The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/99426
FEATURES THE RIGHT IMPRESSION Getting the branding and logo right for Marta���s business (left) has helped to boost her career, as has participation at CIOL events ( far left) Besides, I was proud of my new business cards and I gave them to everyone. It soon paid back. June 2011: Launching a website Milestone: Hiring professional web designers With the help of my marketing consultant and a web development team, I finally had a professionally designed logo, business cards to go with it, letterhead, compliments slips, and my own digital marketing platform (yes, a website). The team I worked with made sure I was able to edit the text by myself and add or swap pages. With the little bit of copywriting knowledge I had, I wrote my first web copy. It turned out to be an SEO (search engine optimisation) disaster. I did my homework again and attended a few webinars on writing for the web. The benefits of having my own website (wantwords.co.uk) were apparent from day one. I felt more responsible for my business, I had space to present my qualifications and add elements from my portfolio. I was visible online to clients from all over the world. A professional Facebook page, Twitter account (@mstelmaszak) and LinkedIn profile followed. September 2011: Sharing experience Milestone: Writing an e-book As soon as I had my website, I started writing a blog (see wantwords.co.uk or google ���Business School for Translators���). Wanting to go further, I started writing an e-book, How to Write a Translator���s CV. Within 24 hours of publishing it, the book had become the most frequently shared document on Twitter. To date, it has been downloaded 10,000 times. I didn���t earn anything directly from writing the e-book, but I still think the returns were Vol/51 No/6 2012 great. My website jumped up in Google, I gained more followers on Twitter and Facebook, and colleagues started to recognise my name. I received an email from a client who had seen the e-book and wanted me to do some work. In the book I offered a free CV assessment. I made a lot of contacts that way. Many returned the favour by referring me to a few of their clients. I was invited to run a webinar on the topic and the fee for that partly offset the cost of spending so many unpaid hours writing the book. The benefits of having my own website were apparent from day one. I was visible to clients all over the world November 2011: Attending events Milestone: ���Interpreting for the Media��� event I was attending a healthy number of online events, talks and presentations, but I decided it was time to move to face-to-face meetings. One of the first events I went to was the extremely popular ���Interpreting for the Media��� event, organised by the CIOL���s Interpreting Division. I went there not knowing anyone and left with a few new colleagues and a bunch of business cards. I had never considered myself to be a chatty networker, but there I was, enjoying the atmosphere and exchanging ideas with like-minded people. I joined the division and InterpNet, and I would recommend that all interpreters do the same. In addition to events for linguists, I also go to events in my areas of specialisation ��� marketing, business and law ��� but it is important to be selective. I try to make sure that every event I attend is likely to bring me some business, not just more and more business cards. April 2012: Becoming involved Milestone: Joining the ID Committee I had some knowledge of social media and innovation from a number of courses I had attended, so I contacted the Interpreting Division and suggested running a session on using social media in the languages industry. Not only did I get to do a presentation, but I was also asked to join the division���s Management Committee. There were a few new responsibilities, but the feeling of becoming involved in the profession was immensely rewarding. October 2012: Being active Milestone: Language Show Live One thing leads to another, and I was asked to write a few articles and talk at some events. More than 200 people attended each of the two short presentations I gave at the Language Show Live, one on behalf of the CIOL. I also developed my blog, added online workshops and short videos, and started guest posting. It all resulted in more referrals. As we approach 2013, I should be listening to my business tutor and writing up a business plan for the coming year. I���m not. In the end, I���m a translator and interpreter, not a ninja entrepreneur. www.wantwords.co.uk DECEMBER/JANUARY The Linguist 21