Looking for tips to avoid scams by working with individuals not companies! Thread poster: Dalia Nour
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Dalia Nour 
Egypt
Local time: 23:21
Member (2018)
English to Arabic
+ ...
Hello,
I hope you all are good and safe!
I want some tips to protect my rights, when I work with individuals whom require my translation service. It's hard to find a website or anything could ensure that they are an authentic people. So, do you refuse working with them and you work ONLY with translation companies? Or you work with individuals whom require your services, but you follow some specific procedures?
Your tips will be much appreciated!
... See more Hello,
I hope you all are good and safe!
I want some tips to protect my rights, when I work with individuals whom require my translation service. It's hard to find a website or anything could ensure that they are an authentic people. So, do you refuse working with them and you work ONLY with translation companies? Or you work with individuals whom require your services, but you follow some specific procedures?
Your tips will be much appreciated!
Kind regards,
Dalia ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 22:21
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| B2B or B2C assignments? | Jun 2, 2020 |
Dalia Nour wrote:
I want some tips to protect my rights, when I work with individuals whom require my translation service. It's hard to find a website or anything could ensure that they are an authentic people. So, do you refuse working with them and you work ONLY with translation companies? Or you work with individuals whom require your services, but you follow some specific procedures?
I'm not sure whether you're referring to private individuals or to business clients who aren't translation agencies, i.e. companies who need the translation for their business.
For private individuals, I always ask for 50-100% advance payment for smaller jobs and at least 25% plus staged payments for book-length projects.
For direct business clients and fellow professionals, I rarely ask for any advance payment -- just a small percentage for very big projects. It just isn't the normal way businesses do business. I research them thoroughly first. Google for "Due Diligence" or "Risk Management" for ideas. There are many steps you can take, and I take some or all for every new client, depending both on how I feel about them, and how much I stand to lose if they don't pay. I also set a credit limit for all clients, even though I don't tell them how much it is. Even regular clients can hit hard times or fall under the proverbial bus, so I never let things get too out of hand. Fortunately, I've yet to lose a cent to scammers but I have had two client bankruptcies in 20+ years.
| | | | | Build trust gradually | Jun 2, 2020 |
The easiest way to avoid scams is to build trust gradually and create long term relationships with clients. That works with individuals as well as with companies. With a new client (or agency), start with smaller assignments, communicate a lot, and see if all works out, including the payment. The client also benefits from this mutual confidence building.
| | | | Noura Tawil
Syria
Local time: 00:21
Member (2013)
English to Arabic
| Upfront payment | Jun 2, 2020 |
100% upfront payment for the first small project. An individual client who finds me through Proz must have seen what reassures them about me in my profile and my WWA feedback, but I have nothing to help me confirm their reliability. The wise ones understand that and proceed.
After the first job, I usually start treating them like any translation company, but with much shorter payment terms.
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Dalia Nour
Egypt
Local time: 23:21
Member (2018)
English to Arabic
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you so much for all your valuable tips. I totally appreciate them!
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Looking for tips to avoid scams by working with individuals not companies! | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
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