. You just have to try! Why? Because imagine being able to speak two languages and to start losing some of your vocabularies… some people would say that you’re bilingual.
How much does an Online Translator make?
Translators earn $20.06 per hour on average, though wages could range from $7.25 to $51 per hour. These averages are based on Indeed Salaries submitted anonymously from users, employees, and job postings from the past 36 months. 446 salaries were submitted, and translators typically work with one employer for less than a year.
As of Oct 5, 2022, the average annual pay for an Online Translator in the United States is $79,012 a year.
Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $37.99 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,519/week or $6,584/month.
Drawbacks
Unless you are operating your own website or agency, freelance translating means you have little control over how much you are paid. This can sometimes be frustrating as you may get paid less than what you are worth.
FAQ for Translators
What’s the difference between a translator and an interpreter?
It is a common misconception that translators and interpreters are the same. While translation and interpreting are closely related, they are performed by different language experts. The main difference between translators and interpreters is what they translate. Interpreters usually work in real-time situations, translating verbal conversations, while translators interpret written communication.
What are some important skills for translators to have?
Successful translators must have strong reading and writing skills to be able to read, comprehend and write effectively in all of the languages they work with. Translating is more than just knowing words—it’s having an understanding of the culture as well, so they must possess high levels of cultural awareness and sensitivity. They should also have a general business and interpersonal skills to communicate and work with clients.
What languages are in high demand for translators?
The need for translation services continues to grow worldwide. Spanish is in high demand, especially in the United States, which borders one of the largest Spanish-speaking countries in the world. Mandarin is another language in demand, especially in international business. In addition to Spanish and Chinese, German is also in high demand due to the complexity of the language and the growing economy in Germany.
How can I get experience before starting to work from home as a translator?
If you have the necessary qualifications but lack a decent amount of experience, you should probably consider doing an internship in a professional translation company. Another way to get experience to enable you to work from home as a translator is to volunteer. Some charities might have low-risk documents that can be translated by those who lack basic experience.
How can I find clients once I’m ready for translation work at home?
Once you have the qualifications and enough experience to begin to work from home as a translator, you need to set sail and start searching for clients. Most translators use one of the following techniques to find prospects:
Sending e-mails or submission forms:
Some translation agencies require their potential providers to either submit an online form or send them an e-mail containing their CV and a cover letter. Some agencies also require translators to take a translation test. You can simply search for translation companies online and send out cold e-mails and registration forms.
ProZ:
Alternatively, you can create a profile with a translation association and let the clients come to you. ProZ is the world’s leading translation community and offers freelance translators, as well as translation companies, free registration. You can also apply for membership in translators’ associations to embellish your CV and add credibility to your working status. Conferences: Many translation associations hold annual conferences attended by freelance translators, as well as translation companies. This allows both parties to find each other and establish an interpersonal relationship that could lead to future collaboration as a freelance translator. You can create a business card as a professional freelance translator and hand it out during important events.
Sources:
Entrepreneur https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/starting-a-business/how-to-become-a-freelance-translator/344312
Indeed https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-translator
Pangeanic https://blog.pangeanic.com/translation-work-from-home
ZipRecruiter https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Online-Translator-Salary
Money Magpie https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/make-money-online-translator
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