If you’re a freelance translator, you probably send out translation quotes several times a week. Chances are that you never hear back from some of those potential clients. What do you do in those situations? Do you contact the client, or do you let that project just slip away? Here are some tips to help you seal the deal when it comes time to present and follow up on quotes that you’ve sent out for translations.
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Inexperienced translation buyers may approach you about a quote before they’ve fully evaluated their needs. Don’t hesitate to ask plenty of questions to get a solid handle on the client’s requirements and expectations. Take charge and outline the steps of the process for clients if they seem unsure.
Agree upon how and when you’ll follow up with the client when you deliver the quote. A phone call, email or face-to-face meeting within one week of the original contact with the client is usually a reasonable time frame.
When you initially present your quote, make sure you convince the client of the value of your particular services and how his or her business will benefit by choosing you for the project. If you wind up chasing down the client, ask yourself why the client seems hesitant to work with you. What questions and objections did you fail to cover?
The most critical thing to remember is to maintain contact with the client. Let go of the expectation that the client will get back to you after receiving your quote; always follow up. If the client doesn’t call or email, cut back on the frequency of your contact but continue to pursue the project until you get a “yes” or a “no.” Remember that some clients take longer to decide than others.
Keep in mind that you are most likely competing against other translators for this client’s business. Sometimes it’s not the project quote itself but rather the follow-up that proves to be the deciding factor for the translation buyer.
Thank you for sharing this. I used to think it was being pushy, or made me sound desperate, to rewrite in case the potential client disappeared into thin air after receiving a quote. Since then I have developed, as you did, the awareness that it is all about communication, and that far from sounding pushy, a follow up mail or phone call says a lot about your professionalism and your client oriented approach. Even if you don’t cut a deal this time, the prospective client may call you next time because he/she’ll remember your effective communication and clarity!