Poll: Which of these do you find the least difficult? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Which of these do you find the least difficult?".
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Negotiating rates with a new client | May 8, 2020 |
I feel that I'm in the driver's seat because I don't have to do their work if I don't want to. | | |
I find none of these difficult at all | May 8, 2020 |
Negotiating is an integral part of a translator’s life, either with a new client or with a long-standing one. I don’t like to have to remind my clients about payments and fortunately I don’t have to do it often but it’s not difficult at all… | | |
Reminding clients of overdue payments! | May 8, 2020 |
I dislike sending reminders, but I take a deep breath and send a short mail, then it's done. Nothing difficult there! It only rarely happens, but hey, I have delivered my side of the bargain, and I expect to be paid. Usually an apology arrives at once and the money is in the bank next day. Negotiating rates is far more tricky! I have to workout a realistic rate for the job (one I can live with, but at a level the client will pay...) I don't have a one-size-fits-all rate becaus... See more I dislike sending reminders, but I take a deep breath and send a short mail, then it's done. Nothing difficult there! It only rarely happens, but hey, I have delivered my side of the bargain, and I expect to be paid. Usually an apology arrives at once and the money is in the bank next day. Negotiating rates is far more tricky! I have to workout a realistic rate for the job (one I can live with, but at a level the client will pay...) I don't have a one-size-fits-all rate because I deliver a tailored service. Raising rates with long-term customers - without losing the client - is most difficult of all, and I admit, I occasionally prefer to keep a good client, even if the rate is not very high. I benefit in other ways, because I can work faster, or there is a minimum of unpaid hassle, and it works out anyway. ▲ Collapse | |
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Reminding clients about overdue payments. | May 8, 2020 |
the one I find the least difficult but I hate doing it though I do it and clients usually then pay and pay the next one which will not be due yet together with the overdue one and I appreciate that. I find raising rates is difficult if I do not want to lose a client; otherwise no problem but I explain why it is necessary for me. | | |
Tom in London United Kingdom Local time: 23:06 Member (2008) Italian to English
None of them. I just do them. Difficulty or otherwise does not come into the equation.
[Edited at 2020-05-08 12:00 GMT] | | |
Angus Stewart United Kingdom Local time: 23:06 Member (2011) French to English + ... Reminding clients of an overdue payment | May 8, 2020 |
For me this is the least difficult thing to do. After all I honoured my side of the bargain so it is time for the client to honour theirs. | | |
My accountant tells me his fee. We don't negotiate. I do the same with my clients. Late payments, when such things occur, are uncomfortable. | |
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Mario Freitas Brazil Local time: 19:06 Member (2014) English to Portuguese + ... Negotiating with old clients, because... | May 9, 2020 |
Negotiating rates with new clients and reminding clients of overdue payments are two uncomfortable tasks we have to deal with regularly. However, they usually lead to positive results. I find that trying to negotiate rates with old clients is the hardest one of all, and usually effectless. | | |