Comments on: Avoiding beginner’s mistakes

By: Corinne McKay

Corinne McKay — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:54:37 +0000

Hello Richie and thanks for your message. I’m actually working with BookBaby right now on a Kindle, iPad, etc. edition of my book. Thanks for asking!

By: RichieP

RichieP — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:04:18 +0000

Corinne,

Any plans to release a digital version of your book – Kindle or ebook?

I’m someone travelling the world long-term, running an internet marketing business. With a second language under my belt, when I was first looking for ways to earn income while travelling, I’d have read your book in a heartbeat. However, ordering the paperback while travelling is inconvenient, digital is much more accessible.

There’s quite a few “Digital Nomads” kicking around, and people tempted by the lifestyle – many of them with language proficiencies and interests – you could be the first to really market freelance translation to them. It’s a burgeoning movement; check out DigitalNomadAcademy.com for an idea of the demand for this stuff.

I think there’s a great business opportunity for you here if you brought out a digital version of your book, maybe alongside a well-marketed website. Not to mention real potential for a partnership with one of the “Lifestyle Design” businesses like DNA.com mentioned above, getting your book in front of their audience.

Let me know if you’re interested in these ideas, I’d be happy to talk further.

By: Corinne McKay

Corinne McKay — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:48:51 +0000

Thanks Cristina and best of luck to you! And yes,the first year as a freelancer is a lot of patience and hard work, but you’ll get there if you stick with it!

By: Cristina Rodriguez

Cristina Rodriguez — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:34:19 +0000

Thanks a lot for this wonderful post! I’m starting my freelance career and the tips and comments are really useful. Specially, knowing that it probably will take more than a year to be able to live from this job. Patience!

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By: Corinne McKay

Corinne McKay — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:22:58 +0000

@Holly, if I recall correctly, I sent an initial inquiry to the general e-mail address on the agency’s website, then if someone responded to me, I asked them for the informational interview. Good luck to you!

By: Holly Behl

Holly Behl — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:41:59 +0000

Corinne,

Thanks for another invaluable post. When asking for an informational interview, who did you request to have it with? Or did you just ask for an interview and leave it up to them to decide?

By: Marie-Louise Desfray

Marie-Louise Desfray — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:02:45 +0000

Having just started as freelance, I do indeed keep track of contacts in an xls sheet, incl. rates I offered and the counter-offer. I include the rate structure since it seems each agency has a different discount rate for fuzzies and 100%/repetitions, as well as the payment terms, and anything that may impact my decision to accept the deal. Once the client and I have reached an agreement, I only have to transfer that information into my finance info.
As for the tax money, I put it on a saving account so that I get some interests and I do not inadvertently use it for other purposes.

And a question for Janine: what you’re describing is close to harassment. However, I’m thinking of reminding a few people of my great skills and availability a few times a year and would like to hear whether once per quarter/semester would still sound too much for you.

/ml

By: Corinne McKay

Corinne McKay — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:52:18 +0000

Wow! Even more great tips here, these could be a post in themselves, thanks to everyone who offered suggestions and those who have enjoyed the post.