| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Has 2011 been a good year for your business (compared to 2010)? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Has 2011 been a good year for your business (compared to 2010)?".
This poll was originally submitted by Steve Melling. View the poll results »
| | | | | Generally better | Dec 7, 2011 |
But I had one really insane month last year that has distorted the figures ever since. My income that month was 2 1/2 times the average monthly income for that year. It dropped out of my running 12 month average in February and it will drop out of the annual total comparison this month.
My total for this year is about the same as last year and that's how I voted but, if you ignore that one outlying month, this year was better than last. Six of the months were my best ever for that ... See more But I had one really insane month last year that has distorted the figures ever since. My income that month was 2 1/2 times the average monthly income for that year. It dropped out of my running 12 month average in February and it will drop out of the annual total comparison this month.
My total for this year is about the same as last year and that's how I voted but, if you ignore that one outlying month, this year was better than last. Six of the months were my best ever for that month (i.e. March was my best ever March etc.). It may be seven, December isn't over yet and it's still in the running. If it keeps going the way it has started it could well be my best December ever. One of the other months only just missed being the best ever.
Terry. ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 20:15
Spanish to English
+ ...
If my calculations are correct (which may or may not be the case, as I'm rubbish with figures and very scatty about admin), then on paper I've billed about 20% more (net) than in 2010, which wasn't a bad year either. I hasten to add that none of this is my doing, as I did no more to solicit work than in any other year.
However, this year I've had a couple of academic clients ask me to bill them in advance for revision/translation work I haven't actually done yet, since research fu... See more If my calculations are correct (which may or may not be the case, as I'm rubbish with figures and very scatty about admin), then on paper I've billed about 20% more (net) than in 2010, which wasn't a bad year either. I hasten to add that none of this is my doing, as I did no more to solicit work than in any other year.
However, this year I've had a couple of academic clients ask me to bill them in advance for revision/translation work I haven't actually done yet, since research funds will be like hens' teeth in 2012 and they wanted to use up this year's budget allocation. Even so, counting the translations I've done so far in 2011 I am still at least 10% up compared to last year.
That 's cheered me up a bit, although most of it is going on dentist's fees... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Simon Bruni 
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:15
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
But it's a bit difficult to quantify because for most of 2010 I had other commitments and less time for translating. One thing for sure is an improvement in rates and consequently some months when I have worked less and earned the same or worked the same and earned more. That said, I have had the odd day here and there where I have had no translation work to do or virtually none, which used to be a much rarer occurrence.
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Gina W
United States
Local time: 14:15
Member (2003)
French to English
| Almost the same | Dec 7, 2011 |
So I've earned a little bit less in 2010, but not substantially - however, because of other things going on this year, I have actually been available less...so it kind of evens out.:)
| | | | Todd Field
United States
Local time: 12:15
Member
Portuguese to English
Thankfully, work in the PT>EN language pair has been extremely fast-paced this year.
It's strange: the longer the recession holds on in Portuguese and English-speaking countries, the more translation offers I get. I wish I were paid to re-negotiate deadlines and compose apologies for jobs I simply can't take... I'd be independently wealthy!
| | | | | Worse of the worse | Dec 7, 2011 |
for freelancing. Barely any assignments. Luckily, it's not my main source of revenue. I can't wait for the financial crisis to be over.
| | | | Sanmar
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:15
Dutch to English
| Slightly worse | Dec 7, 2011 |
2011 has been slightly worse than 2010 which was a lot worse than the previous 10 years. My agency clients in the UK have also told me it has been unusually quiet. I have to try and get more clients outside the UK or get a part time job!
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But that's because I found a really good client in November 2010. More than two-thirds of my income has been from this client in 2011--which scares me a little. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my good luck holds.
| | | | | Advertise, advertise, advertise.... | Dec 8, 2011 |
I can't say it enough
I tend to get very comfortable when the work is flowing and have made the mistake of depending too much on one client.... it can be a treacherous road to take! Luckily for me I work in a language pair where it's relatively easy to secure new clients so 2011 has held up!
| | | | | Yes...Amazing!!!!!!!! | Dec 10, 2011 |
It was an Amazing year for my business.... I got huge growth and new clients in this year!!!!!!!!! It was a great learning experience also for CAT tools and many other associated things.
| | | | Maya M Fourioti
Greece
Local time: 21:15
Member (2010)
English to Greek
+ ...
It has been a unique fruitful year and I owe a lot to proz.com.I have a lot more new clients through the site and locally.The secret is : advertise and act professionally!
On the other hand, I feel like I need a rest during the holidays.
2012 sounds very promising and I am very optimistic.
My best wishes to everyone.
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As I am already working at more than full capacity, getting additional jobs has not been my aim. I have started to raise prices instead, and have been able to be more selective. I did turn down a record number of jobs this year. Income is up about 10%. Time invested is about the same, probably about 6 days a week.
| | | | | Not a bad year... | Dec 20, 2011 |
Although I had a problem with a client whom I will probably have to sue, and also I got married, had a new grandchild, got arrested twice for civil disobedience, did a lot of pro bono interpreting work as we as free translations for 'causes,' spent a lot of time also cooking for causes (see paellasforpeace.com), in general I had a very productive and fairly good year.
I am in the process of building my website and hope to make better use of my time... but this has been a productiv... See more Although I had a problem with a client whom I will probably have to sue, and also I got married, had a new grandchild, got arrested twice for civil disobedience, did a lot of pro bono interpreting work as we as free translations for 'causes,' spent a lot of time also cooking for causes (see paellasforpeace.com), in general I had a very productive and fairly good year.
I am in the process of building my website and hope to make better use of my time... but this has been a productive year for translation despite an otherwise screwed up economy... I can't quite understand that!
[Edited at 2011-12-20 00:59 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Rosalind Howarth
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:15
Member (2008)
French to English
+ ...
| This year started very well but... | Dec 20, 2011 |
...the last few weeks have been worryingly quiet, after a couple of years of non-stop work. I was also on maternity leave for 7 months of this year so that probably didn't help, but I am finding that I am now having to look for new clients. 2010 was my best year to date.
Most of my clients are in France, so it may be the Euro crisis kicking in. Has anyone else had a quiet month this month?
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