Don’t Try Freelance Translating Without Knowing These Websites First
Do you believe that there’s a formula for success that some freelance translators use to get more projects?
Why do some can’t just run out of gigs while others strive so hard to look for translation jobs?
If you’re a novice and you’re done watching your translator peers moving their way to the greener side of the pasture, here’s how any freelance translator, even the “experts,” could’ve started.
Our friend Superhumans Life recommended freelance translation jobs for beginners. Initially, she mentioned eight websites, but the other one (reva.com) quitted translation services in 2020.
Thus, the following are websites that are still on the market with added information about them.
1. Appen.com
Appen is a digital platform that uses crowdsourcing to collect and improve translation data they’d provide for machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Requirement:
You must be over 18, and all you need to do is create a profile and provide basic information like a phone number.
Work Process:
Once you’re in, you can pick microtask and fulfill them. You’ll then be improving speech recognition, validate translation. You’ll also translate content from one language to another.
Earning potential and Payment system:
Your income depends upon the project you can accomplish, but the typical earning ranges from 2.5 USD to 2 USD per project per hour.
Payment is through PayPal.
Here is the latest review from Indeed:
2. Lionbridge.com
Lionbridge is a company that specializes in developing speech recognition models. They also build AI algorithms and machine learning that can automatically translate from one language to another.
Requirement:
Creating a profile is the first step. However, you must pass the skills evaluation phase after. Once you succeed, you won’t select tasks. They’ll provide your projects according to your level of expertise or knowledge.
Work Process:
You will rate the translation that their machine learning model makes. And if the rating is not so good, they will use your translation to teach their model the correct algorithm. Once again, you’ll interpret or evaluate the translation that the algorithm has done.
Earning potential and Payment system:
The Payment is through Paypal. And the hourly payscale is as follows:
Interpreter: $12 — $44 (Estimated)
Interpreter or Translator: $12 — $27 (Estimated)
Linguist:$15 — $33 (Estimated)
Senior Mechanical Designer: $33 — $58 (Estimated)
Here is the latest review from Indeed:
3. Gengo.com
Gengo is for professional translation. They tailor their translation services on the industry expertise and knowledge — expertise of their client.
What most people love about Gengo is the feeling of family or belongingness. Every month, they feature freelancers that work with them, which erases the robotic interaction due to the remote work structure.
Requirement:
Because of the higher standard, you’ll need to go through an evaluation phase, quizzes, and tests to prove your knowledge on a particular domain, knowledge, or expertise. On top of language knowledge, you must also have a degree in the field where you intend to translate.
Work Process:
Once you pass the tests, you can freely pick the type of project or task that you want to translate. They’re not pre-assigned
Earning potential and Payment system:
Your potential income depends on your translating speed. However, standard translators earn 0.03 USD per word, and the pro-level translators get up to 0.08 USD per word.
Paypal is the default payout method.
Here’s the latest Review from Indeed:
4. Worldlingo.com
Users say it’s not the best website. But just like Gengo, Worldlingo offers another level of translation services. They also target professional translators, so their market is narrower.
Requirement:
Although there’s an evaluation process, the chance to be accepted as their translator is higher when you are a degree holder or a member of any translator association in your country.
Work Process:
There are two main types of profile — generalist or specialist. By the word itself, translator specialist means those with technical expertise on a subject area on top of language knowledge.
Earning potential and Payment system:
26K USD is the translator’s average annually.
No review found
5. Onehourtranslation.com
Onehourtranslation handles various projects that need translating, transcribing, or proofreading. You can provide a combination of services such as translating and proofreading.
Requirement:
You should pass an exam before a staff member reviews your profile. Once you’re accepted, you’ll get certified and can start working on the platform.
A video by Freelanceverse will walk you through the registration process. However, his application for german translation was not approved as it is already a saturated market for translators.
Work Process:
If your profile is approved, you’ll start to work on any material you need to translate from legal, technical, etc.
Earning potential and Payment system:
They offer benefits like receiving a credit card that you can use to make your payments.
Most of the translators’ salaries range between $32,000 to $120,000. But, the top earners make $216,000 annually across the United States.
Here’s the latest Review from Indeed:
One of the reviews highlighted by Freelanceverse is “This outsourcer has been banned from posting jobs on ProZ.com.”
6. Textmasters.com
This European-based company acts as a medium agency for translators and clients. They separate freelancers into professionals, semi-professionals.
Requirement:
To qualify as a professional, you need to have experience and be certified as a professional translator.
Work Process:
Ipoop Cash shed light on the work process inside the platform. Once approved, you’ll be in the bronze level, which means you’ve worked less than 10,000 words. The more words you translate, the higher your level, such as silver, diamond, and platinum.
Earning potential and payment system:
Bronze-level translators earn 3.9 cents per word, while higher-level translators can make 0.10 USD to 0.15 USD per word.
Here’s the latest Review from Indeed:
7. Unbabel.com
Just like Lionbridge and Appen, Unbable also provides translation for a machine learning solution.
Requirement:
After creating a profile, you need to take a test to evaluate your level of skill. You’ll have to accomplish a demo task to complete. Demo tasks can be an opportunity for you to test the water whether it would be a fit or not.
Work Process:
You’ll offer language skills to validate and rate the translation that the machine or algorithm has done. If the translation is inadequate, you’ll create it yourself, which the operators will utilize to change the machines’ translation algorithm.
Earning potential and Payment system:
Hourly rates at Unbabel range from 8 USD per hour right up to 18 USD hour for the best editors or translators.
You’ll get your payment through Paypal.
Here’s the latest review form Indeed:
In conclusion, there are two ways you can earn as a novice virtual translator. First is you provide translation for AI learning machines. Second, you work with mid companies for translation projects.
Despite the lesser earning potential, seize the chance to get more experience. Build your portfolio with outstanding projects so you can sell yourself out there and grab the attention of potential clients.
But, if you think you’re ready to join the competition, here’s one that directly connects you to clients all around the world.
