What to do when a client asks for a "free favor"

March_ts

Hi there TOMers! ?
I read this blog post by The Savvy Newcomer with tips on translation favors for clients. I found it really useful, as I've experienced this type of situation myself. Sometimes I didn't know what to say to clients who asked me for free favors in which I had to invest quite a lot of time without any reward, only because I didn't want to lose them. On the other hand, I don't mind doing it if it's an easy task and a valuable client. But it's not always easy to decide.

What do you think? Share your experiences! ?

alyonaxl8

March_ts I have a rule about it. I can do something for free only if I'm sure it will take me 5 minutes or less and only if it's not an actual project that the client should pay for. For example, I once was asked (by an agency I hadn't worked with previously but done a test translation for) to compare one sentence translation against source because the PM thought that a word was missing. It took me less than a minute to read and answer their question, basically the same time I'd spend writing "Sorry I don't want to work for free". It was easy for me and I think I made a good impression because they now actually send projects my way. Have they asked to translate that sentence I'd refuse.

March_ts

alyonaxl8 I see, that's a really good example. Thanks ?

eleonorang I also do free one sentence translations for clients which provide me with a steady and decent amount of work

Me too! If it is a short sentence here and there, I don't mind at all!

Dmitry

alyonaxl8 I have a rule about it. I can do something for free only if I'm sure it will take me 5 minutes or less and only if it's not an actual project that the client should pay for.

That's an excellent rule @alyonaxl8 and I basically do the same thing when a new or existing client asks me for a small favor. Actually, I often receive messages either on my website or on my Business Page on Facebook where people ask me to translate one-two words. I normally do it, but I let them know that I'm doing them a favor and that normally Id charge my minimum fee of 35 USD for that. This achieves two things:

Teaches them a lesson that translation is actually a paid service so they should expect to pay for it;
Gives them a feeling that they just received something of value that shouldn't be free, but it was for them, which makes them very happy and grateful; ?

eleonorang

Hey, @March_ts ! Luckily I don't find myself very often in that position, but in general, I agree with @alyonaxl8 on the time factor: if it really requires the slightest amount of time to do it, why shouldn't I?

Truth be told, I also do free one sentence translations for clients which provide me with a steady and decent amount of work. I know that translation is actually what I should be charging for, but as long as the favor is asked once or twice a year tops and it doesn't impact the income I receive from that one client, I don't feel like I'm doing anything bad to myself or my business.

March_ts

Dmitry Teaches them a lesson that translation is actually a paid service so they should expect to pay for it;

Some people just don't understand that translation is also a job, it really upsets me ?

nancy_matis thanks for the advice! Sometimes I feel awkward telling my client that I cannot do it for free, but eventually I overcome that feeling, because I have to stand up for myself and my work ?

Gentiana the "cup of coffee" reference, that's a good one, thanks! ☕ ?

DmitrySavin I know, I know, but sometimes I'm such a pushover... Maybe it's because I'm young and I want to please the clients... ?

nancy_matis

I think it can be granted from time to time, but it's important to make the client understand that this is exceptional and that it's wiser to group his small requests. Not always easy for them, but from time to time, they indeed wait for a few more days in order to send more than a single sentence to translate ;-).

Gentiana

I think that you can do it when the favor don't exceed the time of having a cup of coffee, or when it benefits you. Last month I agreed to translate 1 page for free because the translation company that asked for this translation was participating in a translation tender (big client). I said OK because if this tender is won, the agency will work with me.

DmitrySavin

I agree with @alyonaxl8 and @Dmitry - do small favor is not a bad thing and I'm always happy to help client this way, especially if other sides of our collaboration are perfect. But one shouldn't allow clients to overuse it.

DmitrySavin

March_ts Hehe, I think it's not a bad thing and shows that you're good person ? But not allow others to "ride on your neck" ? (I actually have problems with that too, sometimes really too much ? )

March_ts

DmitrySavin But not allow others to "ride on your neck" ? (I actually have problems with that too, sometimes really too much ? )

Good to know I'm not the only one ?

ClaudiaBefu But I like to choose myself where I do my pro-bono hours. For example, I don't mind putting in some hours for Khan Academy, a free education website

I agree, I prefer to choose who I work for if I'm doing it for free. I collaborate with a Spanish NGO that helps African women who come to Madrid with no means of living. But I also agree that translating a few words for free, as long as it doesn't take too much time, is perfectly fine.

ClaudiaBefu

I also think that every service that earns the customer a buck, should also earn the language specialist a buck... Everyone of us is a good person, and I think that we wouldn't hesitate to do someone a favour. But I like to choose myself where I do my pro-bono hours. For example, I don't mind putting in some hours for Khan Academy, a free education website.