The Entrepreneurial Linguist: The Business-School Approach to Freelance Translation

by Judy Jenner

Any linguist can become an entrepreneurial linguist, work with direct clients, and make a good living while maintaining a healthy work/life balance. This book by longtime translating twins Judy and Dagmar Jenner will teach you how to start your entrepreneurial linguist journey. Written in a purposely non-academic style, "The Entrepreneurial Linguist: The Business-School Approach to Freelance Translation" will show you how to market your services to direct clients, build and nurture relationships, grow your client base in a structured way, use web 2.0 to promote your services, and much more. This book is intended for both beginning and established translators and interpreters around the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Language, Linguistics

200 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2010

Reviews

[Andrew Gillies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of good practical advice and great common-sense tips for linguists who need to become business-people. This book covers a lot of ground... mind-set, pricing, training, time-management, negotiating, volunteering (brilliant inclusion!), work-life balance etc etc. It also has the merit of being the only book of its kind, so it's just as well it's so good!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judy Jenner is a fantastic speaker and teacher. However, I think the information in this book is better presented in other books (e.g., Corinne McKay’s books). This is worth a skim at least, and you can focus on specific chapters based on your current needs, however other chapters are in need of serious updates (for instance, the parts about social media and blogging).

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The good: Some very useful tips in this book for how translators can take that notoriously difficult step towards marketing to and attracting direct clients. Also talks about the mindset you need and gives encouragement along the well; excellently pitched in this respect.

The bad: Too much basic information and details that I imagine even absolute beginners could work out for themselves and will probably be outdated very quickly.

Either way, worth a read if you're a translator looking to work more with direct clients. Most useful chapters are 4 on Marketing, 5 on Business Development, 6 on Pricing and 7 on Negotiating.

[Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars (would three and a half be mean?!)

Lots of very useful information, but possibly trying to be all things to everyone. There are potentially two books here ... one for new translators or people thinking of joining the profession, and another for more experienced linguists trying to take the business up to the next level.
At least it's very thorough!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and some good tips. Definitely worth it if you're thinking of going down that route....

[Rosamund · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, I haven't tested out all of its advice yet, of course, but it was a helpful, comprehensive and easy-going read.

[Sarah ♥ dog crazy ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of useful tips for (new) translators like how to make the best of conferences, what to keep in mind when negotiating with clients or how to keep up a healthy word life balance.