The document provides advice for new translators on how to set up a successful translation business by overcoming common issues faced by newcomers to the industry. It covers gaining experience through internships and volunteering, researching industry knowledge and legal/tax requirements, planning administration through objectives and tracking tools, finding and keeping clients through targeted outreach, and maintaining a confident entrepreneurial mindset. The overall message is that new translators can succeed by gaining experience, understanding the industry, running their business professionally, and marketing themselves effectively to clients.

1. Moving the first steps in the
translation industry
How to set up a solid business and overcome
the issues that ‘newbies’ commonly face
MARTINA ECO
martina@3p-translation.com

2. ABOUT ME
 Italian translator & interpreter (IT, EN, FR)
 London, UK
 3P Translation
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
Facebook: 3P Translation
Twitter: @3P_Translation
Web: 3p-translation.com

3. TODAY’S TOPIC
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
How to set up a solid business and overcome
the issues that ‘newbies’ commonly face
MOVING THE FIRST STEPS IN
THE TRANSLATION INDUSTRY

4. OVERVIEW
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
EXPERIENCE
how to build it and sell it, traps
KNOWLEDGE
industry, market, tax & legal
ADMIN
planning & organising
CLIENTS
how to find, approach and keep them
YOU
mindset & confidence

5. EXPERIENCE
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
NO EXPERIENCE
NO WORK

6. EXPERIENCE
You DO have experience
Studies
On-the-job training
Other jobs
Experiences abroad
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

7. BUILDING EXPERIENCE
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
INTERNSHIPS
EU
UN
Translation agencies
VOLUNTEERING
La Via Campesina
Agape Centro Ecumenico
Translators Without Borders

8. INEXPERIENCE TRAPS
 Working for free
 Working for peanuts
 Accepting ridiculous conditions
 Not researching!
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

9. Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
EXPERIENCE
how to build it and sell it, traps
KNOWLEDGE
industry, market, tax & legal
ADMIN
planning & organising
CLIENTS
how to find, approach and keep them
YOU
mindset & confidence

10. KNOWLEDGE
 Institutional websites (EU,
gov.uk)
 Business press
 Agencies and translators’
websites
 Associations
 Online groups
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
RESEARCH!
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK!

11. LEGAL AND TAX REQUIREMENTS
 Find information
online (HRMC for the
UK)
 Consult an
accountant
 Support structures in
universities
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

12. OVERVIEW
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
EXPERIENCE
how to build it and sell it, traps
KNOWLEDGE
industry, market, tax&legal
ADMIN
planning & organising
CLIENTS
how to find, approach and keep them
YOU
mindset & confidence

13. PLANNING
 OBJECTIVES
 TIME
 BUDGET
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
THE KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL
STRATEGIC PLANNING

14. ORGANISING AND KEEPING TRACK
 To-do lists
 Excel databases
 Alerts
 Notice board & post-its
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
Use this QR code to download Excel templates or go to
www.3p-translation.com/resources-language-show/

15. Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
EXPERIENCE
how to build it and sell it, traps
KNOWLEDGE
industry, market, tax & legal
ADMIN
planning & organising
CLIENTS
how to find, approach and keep them
YOU
mindset & confidence

16. CLIENTS
TRANSLATION
AGENCIES
 Easier to approach
 Lower rates and tighter
deadlines
 Less bargaining power
 Own terms & conditions
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
DIRECT CLIENTS
 Harder to approach
 Higher rates and
better deadlines
 More bargaining
power
 Your terms &
conditions

17. MY EXPERIENCE
 Low response rate
 Lower conversion rate
EVERY CLOUD HAS
A SILVER LINING
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

18. HOW TO APPROACH CLIENTS
 Think of yourself as the SOLUTION to their
PROBLEM
 They need to know you will SATISFY their
NEEDS
 Highlight your VALUE to them
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

19. HOW TO APPROACH CLIENTS
 KEEP IT SIMPLE!
 Make it personal
 Be polite, be friendly, be professional
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

20. CV: what not to do
 Overwhelming information
 Irrelevant information
 All work experiences &
education
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

21. CV: what to do
 KEEP IT SIMPLE
 KEEP IT SHORT
 KEEP IT RELEVANT
 BE CREATIVE
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

22. MY APPROACH
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
 Simple, clear,
concise, personal
email & new CV
 Long, unclear,
impersonal email &
old CV
7.5%
RESPONSE
1%
CONVERSION
30%
RESPONSE
10%
CONVERSION

23. KEEPING CLIENTS
 Always deliver high
quality
 Respect deadlines
 Act as a business
partner, not as a job
seeker or employee
 Show your added value
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

24. Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
EXPERIENCE
how to build it and sell it, traps
KNOWLEDGE
industry, market, tax & legal
ADMIN
planning & organising
CLIENTS
how to find, approach and keep them
YOU
mindset & confidence

25. BUSINESS MINDSET
YOU ARE AN
ENTREPRENEUR
Commit fully
Understand strengths and
weaknesses
Get creative
Network
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

26. KNOW YOURSELF
 Know your skills
 Know your value
 Know your potential
 Know your limits
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

27. BE CONFIDENT!
Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com

28. Martina Eco | 3P Translation | martina@3p-translation.com
For questions and comments: martina@3p-translation.com