So looking around the business, there are few general tips or rules of thumb to follow.In the professional translation business there are many pitfalls, especially if you are working as a freelance translator. Not only are you doing the translation, but you are now the president and CEO of your own company, marketing guru and advertising executive. So looking around the business, there are few general tips or rules of thumb to follow.

The first would be that just because you do not have a certified professional translation degree in French legal translation or French financial translation should not stop you from getting out there and learning how to become a certified translator in those field. Ultimately it's the quality of your end product that matters. As long as you are sticking to your native language, and are willing to learn new fields it shouldn't be too difficult to produce what the client is looking for.

When starting out, there are many sites out there to help a freelance translator get in touch with clientele that are looking for your services. Depending on what your expertise is in, you can find anyone in the world that will have a need of your knowledge.

The important thing to remember is not to accept a project which you know is not within your abilities. It would be more professional to turn down a job of translating a highly technical product catalog or medical documents if you have no experience in those areas. If you are honest with the client, then turning down that particular work does not mean that they won't look to you for future projects. It shows you know your own limitations and that is a good business move, as well as, good for your sanity. However, you might look into hiring a good professional translator in that field in the future to take on the work you cannot do if you decide that you would like to develop your company into a new area of specialization.

Make sure that you ask questions. Asking questions can only make you look more thorough. Most translations contain at least one problem. One of the most important parts of a professional translation is not to try and guess what your client might mean or want to say, but to identify any issues and resolve them together by asking the client. A common beginner mistake is to try to impress the client and not to ask questions when warranted.

Make sure when you do the translation to imitate the original style that the author uses, whether it be humorous, or wordy, or uses scientific language, etc. It is important to interpret the meaning of the words not just the words themselves. If needed find a native speaker to proofread your work to make sure that it sounds natural and that the intent of the writer comes through in a professional translation. Language tone does matter when you are making a professional translation. Try not to forget what the client is using the translation for.

Remember, that starting out as a freelance translator is the beginning of working in a great industry. Variety of projects, freedom of time and adventure are around every turn. Try not to forget that there are people that have been there before you and are there to help you not make some of the same mistakes that they have made. Utilize their help when needed and your business will be the success that you are aiming for.