Even before the crisis, some colleagues provided additional services to their clients. Most often, they opted for jobs related to translations. The crisis, in itself, was not always the reason for such a decision, but the motives were often individual: excess time / „idling“ / expanding the scope of work / additional income / creative work / anti-stress / balance… Some of these side activities are clearly defined in the Chamber of Commerce and it is possible to add them – often free of charge – as codes to the main activity. For some activities, however, a work / mediation / commission contract is concluded, and some bring „only“ a friendly return service (meaning they are not officially put on paper). The text lists those that I encountered most often in practice and that were the „most popular“ among colleagues.
Administrative services
A large number of students as well as scientific workers/academics often turn to the translator with a request to retype the manuscript because even today they write their texts/scientific papers by hand and type with two fingers on the computer (which takes a lot of time). Typing usually includes text formatting / proofreading. Actually, that is what translators normally do and rarely charge for separately.
Intermediation
What is mediation? The simplest form is to find several companies (most often 3) from the branch that interests the client and which are located in the country where you live / whose language you translate. It means simple data collection (company name, contact, product information, how it is quoted on the market, etc.). Those 3 companies may already be in your database because you have cooperated with them, and if not, a large amount of information can be found on the Internet, on the website of the Chamber of Commerce / Association of Businessmen. In this case, it is necessary to check whether the data of these companies have been updated and whether they are still operating (whether the phone number is in operation, whether the company is in bankruptcy, etc.) and also to inform the client that this service does not represent a guarantee quality / success. Abroad, these 3 contacts were charged around €50.
The next level in mediation would be negotiation, where you practically visit the same companies (sometimes together with the client, sometimes not), but instead of the role of translator – you negotiate on his behalf (practically, the client gives you full freedom in expressing / formulating wishes and intentions). I would recommend this step with great caution, because negotiations (and even „just“ translation) carry with them a huge responsibility for the success / failure of those same negotiations. There are also cases when failure is expected, both parties are in a hopeless situation, relations have worsened, there has been a conflict or a court process has already started, and it may happen that precisely for this reason the company decides to hire someone who is a total outsider as a negotiator and practically, on this task, he will appear „once“ – just for the sake of order. It is not always possible to assess why exactly the company hires us (and what kind of task they send us for), because the information previously provided is often unfortunately scanty. For this reason, it is always better to take small steps, to do smaller administrative tasks – until it becomes clear what you are capable of or until you gain enough experience / complete another seminar / training relevant to the activity in question.
The third level is in the form of an external associate of a company when the translator / negotiator (relatively) independently acts / negotiates / finds potential customers / promotes products / exhibits samples / represents the company abroad. In this case, a special contract is concluded (obligations, duties, jurisdiction, restrictions, payment (percentage or fixed), etc.), depending on whether the intermediary is in some way in the role of a „commercial traveler“ or has an office (means seat) whose costs are paid by the company.
Another form of mediation is advertising / giving recommendations for products / services of other companies / private individuals. In this case too, it is necessary to clearly demarcate and define exactly what you are doing (and how far these same recommendations reach), because often this act is also considered a guarantee (e.g. that cooperation with someone will succeed, that the product is of high quality, that it meets the needs of the user, etc. ). A large number of translators always have a pile of business cards, flyers, brochures on their desk… All this advertising material comes from clients who want to advertise by word of mouth, believe in this traditional way of promotion and are ready to allocate a percentage of selling. Some colleagues were paid for this „work“ or they received a service in return (free treatments, discounts in stores, trips, membership fees, etc.).
Consulting
I see consulting as one big „jack of all trades“ (forgive me experts) because it also includes advisory and mediation services and organization and promotion… For example: the client on whose behalf you mediate comes to your city and it is necessary that you provide for his company’s account accommodation in a hotel, you book 2 different restaurants, you organize a promotion / tasting of products in several companies that represent the target group, and you also want to exhibit these same products at the upcoming fair. Specifically, this example includes everything: from endless phone calls / emails, translation, design and printing of advertising material (organizing / ordering the same), scheduling meetings, coordination of all participants and, in general, organization of all activities. For the realization of such a project, it is desirable to have, in addition to acquaintances, similar work experience and also the necessary help (it means realistically looking at the scope of the project and, where necessary, hiring collaborators).
Design
Private lessons
A large number of translators hold private lessons and generate quite solid side income. The advantage of this job is that clients (mostly students) come alone and it is relatively easy to advertise additionally. Of course, there is another side of the coin and it concerns the time invested: preparation of the lesson, the lesson itself and then the checking of the homework plus constant learning. In addition, it is desirable to know teaching methodology as well as cognitive psychology, adult learning psychology (in case your students are already in their mature years).
Cultural and artistic societies, international and humanitarian organizations
If, due to the nature of your work, you already have contacts in the country and abroad, membership in similar organizations (although it does not always bring direct monetary earnings), often brings counter-services, discounts, various benefits, and in the event that someone needs a translation, as a member, you are usually the first choice (and that job is paid). Members who help in the organization of various events are also paid for their work. The difficulty is that the organization itself requires a lot of time and includes practically everything – from arrival / departure, accommodation, meals, sightseeing, guests / speakers at the event, program planning (folklore, performers, service), forecasting costs, finding sponsors, etc. .
Organization of workshops / seminars
Even if you „only“ have your own office space, you can occasionally rent it out and invite lecturers (psychologists, managers, economists, etc.) as guests who will pass on their knowledge to small groups of participants at these workshops.
Evaluation
Diaspora
Remote jobs: on the website www.fiverr.com (but also on other websites) you can find offers for jobs that you can perform in your city / your country even though the client’s seat is in another country. Some of these jobs are in the field, some are related to design, some are writing / translating or virtual assistants…
Journalism
A large number of journalists are engaged in translation. Some translators are also involved in journalism, writing for newspapers/magazines or reporting from the country they are in. Of course, every beginning is difficult – so is writing articles… Some colleagues started by publishing articles (even for free) in „young“ newspapers, while later, when they had already made a name for themselves, they continued with several articles a month in already well-known newspapers – until they started to generate steady income.
Writing
Mystery shopper
A very popular occupation in some countries (especially as a student job or sideline). It is about the purchase of certain products with the evaluation of all accompanying services (how the product is displayed, where it is placed (at eye level or not – visible or not), whether the saleswoman is friendly, whether the store is nicely decorated and, as follows, attracts customers…). The disadvantage of this work is that it is done according to the project principle and there is no constant / clearly defined influx / frequency of them.
Call center
Tourism
If you translate one of the languages of the Mediterranean countries (and live in the same one), it is often the case that clients ask you to find them accommodation, book a hotel, recommend a tavern, shop, etc. Also, property owners in these countries (those who rent out their properties) can ask you to find them clients (guests) for the next season (again that word-of-mouth advertisement). The problem with this secondary activity is that it is difficult to define it, then to separate it from the friendly service of one phone call (which in practice is rarely only one) and then to charge for it. I personally did not charge it, and as compensation from satisfied clients, I had a free vacation in beautiful villas with a private beach and in hotels on the very coast (hoteliers are often sued and represent long-term clients of translation agencies because court proceedings take a long time…). And if I had the opportunity to mediate in this „activity“ again, I would never charge for it – I would choose „compensation“ at the sea again… The translation profession sometimes has its good sides…
Creative work (this could also be called „What do we do when we’re not working“)
Real estate
Mediation in buying and selling / renting real estate / finding locations, prices, favorable offers, etc. for the account of the client abroad. In some countries, it is allowed to mediate in real estate affairs with a simple signing of the contract (it is practically a „one-time mediation“), where the mediator receives a percentage (of 2 – 4%). So this activity (in Greece) was not necessary to be registered separately.
Expense reduction
Why to start a second job?
If money is the only motive, it’s not too bad to make a conscious decision to be in the business for that reason alone. Personally, I don’t have bad experiences in working with people who simply do what they need to do and are there for the sake of making money (without investing emotions, approaching calmly and even coldly). However, there is a big difference between people who work for money (with a neutral approach) and those who hate what they do and still do it… And this is usually an indication that the job is „not for them“ (to say the least). The best combination is to love what we do and at the same time make money from it…
The best career advice: Find what you like to do the most, and find someone who will pay you for it! Katharine Whitehorn
How to do side jobs?
Professionally. Just like translations (main activity).
Relevant with instant advice from various gurus ‚‚How to turn a hobby into a business‚‚ and how to do what we love so everything will fall into place – it won’t. I agree that a positive approach to life is also important. And that positive energy is noticeable and considered desirable. But neither „positivity“ nor a good mood (and I speak from experience) do not guarantee that the entrepreneur who has taken on the responsibility to do what the client asked him to do is really capable of doing it, has knowledge, experience, respects deadlines, is consistent, behaves responsibly… A good mood means that the entrepreneur is in a good mood today. It does not represent a guarantee that he is both competent and consistent and works responsibly in the long run.
„It’s not a problem to get a job, the point is to keep getting a job.“ – Anonymous author.
How to introduce yourself?
How to present yourself in written form and how to avoid „generalism“ / the risk that the client classifies us as a „friendly boy“ who knows everything and does all the work (while later, when the inflow from these side jobs becomes regular, it will be very difficult to set strict boundaries and not allow the client to go too far in their requests because no, no one does all the work…). As follows, it is necessary to set up and lay the foundations at the beginning; modestly (without great fanfare because some clients comment negatively on every step forward with „well-intentioned“ advice and questions about whether we are still „real“ translators); then structured, strictly defined, without great gasification; the offer on the business card / flyer must be concise; activities concisely presented and „harmonized“ (without major deviations and variety of jobs); jobs compatible with each other.
Examples:
- Petar Petrović, consulting, translation and supporting administrative services.
- Branko Branković, translations, text formatting, design of advertising material
Less successful examples:
-
Petar Petrović, football coach, manager and translator
-
Marija Marinković, making unique jewelry, translations, real estate rental
And once again, presenting…
In short: the question is whether we have measures and whether we are aware of what we know and can do and what we can’t or it is not our area of expertise (and we will politely inform the client and practically refuse some tasks – thus preserving our reputation and credibility).
I’ve made a lot more money by choosing things to say NO to than choosing things to say yes to. I say earned, because by saying NO, I didn’t lose money and I didn’t sacrifice quality! Danny Meyer
Competition
Every ‚‚invasion‚‚ into a new branch of a (until yesterday) translator, who today is an inexperienced beginner in that profession, is noticed. In practice, this means that those who have been there for many years will see you as competition and some even as an intruder who „steals their jobs“. And not everyone will be willing to spare their time and share their experience with you / instruct you in the secrets of that profession. Extreme reactions are also possible (reporting to the competent authorities, checking whether your additional activity is legally registered, whether you have the necessary certificates, etc.).
Finally, there is no universal answer to the question of how to step out of the role of translator while maintaining the same role… Our perception is subjective, including the one directed towards ourselves. How do we see ourselves? Are we able to maintain a balance, organize time well and achieve to provide quality services to all our clients (and these new ones)… At the same time, taking into account our physical and mental health, existence, balance between the time dedicated to all these additional activities and us alone…
…because,