Home Business: Translation and Interpretation Jobs

Homepreneurs suggested late last year that translation and interpretation jobs were an excellent opportunity for a home business. Globalization and increased immigration provides many options for those able to speak and read multiple languages. Reinforcing this is an article in the Chicago Tribune below:

Demand Soars For Language Translation Services

This is a wonderful opportunity for Homepreneurs to take experience, background, and education and make a good living. Translators are in high demand largely because of globalization trends. Corporations need language skills, educational institutions, courts, and governments too. A true bi or multilingual person will get paid very well and opportunities will always exist. These positions are often work from home opportunities and need a great deal of training and ongoing commitment.

What are the typical qualifications to get a translation or interpretation job?

As a Translator or Interpreter, experience is key. Most translation agencies contract their translators based on education, native language and years of experience. The ideal candidate will usually have a bachelors or masters degree (any field), a translation certificate, 5+ years of experience and will translate only to their native language. Several colleges and universities offer translation certificates as well as agencies and associations around the world.

Interpreters are 100% fluent in both languages. Most often they are asked to translate simultaneously, so they have to be good listeners and fluent speakers.

Virtual Assistant Jobs

Following a client comment, Homepreneurs has contacted VirtualAssistant.org to inquire about current status.

While waiting for a reply, another alternative for virtual assistants is ODesk. This company lists a variety of positions for contractors. From ODesk’s FAQ section:

Most oDesk clients are managers at small to medium-sized companies that are looking for contractors for everything from small fixed-price projects to long-term relationships of a year or more. They’re looking for web developers, writers, graphic designers, call-center staff, data entry professionals, marketing experts, business consultants and more.

Pay rates vary, of course, based on the type of work, your skill level, work history and reputation. Check out what other contractors with similar skills are charging, and price yourself accordingly. New contractors often find it effective to price themselves a little below the average market rate at first, until they’ve landed the first few jobs that will give them the work history and feedback that can make it easier to find jobs at a higher pay rate. 1

1) https://www.odesk.com/info/faqs/#gethired001

Homepreneurs. New Day. New Opportunity.

Start a Home Based Freelance Writing Business

Do you enjoy writing and want to explore a freelance writing business?  Freelance writing is an excellent choice for a home business.  If you enjoy writing and research, this post provides resources and suggestions to start your search.  An additional plus to a freelance writing business is the low-cost startup money needed.  A computer, Internet connection, and word processing software are the basic requirements.

Requirements:

* Writing Skills
* Computer
* Internet Connection
* PayPal/Bank Account/ Credit Card
* Phone/Mobile
* Writing Skills
* Time

Types of Freelance Writers

Many different types of freelance writing work are available in the marketplace; some are given below:

Web Content Writing –There are unlimited numbers of topics available for web witting. Thousands of websites are launched each day. Sites need good content, providing a wonderful opportunity.

Technical Writing – Writers with technical knowledge or expertise in fields like computer hardware, software, or programming can provide technical content for various client needs.

Advertising Writing – An ability to write eye-opening product review/service offers that attract users and subsequent purchases could make an excellent candidate for this position.

Medical Writing – Pharmaceutical companies need technical writers familiar with medical terms and FDA requirements.

Blogging – Similar to web content writing, many topics are available in this field.  Blogs are dynamic and require more frequent content than websites.

Resume Writer – Many job seekers don’t understand current resume techniques and terms.  At this time and for the foreseeable future, this is an in-demand field.

Business Plan Writer – General knowledge about business and business plan writing allows you to provide expertise to clients ranging from large companies to small.

Find Clients for Your Freelance Writing Business

Friends/Professional Network – Increase your friends/professional circle. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and others are valuable networking tools.  Mention your interest in freelance writing and provide samples of your work.

Website/Blog – A very valuable public display that displays your talents and expertise.  Potential clients can either discover your sites by accident or by referral.  Write for your own site in your personal time – hopefully because you enjoy it – and add adsense or affiliate products for extra income generation.

Resources To Find Freelance Writing Work Online:

* Odesk.com – This is a global job marketplace for small and medium sized business to bid a job, hire & manage.

* eLance.com – This is the world’s leading site for online work. Share your profile for jobs, find clients and more.

* Guru.com – There are 250000+ freelancers. Find jobs and get hired.

* About.com – Looking for ‘guides’ experts.

* American Society of Business Publications Editors

* Associated Press

* Copydesk

* Freelance BBS

* Freelance Switch

* Freelance Venue

* Freelance Writing Gigs

* Magazine Publishers of America

* Media Bistro

* Morning Coffee

* Online Writing Jobs

* Poe War

* Seed

* Sunoasis Jobs

* Telecommuting Jobs

* Whisper Jobs

* Work At Home Mom

* Write Jobs

* Writer Find

* Places for Writers

* Publishers Marketplace

How much do freelance content writers earn?

According to an informal pole by About.com: “…44% averaged under $1000/month, 27% brought in between $1000 and $2000 per month, and 28% brought in over $2000 per month. Keep in mind that less than half of these respondents worked 8 hours/day on average, and less than half had more than one year of experience.”1  “A recent look at Elance.com showed the day’s top article writer had made about $16,000 via Elance in the past 6 months.”1

Common Problems with Freelance Writing Careers

# Lack of Time:  Starting a freelance writing business requires a goal and a plan.  Refer to an earlier posting on this blog about starting a business while employed.  A daily log of time spent on various tasks may help budget time effectively.  Review this log frequently, identify trends, and make adjustments to spend more time on writing!

# Waiting for the right time:  Many freelance writers wait for the “right time” to start and get caught up in daily activities and responsibilities.  Frequent excuses include vacations, too tired, not in the mood to write, etc.  No time is better than the present.

# Need to know more:  No one is perfect and knowledge is limitless and continually expanding. Just start your business. Success and failure is a better teacher than any book, magazine or other resource.

# Money: If you have a computer and an Internet connection, you have everything needed to start a success freelance writing business.  Even if you don’t own either, your local library or community colleges will provide both, free of charge in most cases.

Edited by Dion D. Shaw

Dion D Shaw is the founder and owner of Homepreneurs.

This article excerpted in part from:  www.makemoneyfreemoney.com/how-to-start-a-freelance-writing-business/

Reference

1) http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/basicsoffreelancing/f/faqmoney.htm

Homepreneurs.  New Day.  New Opportunities.

Disclaimer

Homepreneurs does not endorse nor have any relationships with any of the services listed.  Homepreneurs receives no compensation or consideration for its suggestions.  Homepreneurs strongly urges all interested parties to conduct research and accepts no responsibility for any losses incurred.

© Homepreneurs 2010 – 2012

Can I afford to start a business?

One of the first concerns about starting a home business is cost and startup capital.  With people struggling to pay bills and living paycheck to paycheck, these issues are very valid.  One need not assume a startup home business will cost thousands.  Some home businesses need almost nothing to launch.  Key examples are etsy, eBay, Craigslist or any local resale shop.  Do you have a collection of baseball cards or rare coins or antique furniture?  List them on the above sites or sell them at a local reseller.  Instant business, minimal cost.  You can build in the shipping and listing costs in the selling price.

The cost for the above business is virtually nothing.  If you intend to start a slightly more complex business – consulting, freelancing or making a product – below are a list of basic costs you can expect.

1) Phone – somewhere between $75 and $100.  Shop AT&T, Verizon, and US Cellular for current deals on cell phones and bundled services.

2) Domain name and web site hosting – $10 to $20.  Put your product or service on the Internet and sell locally, regionally or globally.

3) Accounting services – $75 to $100.  Charges will vary based on complexity and information recorded for your accountant.

4) Marketing – $20 to $150.  Simple handouts to email marketing to advertising in local papers or community newsletters.

Total: $180 to $400 per month for an ongoing business.

There are other potential one-time costs too:

- Legal registration of the business for the government – see http://www.bizfilings.com/ – in Illinois about $125

- Computer – if you don’t have one, shop around and buy for $350

Other important business tools are free including:

- Business cards – free through http://www.vistaprint.com

- Office software – free at http://www.openoffice.org/

- Accounting software – free online tools - http://quicken.intuit.com/personal-finance-software/mint-online-money-management.jsp

- Marketing – use social networking sites Twitter, Facebook, and Linked In to get your business name out.  All are free.

- Internet presence – start a blog on WordPress, Blogger or one of many hundreds of other free blog hosting sites

- Start a web site – some companies offer free web hosting, albeit with their advertising included

Can you afford a startup business?  Yes!  Ask yourself, can I afford not to start a business???

By Dion D Shaw

Dion D Shaw is the founder and owner of Homepreneurs

Homepreneurs.  New Day.  New Opportunities.

Disclaimer

Homepreneurs does not endorse nor have any relationships with any of the services listed.  Homepreneurs receives no compensation or consideration for its suggestions.  Homepreneurs strongly urges all interested parties to conduct research and accepts no responsibility for any losses incurred.

© Homepreneurs 2010 – 2012

Successful Home Business Examples

Homepreneurs has many friends that have successfully started businesses from their homes.  Each is unique, represent both part-time and full-time jobs, and all are successful enough to continue.  Names, business names and descriptions, and links to either web sites or contact information  is provided:

- Fred Barrett -Senior Project Manager for Projworks.  Fred is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and is also an Adjunct Instructor for Project Management at Computer Systems Institute.  Fred’s contact: projworks@sbcglobal.net

- Melanie Hetfield – Founder, Hetfield Services – Melanie covers a range of services from Web Design to Professional Twitter services.  Her website is http://www.hetfield.co.uk/index.php

- Wendy Barrett – Marketing Executive at FreeLife International .  Wendy specializes in helping people get healthier, lose weight and feel great!  Wendy’s website is http://wendyb.freelife.com/international/usa/index.cfm/home<a>

- Lorena Blonsky – Founder, LMB Associates.  LMB is a premier Chicago-area search firm specializing in the recruitment of information technology professionals.  Lorena may be reached at info@lmbassociates.com

- Katie Brainerd – Owner, KTCakes – Katie makes Homemade cakes for any occasion!!  KTCakes is on Facebook or contact: ktbrainerd@hotmail.com

- Julie Novak-Borst – Owner, The Framing Source – Julie custom frames pictures, etc for corporate and personal use.  A multi-talented professional, Julie cuts her own matting and has a fantastic eye for color and style.  Julie can be contacted at framingsource@gmail.com.

- Linda Strickland – Linda is a nature photographer featured in a Homepreneurs success story recently.  Her eye for catching wildlife in a natural setting is quite remarkable.  Linda’s work is found at NatureRestoreMe or she can be contacted at linda@naturerestoresme.com.

- Lindsay Coats – Owner, StellarEdgePr and featured in a Homepreneurs success story.  StellaredgePR offers event planning, marketing, design, and promotional services.  StellarEdgePR is also redesigned Homepreneurs logo, blog, and Facebook pages.

The home businesses featured above are examples of the many possibilities for home business.  Many if not all, can be done on a part-time or full-time basis too.  Make some extra income or turn a hobby into a business.  Win-win for all.

These individuals have started and successfully run a variety of businesses from home.  If each can succeed, why can’t you???

By Dion D. Shaw

Dion D Shaw is the founder and owner of Homepreneurs

Homepreneurs.  New Day.  New Opportunities.

Disclaimer

Homepreneurs does not endorse nor have any relationships with any of the services listed.  Homepreneurs receives no compensation or consideration for its suggestions.  Homepreneurs strongly urges all interested parties to conduct research and accepts no responsibility for any losses incurred.

© Homepreneurs 2010 – 2012, All rights reserved