What do you do if your freelance translation clients are negotiating rates?

Always set a minimum rate that no matter what the rate will not go beyond it. As a translator do not go for a rate that is discouraging, and ended off a substandard service.

Know your worth. Sounds obvious, doesn't it? But you'd be surprised how many forget this basic principle. Calculate your costs, your time, the value you bring. That's your starting point. Don't budge below it. Negotiation isn't a battle, it's a dance. Listen to their needs, explain your value. Find the point where both sides benefit. Sometimes, it's a higher rate. Sometimes, it's a longer-term contract, or a different service package. Be creative. Remember, you're not just selling words, you're selling expertise. And expertise? That always commands a premium.

• Established clients do not negotiate. • I would not negotiate "normal" projects but only for long-term cooperation, e.g. for guaranteed work in the next 6 month or more. Stability is a factor but of course you need to establish your own minimum rate. • The other discount I might offer is for early payments (2% for payments within 10 days). That is a nice option for freelancers.

Negotiating rates is part of the job. Know your worth. Don't accept ridiculous rates because you don't have jobs at hand. Shun clients offering them.

Based on my personal experience, clients who aggressively negotiate the lowest possible rate often prioritize profit over quality. They frequently act as intermediaries, pocketing a significant portion of the payment while paying the freelancer a meager amount. This approach disregards the impact on both the freelancer and the end client. They even bypass qualified freelancers who request fair compensation, instead opting for unqualified individuals willing to provide subpar work. The most concerning clients are those who demand high-quality work at an unreasonably low rate, while also being overly demanding and potentially abusive. They may subject your work to rigorous quality control tests, yet delay payment and compensate you poorly.

A tradução juramentada é tabelada por página traduzida; então obedece a valores fixos que não estão sujeitos a alteração. No caso de tradução técnica, temos um valor mínimo, abaixo do qual não aceitamos trabalhar.

Know your skills, experience, and the quality of your work. Be confident in the value you bring to the table. I think it’s important to be honest with yourself at the knowledge level of a certain semantic field

Be ready to articulate what sets you apart. Highlight aspects such as accuracy, reliability, specialized knowledge, or additional certifications. Emphasizing your unique value proposition can justify higher rates.

Tienes que darte cuenta de cuando un cliente / agencia está "pujando por la baja" o cuando está buscando realmente a un profesional que se comprometa con su proyecto y que sea capaz. Siendo "pujar por la baja" cuando buscan a muchísima gente y solo le dan el trabajo a los más baratos. Si este es el caso no suele merecer la pena formar parte de estos proyectos; si lo haces por necesidad no tardes en buscar mejores clientes (que no te quedes estancad@ con el mismo siempre, vaya). Y que dichos proyectos de estos clientes con los cuales sientes que no te valoran no te ocupe mucha parte de tu tiempo, porque si no te estancarás.

Determine your minimum acceptable rate based on your expenses, desired income, and market conditions. Be firm on not going below this rate.

Ensure your minimum rate also includes a profit margin. This isn’t just about covering costs but also about allowing your business to grow and providing financial stability.

Always communicate professionally and respectfully. Explain your rates clearly and the reasons behind them. Provide examples of your work if necessary to demonstrate your quality. If a client asks for a lower rate, consider negotiating other terms such as deadlines, volume discounts, or payment terms. You might agree to a lower rate for bulk work or faster payment.

Since customers are different and come from different sectors, being flexible helps customers to see you as a good option to contract your services, at the same time means you can be adaptable to the particular requirement. Always be flexible is attractive to clients.

being adaptable to different clients' needs, varying project requirements, and potentially adjusting your approach or deadlines to accommodate unique circumstances while maintaining high-quality work.

it is clients right to negotiate about rate and price, but it is our skill to talk about it wisely. i would prefer to use convincing techniques to show my ability the best and make him/her to accept my rate. but some times I make a deal. I decrease my rate but i ask for more projects.

We must always be open to negotiating in order to find great solutions and benefits for both client and service provider. Find a rate that will benefit you as a service provider, don't focus only on having the work, but also on gains.

Rates changes over time. Research current rates. Research the client (or their company/agency). Consider the industry you'll be translating (medical, legal, software, general, etc) Set minimum rates and charge at least 0.2 above your minimum rates. Don't panic. Be confident. You know your capacity, expertise, and quality. Never go below your minimum even if they threaten to find someone else.