How to succeed as a freelance translator

This is the title of Corinne McKay's book.  She is a certified transalator with the ATA and also offers a course on line for us beginners. 

Let me tell you this book has helped me so much! Everything from the basics of the industry to self promotion and starting and organizing your own business is covered.  There are tips on writing resumés and cover letters, marketing, invoicing, following up, CAT tools and much more.  When doing marketing I often refer back to her advice and suggestions. After reading this book and incorporating many of her suggestions I feel ready to take on the translation world!  I do.  I feel more confident sending out my CV now that it looks more polished (thanks to her I rearranged mine in a manner that highlights what I should have been all along!).  I don't expect an inbox of projects overnight, but, I am sure that I am on the right track and feel much more professional!

New word learned

I came across the word ampoulé the other day.  In English it has two meanings, one of which is turgid -meaning swelling in style or language; bombastic; pompous; vainly ostentacious. A turgid way of speaking, for example.  I have never used this word in either language.  The constant learning of new words and enriching my vocabulary is just another little reason I love translation.  Finding different and concise ways to convey what the client is needing to communicate is essential in this field.

Discouraging

It is so easy to get discouraged in this field.  Someone else got "the" project, you're not getting as much business as a fellow translator, your marketing strategies don't seem to be pulling in the clients.  I am in this stage right now.  I refuse to let it get to me though!  I know that sooner or later (much sooner would be nice thank you very much!) "the" project will come along where I will be the best candidate for the job. 

I was really hoping to be able to work less at my two other jobs and have translation be a primary source of income.  Tant pis.....I will give it another year or two and if I don't feel that is worth my while I will find something else to do utilizing by language skills.  In the meantime I put my CV up on Monster.com because you just never know who will need your services.