Poll: Would you say it is more difficult for you to get new clients now than 2-3 years ago? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you say it is more difficult for you to get new clients now than 2-3 years ago?".
View the poll results »
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Kay Denney France Local time: 14:43 French to English
2 years ago we were in the midst of a pandemic and none the industries I specialise in were deemed essential, so I wasn't actually looking for clients, I was just waiting it out, luckily the French government gave compensatory handouts to keep me from starving. But still I can't really answer the question in that I'm not actually looking for new clients, so I don't know how hard it is now. | | |
Lieven Malaise Belgium Local time: 14:43 Member (2020) French to Dutch + ...
Until now clients have always come to me, so I wouldn't know.
[Edited at 2022-09-01 08:40 GMT] | | |
neilmac Spain Local time: 14:43 Spanish to English + ...
I didn't need any new clients 2-3 ago (i.e. before COVID), and I don't think I need any more clients nowadays than I have at the moment. However, if approached, I might be able to take one or more new clients (preferably not agencies though) on board, as long as they are willing to fit in with my current workload and modus operandi. | |
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I haven’t been seeking new clients for a while so I don't know if now is harder than before. I’m quite happy with the bunch of customers I have: interesting projects paid at my rates and on my conditions. Usually, clients come to me and when they do they will be more than welcome if we can agree on terms. Usually, they find me through word of mouth (referrals from colleagues and clients), ATA, Proz, TC and my website. | | |
I still keep getting new clients without looking for them, that is several each year. Most are coming via my ProZ.com profile or my website. I forgot to say that they are all international agencies, and that's my preferred clients.
[Edited at 2022-09-01 09:42 GMT] | | |
If only because I decided not to work with those who have contacted me, at least over the past year, when somewhere along the thread (and maybe even in their initial email) of negotiations they got stupid on me. I'd rather read, go for a walk around one of the nearby parks, work on my own personal literary projects, or answer other translators' questions, right here on proz, than have my time wasted like that. | | |
Ventnai Spain Local time: 14:43 German to English + ...
I haven't managed to capture new clients for some years now. If someone contacts me, they are usually looking for a much lower rate. It's been a very long time since I made any useful contacts via Proz. | |
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...like Ian said, nowadays, it is harder to find clients who are willing to pay you well. | | |
It is harder and unfortunately, most of the times you work for free because you never get paid. Some clients disappear after your work is done and do not even answer your messages. There should be some sort of black list for clients like this on Proz, since this is how they contact you.
[Editado a las 2022-09-01 18:32 GMT] | | |
That is why we have the Blue Board | Sep 1, 2022 |
Maria Constanza Alderetes wrote: It is harder and unfortunately, most of the times you work for free because you never get paid. Some clients disappear after your work is done and do not even answer your messages. There should be some sort of black list for clients like this on Proz, since this is how they contact you.
[Editado a las 2022-09-01 18:32 GMT] Don't you know that?
[Edited at 2022-09-01 21:14 GMT] | | |
Mario Freitas Brazil Local time: 09:43 Member (2014) English to Portuguese + ...
In terms of volume, the number of new contacts is actually higher. Yet, as mentioned by other colleagues, quality clients who pay decently are becoming more rare, as discounts for repetitions and MTPE jobs are becomming more and more regular in the market. | |
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Michael Newton United States Local time: 08:43 Japanese to English + ... Difficult to get clients? | Sep 2, 2022 |
I work in three languages (JA, RU, ZH) so I am more or less hedged against drops in demand for one language. I am also proactively engaged in marketing so the number of clients I have depends on the sweat of my brow. I do not work with bottom-feeding agencies which is most agencies. | | |
I have all the clients need right now, but the rates proposed by new clients are getting lower. That means that I getter harder find new clients that I would accept. | | |