Translating with the Crowd

Crowd Sourcing

When a freelancer like me gets a long-drawn-out translation job from a client with a cockeyed deadline, it gets impossible for me or for any other freelance translator to finish the job on his own and on time. So what’s the solution? How can you get rid of the ticking time bomb and finish the job at the expected time? The solution is crowdsourcing! Crowdsourcing companies throw up translation challenges, to a wide range of people that handle certain parts of the translation work. CrowdThinkTank first employs the power of the crowd to get the job done and then checks every word on a machine based translator. If need be, it also uses the power of crowd for polishing the text, checking facts and to get rid of any insignificant combinations of words &/or sequences. Freelance translation services offered through online collaboration makes it easier to manage any large team projects when compared to other traditional approaches.

Crowd: We Are Alive & Kickin

Crowd Sourcing

Few days back,  I read an article on user-generated revolution, which predicted (not again!) the death of the practice of Crowd Sourcing and went on to add that it’s passé since users are not interested in it anymore, and cites falling numbers of editors for Wikipedia’s content as an example!

So, does it mean an end to crowdsourced services like freelance translation services among several others? Well, more and more web based services these days are vying for user attention, but using Wikipedia’s so-called decline as a premise to presume the demise of crowdsourcing is downright irrational & stupid. Firstly, unlike Wikipedia, crowdsourcing companies do reward the people who take part in online challenges, so people get paid for their hard work but I must also add that for most of the participants, money is not the prime reason they participate. It’s more about the passion, which eventually makes them want to excel in whatever they do. Finally, sharing and helping each other is human nature and crowdsourcing isn’t dying till we continue to work for the greater good.

Overcome the Barriers of Language and Culture with Translation Services

Freelance Translation Services

It would be criminal in today’s globalised world to not leverage the power of emerging markets in the developing countries to get the overall competitive advantage. But the premise mentioned above has a slight problem: ‘Language Barriers’. The translation challenges that the companies face everyday is crippling the business opportunities for multinationals. And since, English is not the primary language in the countries that figure on the map of these multinationals, therefore translation as a means of international communication, has become necessary to tap the unthought-of potential of these markets globally.

Some freelance translation services include translation, proofreading, interpretation, copywriting, voice-over, subtitling and project management. This makes it easy for the companies to target the consumers any where in the world which eventually leads to market expansion and more profits for the company. Language barriers are not an excuse any more and it’s the right time for you to look for business potential in foreign shores to boost your profits.

Tips to Stave off the Freelancing Stress

Translation Services

Freelance translation services, at most times, can be challenging and nerve-wracking. The work flow, to say the least, lacks consistency. If it’s your day, you’ll have enough work to make you jostle your way to the deadlines. But dry and unproductive times can last for days or even months, with no end in sight. This could be devastating for your work-life balance. No work could mean, no money to pay your bills resulting in mental strain & stress. But all is not lost, to overcome the freelance translation challenges go through the following points and lemme know what you think.

• Market Yourself – Facing slowdowns or “no work” is part & parcel of freelancing, but the frequency can be reduced by endlessly marketing and selling your freelancing services.

• Planning is the Key – Doing more than necessary can be a stressor. Having too much on your plate can kill your business and its credibility. Therefore plan carefully & well in advance to avoid stress.

• Having Financial Buffer is a Must - “Prevention is better than cure.” Hence, keeping a financial buffer can be a stress buster during recessionary times.