Comments on: E-mail marketing tips

By: Kevin Lossner

Kevin Lossner — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:02:11 +0000

I have lost track of how many CVs I have received from translators for Bulgarian, Arabic, Chinese and whatnot who really need to meditate on your point #9.

Point #12 – using an e-mail address from your own domain – is often debated, but I must say that the apologists for AOL, Hotmail and even T-Online addresses simply miss the point and it’s their loss. I can see the point of such disposable addresses for listserve subscriptions & the like, but not for serious business. Of course many serious translators use these addresses, and I don’t think they will be disadvantaged in many cases, but the potential is always there. What really baffles me are the people with their own domain – presumably also access to a mail server for that domain – who still use the throwaway addresses.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:05:14 +0000

“I am writing to request a freelance position with your company”.

This one didn’t read your blog, particularly point #9. I’m tempted to send them a link!

By: email marketing

email marketing — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:27:45 +0000

” 10. Localize your resume for your target audience”

Excellent tip!

Understanding your recipients goes a long way. Valuing there time and providing real value will yield positive results.

Great Post.

By: Corinne McKay

Corinne McKay — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:48:31 +0000

This post is required reading!! These tips are fantastic. I would also add that I think it’s helpful to state your purpose in the first sentence of the e-mail. “I am a freelance English to Spanish translator and I would like to offer my services to your agency” or “After speaking with your representative at the recent ATA conference, I would like to follow up on German to English translation opportunities with your company” or whatever. Many times I receive e-mails from people asking questions about careers in translation and they don’t provide any introductory information, so I’m left thinking “Do I know this person, and if so, how?” It’s really helpful if you clue the person in immediately!

By: jillsommer

jillsommer — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:33:57 +0000

@Loreto – you can try, but I think most people who hire translators are overwhelmed with their current tasks and may be put off by a phone call. I still think face to face is the best way to make a contact. Corinne McKay suggests calling and setting up informational interviews to talk about being a translator – not necessarily working for them. If they have the time and willingness to meet you, you might make a good impression. You never know what will work. Every person is different. I absolutely hate cold calling (I once refused to do it on a temp job), so I would never use this approach. But it might work wonderfully for someone else. The point is: rely on your strengths and market yourself as you best see fit.

By: Serena Dorey

Serena Dorey — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:08:00 +0000

I completely agree with all of these tips, especially #6 and #9. My website and blog clearly state that I’m a freelancer yet I still get contacted by prospective translators who think that I’m an agency. I also sometimes receive marketing e-mails regarding a language pair I don’t work in. Very frustrating. Hopefully people will take heed of this advice!

By: Loreto Riveiro

Loreto Riveiro — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:28:31 +0000

Hi, Jill

Thanks for (so many of) your posts, they are a grat help.

I am starting out as a freelance, and I am hesitant between two marketing strategies: of course, the research you mention in #6 and #7, in order to send an e-mail (as personalised as can be). But some people consider that a cold e-mail is not enough, so I was thinking about a brief phone call to state my intention, something like: “I would like to send information about myself, if you please tell me who I must address it to…”.

I think it is rather personal, some people think this is too intrusive, and some others think a cold e-mail is not enough… any experience/advice in that regard?

Thank you for your great work.
Loreto Riveiro

By: jillsommer

jillsommer — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:10:55 +0000

@JLibbey – That’s amazing. You would hope one wouldn’t have to specify something like that – particularly to translators who rely on good writing skills. Ouch! OK, #16 is now officially “Do not use chatspeak or shortcuts when writing e-mails to potential clients.” I’m speechless…

By: JLibbey

JLibbey — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:52:31 +0000

“Remember that you are writing to someone you hope to do business with.” We receive too many emails where the previous sentence would have been written: “remember that u r writing to someone u hope …”. Needless to say, we delete them immediately without even looking at the CVs.