Over the past few years, translation services have skyrocketed and freelancers are taking full advantage of the flood of new potential projects.
And making nice money, too.
ProZ.com has a list of average dollar amount per hour translators get based on what language they're translating to.
It looks like English to Sign Language is the highest paid, at an average rate of $68.00/hr.
But this doesn't mean you cannot charge what you see fit for your business.
These guerrilla marketing tactics can help you get added exposure for your business, help you stand out compared to other freelancers and let you set a premium price for your services.
Additional Reading: Dare to be Different: A Guerrilla Freelancer's Manifesto
Speak their language
Create a business card with your marketing copy, written in the language that you can translate to (ex: French).
Next, add a note saying something along the lines of "curious? Let me translate it for you" with a link to your website and email/phone contact.
Curate Content
What you're going to want to do here is simple in theory, but takes time in practice.
In the industry you want to translate for the most, start a weekly email newsletter of curated content - links and brief descriptions of each article - and promote it to your target market.
They win because they'll get all of the need-to-know information in one email from you, and you'll have a foot in the door where you can market your translation services, either directly or indirectly via an ad in the email, etc.
Give the gift of translated text
This is a great idea if you're looking to expand into a new market. Send out a coupon code/card that can be redeemed from you for one free page of translation.
This is a simple way to get the buyer in the door, and close the sale.
Always. Be. Closing.
Case Studies
While most freelancers overlook the power of case studies, I want you to stop and take a second to understand the benefits.
Not only do you get to show off your work, but you get to drive extra traffic to it. You're also promoting your client since everyone who reads the case study will know about their work.
What client doesn't want free promo to go along with your talented translating Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Translate Businesses Branding
Hear me out here, OK?
Take different phrases like Nike's Just Do It or Apple's Think Different. and team up with a designer who can create awesome illustrations based on your translations of the icons brands.
This will attract some extra attention because of the illustrations, but will also get your freelance translation business some of the spotlight as well.
Build a beautiful website
This sounds like a no-brainer, right? But with the amount of translators and copywriters focusing solely on the words, there's a severe disconnect with what can help your freelance business visually.
Find a skilled WordPress designer, get a custom theme create and start blogging on it. Not only will the visual appeal draw visitors in, but the blog will too.
Make referrals easy
Pass along some business cards, or a specially created landing page for your client to use if they'd like to promote your services to their friends.
You could give them a cut of each sale they drive in, effectively making the word of mouth of your customers your new sales department.
Publish an eBook
There's a specific tactic to writing the eBook that will generate you more leads, and more profit.
This eBook can be something along the lines of "7 Translation Facts Every Business Owner Should Know", outlining the benefits of translation services like the one your freelance business offers.
This gives the reader some free knowledge, with an underlying "hire me" tone, driving new business sales and gaining added exposure for yourself, and your business.
Live-Translate an event
Find out when the next big event in your industry is and put your translation skills to use.
For instance, the next time Apple puts on an event to push a new product down your throat, you could spend some time on social media translating the big notes from the event.
Toss in a memorable hashtag, like #ITranslate, along with the event's hashtags and build some extra awareness for your business.
Extend the reach of music
Do you like a certain genre of music and feel like the lyrics could help somebody out who speaks a different language? Well then, you're in luck!
Take some time and translate your favorite 10-20 songs, uploading the music to youtube with your translation (and website link) in the description.
This method might not lead to direct sales, but it's great branding and social proof that your translations are good (especially if one of the videos gets a lot of views).
The Guerrilla Marketing Tactics For Freelancers Series
I want to say thanks to Thierry Destinobles for sending in the request for some guerrilla marketing tactics for freelance translators.
I've been thinking about the Guerrilla Marketing Tactics for Freelancers content and what to cover next, so this definitely helped me get the creative juices flowing.
If you liked this article, or are looking for guerrilla marketing tactics for your specific field, check out the articles from this series below.
- 10 Guerrilla Marketing Tactics for Designers
- 10 Guerrilla Marketing Tactics for Illustrators
- 10 Guerrilla Marketing Tactics for Copywriters
- 10 Guerrilla Marketing Tactics for Photographers
- 10 Guerrilla Marketing Tactics for Videographers
Don't see yours? Get in touch and let me know.
Need even more marketing ideas?
Download our 50 Guerrilla Marketing Tactics For Freelancers eBook now.