Hello, everyone! Hope you are enjoying a nice week. I spent many years as an in-house translator, but now I am starting as a freelancer and I am a little bit confused about some aspects. Hope, experienced people will help. So, my question is regarding the translation samples and references to the clients. First of all, when you send translation samples to your clients, are these the samples from your previous projects or are they translated by you on purpose just to be sent as samples? I wonder because usually we sign confidentiality agreements, so I don´t know if we have right to send the text to somebody else. And the second question is about the references. I have a humble website, so could I mention the companies I performed the translations for on my website? Because I translate a lot for big international companies but through agencies, so I don´t know if I can use their names or should I put the agencies´ names? Is it allowed in general? Thank you!!! Natalia

NatiS Hi @NatiS and welcome to our forum! Lovely to have you here! NatiS So, my question is regarding the translation samples and references to the clients. First of all, when you send translation samples to your clients, are these the samples from your previous projects or are they translated by you on purpose just to be sent as samples? I wonder because usually we sign confidentiality agreements, so I don´t know if we have right to send the text to somebody else. I believe in that situation it's always better to ask your existing clients for their permission to use your previous work as a sample. Just send your existing client an email, saying "Hey, I'm building my online portfolio and I was wondering if I could use the texts from your project as an example" You can even create several samples with different bits of text and send your previous client for their approval prior to making them available publicly. Another way is to take a piece of text that is in public domain, matches your area of expertise and haven't been translated yet and translate it for the purposes of using it as a sample. Although in that case I'm not sure if you'll be able to make that sample public (because technically you need the permission of text's author to use it), but I believe if it's shared privately with a prospective client, then there shouldn't be any problems. You can also ask the prospective client to give you a test and show them how well you can translate. NatiS I have a humble website, so could I mention the companies I performed the translations for on my website? Because I translate a lot for big international companies but through agencies, so I don´t know if I can use their names or should I put the agencies´ names? Is it allowed in general? You can't use the logos of the end client because you haven' worked for them. You worked for an agency and you could ask them to include their logo. Rule of thumb : always ask for permission ? P.S.: As far as website goes, I found that testimonials with real people and real faces are more powerful than logos. Just my 2 cents. I hope some of other forum dwellers will give you additional tips ?

Dmitry Thank you for your help, Dmitry! I wasn´t sure about this part, but now I understand it better.

NatiS Glad I could help @NatiS ! If you have any other questions feel free to ask them here or start a new discussion. ?

NatiS Hi Natalia, welcome! Although @Dmitry has already replied extensively, let me link for you this recent publication directly from The Open Mic regarding sample translations and how to get them https://theopenmic.co/sample-translations-how-and-where-to-get/ This way you can get to know more and also comment to ask the author any questions, if you'd like Generally speaking, if you have signed a NDA upon starting a collaboration with an agency, you may not disclose any information about end clients, and that includes portions of texts. Check if there are agencies which haven't requested you to sign anything - it happens more frequently than you'd think - and in that case you should be good to go. I also happen to know that the portal TM Town offers texts of various subjects to be translated as samples. Of course you must be a member to access this service. As to references, I'm afraid you cannot put the end client's name on your website, but you could definitely ask agencies for feedbacks and comments on your work and then insert quotes. If you receive feedback through Proz.com and have clients which have expressed their willingness to work again with you, you can link that corresponding Proz page in your website ?

Translation samples and references

Dmitry

eleonorang I also happen to know that the portal TM Town offers texts of various subjects to be translated as samples. Of course you must be a member to access this service.

Didn't know that! Could be handy! Should we develop something similar for TOM? ?

eleonorang If you receive feedback through Proz.com and have clients which have expressed their willingness to work again with you, you can link that corresponding Proz page in your website

We also have Reviews tab on The Open Mic, you could invite your current clients to leave you a 5-star review! ?

eleonorang

Dmitry Didn't know that! Could be handy! Should we develop something similar for TOM? ?

That would be awesome!

Dmitry We also have Reviews tab on The Open Mic, you could invite your current clients to leave you a 5-star review! ?

I'd missed that one! I am going to use it myself soon ? Too often I think of asking clients for feedback and reviews and then I forget/let go!

Dmitry

eleonorang I'd missed that one! I am going to use it myself soon ? Too often I think of asking clients for feedback and reviews and then I forget/let go!

Well, then you're in luck, @eleonorang because I even added a Testimonial Request Sample ? Simply go back to The Open Mic, then go to Menu > Your Profile > Picture > Request Reviews

eleonorang

Way to go!! ?
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Dmitry

eleonorang Thank you! Still need to find some time to market this feature because something tells me no one knows about it ?

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eleonorang

Dmitry Either people don't know about it or they do use it but no review is received! Getting clients to leave you those is harder than you'd think... I tried with two of them (agencies) last week. It was as if I never existed -_-

Dmitry

eleonorang Getting clients to leave you those is harder than you'd think... I tried with two of them (agencies) last week. It was as if I never existed -_-

That's why you always follow up. It shows them that you care, and it's hard to ignore or "forget about" 2 emails from the same person in a row ?

eleonorang

Dmitry I suspect addressing the "team" does not work very well. If I concentrate I can imagine each one of them passing the hot potato to another ?

Dmitry

eleonorang Don't you have access to single PMs? Team inbox is often loaded with other important emails (like requests for quote from clients and whatnot), so I think when it comes to testimonials it's always better to write to a specific individual.

eleonorang

I tried one more time and managed to score # 1 feedback! Yay! I guess it's better than nothing.

Dmitry Don't you have access to single PMs?

I do and I have written to them personally once more. Those guys just won't answer though ?

Dmitry

eleonorang Those guys just won't answer though ?

Haha! They're playing hard to get ? I think it'll be ok to remind them one more time ? Did the first client send you their testimonial via email or left it on some platforms like Proz or The Open Mic?

eleonorang

Dmitry They chose Proz. I gave them several options hoping that they'd feel more willing to submit any feedback

Dmitry

eleonorang That's great! What about your personal website? I think it's much more effective to have that kind of feedback displayed on your personal website (it certainly builds trust).

eleonorang

Dmitry I do have reported those on my personal site as well. I just want to keep building my profile on Proz (and other websites) as well and I surely cannot insert feedback on my WWA page myself, that's why I prefer to go through those portals first ?

Dmitry

eleonorang Sounds like a good plan. Just need to make sure you always ask for feedback (something I often forget myself) ?