Translation as a Profession (Benjamins Translation Library)

Chapter 8. Of time and money 217In any case, translators just must get used to the idea of having to deal with upsand downs in demand and even try and put them to advantage. A lull in activity isthetimetoputarchivesinorder,updateresources(forinstancebycleaningupthetranslation memories for major clients) and more importantly, relentlessly lookfor new business. This alone will eventually increase the workload and pave theway to the translator’s nirvana, i.e. a situation where it is the client who has to finda slot in the translator’s work schedule, rather than the translator having to bow tothe vagaries of demand.Another solution is for the translator to rely on translation agencies andbrokers to supply regular work and cushion the ups and downs thanks to thenumbers and variety of their subcontractors. But this is only possible for top-ofthe-rangetranslators.Useful advice to translators1. You can only hope to manage your production and your tariffs if youknow what your productivity actually is in relation to various parameters(e.g. according to the circumstances and the type of materials to betranslated). To do this, you need to know your overall productivity andproductivitypertasksoastobeabletodetermine:– the income you want to generate and the necessary productivity gainswhich may be required,– the time requiredforeach job.2. Before drawing up an estimate, always ask the work provider for one ormore representative samples of the material for translation: this will helpassess the true cost of the job.3. Never work for less than the job is worth just because you happen to begoing through a slack period and you want to keep up your turnover andcover your overheads. This would be suicidal because:– Capital has a cost.– Selling a service is tantamount to lending money to your client untilhe pays the invoice. Cutting your profit margin means lending at rockbottom interest rates.– You may have to turn down more lucrative work while you finish abargain basement contract.– Working for two different rates means that you end up being your owncompetitor.– Cutting your rates means undercutting other translators and forcingdown tariffs across the board.– Your other clients will eventually find out that you have charged themhigher rates and will take their custom elsewhere.