Working with a freelancer: how to prepare for a translation project

I'll let you in on a secret: most of my clients come to me because they already know they need a translation.

Like you, perhaps. You're not waiting for me to tell you how important translation is. You know that. You've done your research. That's why you're here on my website. You know what you want to achieve, roughly how you can get there, AND that you need someone with a particular skillset to make it happen.

But maybe you haven't worked with a translator before, so you're not quite sure what to expect or how we mystical beings work.

Every freelancer is different, but there are a few key pieces of information I ask my clients for before starting any project:

What are we working on?

For translation, this means how much content is there to translate (in words)? What type of text is it? Will it be printed or a voiceover, is it technical or creative? If you haven't finished writing it yet, could you send over a small section, or a draft?

What's your timeline?

Before we get started, I need to know that I can commit the time required to deliver this project within your desired timeframe. If you have a hard deadline, or other dependencies, let me know as soon as possible so we can make sure there's time to squeeze in translation, proofreading and your feedback!

Do you have a budget in mind?

If you have a budget that just won't budge, let me know! I quote for projects on a case-by-case basis, which means I can create a package that balances your needs with the different ways in which I can help you.

Who are we writing for?

Whether you're a museum wanting to attract more English-speaking visitors, a charity that wants to reach more gen-z champions, or an energy company who wants to encourage uptake of more renewables - this information is key and helps set the scene.

For translation, that's often part and parcel. Your target audience is, of course, English speakers. But it's still useful to know whether they will be native speakers, or even adults or children, so that we can tailor the language accordingly.

Can you share some examples?

Do you have a briefing document? How about some reference material to demonstrate your tone of voice or preferred style? Any examples of work you've seen and want to take inspiration from? Are there any existing translations or glossaries that I need to be consistent with? Send them over! It's much better to have too much insight than not enough.

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Sharing as much of this information as possible before we get started helps make sure we're on the same page from the very beginning. It avoids unnecessary back-and-forth, or questions and clarifications further down the line, which means I can spend more time doing what I do best - making your words work for you!

Feeling ready to get started? Send me an email amy@culturecurious.co.uk.