Article How to find your next direct client before the end of the year

Direct clients are a freelance translator’s best friend.

Most of us start our translation careers collaborating with agencies. There are all kinds of advantages to that, and some of said agencies will stay with us for the long haul.

But as the years go by, it’s normal for some to start falling by the wayside, with direct clients taking their place.

Because a lot of freelancers find that direct clients are willing and able to pay higher rates, and that having a close working relationship with a client (without the middleman) can help them produce their very best work.

Essentially, whether you’re a shiny new freelancer or have been in this game for a long time, a new direct client is always good news.

But a lot of translators find it tough to track down direct clients and turn them into loyal customers who keep coming back for more, month after month.

So we’re here to share a few tips on steps you can take to maximise your chances of securing one new direct client you can really get excited about before the end of the year.

1. Get clear about what your ideal client looks like

Before you can go out on the hunt for your next direct client, you need to know exactly what it is you’re looking for.

After all, direct clients definitely aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Of course, what your ideal clients look like will be largely decided by your specific language pairs, services and specialisms.

But there’s a lot more to it than that, as we’ve delved into in detail in previous blog posts.

In short, when deciding what your dream client looks like you need to consider other really important aspects of collaborating as a translator, like the rate you need these direct clients to pay, and what you value most in a working relationship.

For example, we think we can safely say that all of us are looking for clients who respect us and our expertise.

Make a list of the things that are most important to you in the clients you’re in the market for to help you focus your search, and for you to refer back to if you’re in discussions with a potential client but there are red flags waving in your mind.

2. Polish your LinkedIn profile

Now you’re clear on exactly the kinds of clients you’d like to connect and collaborate with, it’s time to start taking steps that will make it more likely for said clients to find you.

Or, will make it more likely that they’ll be convinced you’re the perfect linguist for them if you get in touch offering your services.

The first thing on your list should be making sure your LI profile is up to snuff.

Dedicate a few hours to polishing it, rewriting your bio , creating a new banner and making sure you’re using any new features that have been added since you last checked.

If you’re struggling with the rewrite, then there are quite a few lovely translators out there who are LI whizzes and offer profile reviewing or rewriting services, and they could be a great investment. After all, if just one new client is enticed by your shiny new profile, you’ll already have made your money back.

Having a profile you’re happy about will make you feel more confident about putting yourself out there on LI or contacting prospective clients.

3. Think about your website

Whilst we think a good LI profile is a non-negotiable for any freelance translator, a website is optional. You don’t have to have one to make a go of your translation career, and lots of wonderful translators are proof of that.

That being said, though, we do strongly recommend having at least a basic website in place as a translator. Because having a professional-looking website is reassuring for potential clients, and it’s all yours, unlike LI which leaves you at the mercy of an algorithm.

An SEO-optimised website is also a fantastic way for direct clients to discover your services through their search engine of choice.

So if you don’t have a website, then creating one (even just an online-CV style affair) could be a huge help if you’ve got direct clients on your radar.

If you’ve already got one, then now’s the time to refresh it, making sure it’s a proper reflection of what you can offer all the potential clients who’ll be checking it out.

If you’ve never considered SEO, perhaps now is the time to get professional help or learn about SEO yourself and tweak your site to make it more visible.

4. Marketing and outreach

LI profile ✅

Website ✅

Now all that’s sorted, it’s time to get some eyes on your online presence.

There are two approaches you can take to marketing as a freelance translator, and the best results normally come from a mix of them both.

The standard method most new freelance translators use is contacting large numbers of potential clients who might be interested in their services. In the case of direct clients, less is definitely more: it’s all about quality, not quantity.

Be very selective about who you reach out to and really do your research, finding out about the company and the people who work there and writing them an email that shows you’ve done the groundwork.

It’s always good to set yourself a goal with this kind of thing. Depending on how busy you are, you could decide to get in touch with X potential clients per week or month.

We’ve seen some freelance translators talking about priding themselves on actually getting a no from clients they approach, rather than just radio silence, which is a great way to approach it.

But as well as reaching out to potential clients, we highly recommend putting just as much effort into your inbound marketing. That means putting yourself out there online and making a little space for yourself in the digital world so that clients start coming to you, rather than you always having to chase them!

Remember, no one else is going to shout about what you do if you don’t, and if you don’t tell the world about all the services you offer and skills you have, people won’t approach you about them.

The easiest way to do this is regularly (as often as works for you) posting on LinkedIn. But you might want to consider if a newsletter makes sense for your business too.

5. Grow your network

Another great way of making it more likely that clients will start coming to you is by expanding your professional network.

The main motivation behind this should be building a community around you, because freelancing can be a lonely gig, and we all need the support of people who understand the challenges we face.

But it’s also very true that if you make real connections with other freelancers then they’re far more likely to refer you, tag you or recommend you for a job they know would be right up your street.

And, of course, it’s not just other freelancers you should be connecting with, as other freelancers probably aren’t your target market. Building strong connections in the industries you specialise in could also do fantastic things for your business.

Just remember, this is a marathon not a sprint, and you never know when a connection you’ve made might lead to an opportunity for work. People you connect with now might only refer, recommend or require your services a few years from now, but you never know, they might be knocking on your virtual door before Christmas rolls around.

6. Go to industry events

If it’s direct clients you’re after, then it might be time to go along to a trade show or industry event and get your name out there.

There might not be anything appropriate coming up before the end of the year, but perhaps you can get something in the diary for 2025.

These events are fantastic opportunities to connect with the clients who need your services and don’t know it yet. They’re also great chances to learn about the latest developments and trends in your sectors, and talking about them on social media helps demonstrate to potential clients that you know your stuff.

7. If you’re available, let the world know

Our final tip? If you’ve got plenty of availability for work, let LinkedIn know.

The fact you’ve got good availability might prompt people who’ve been lurking to get in touch with you.

When we’re talking about our businesses it can be easy to give the world the impression that we’re constantly overflowing with work, and that might put some people off, so if you’ve got time or capacity for a new direct client, put that out into the universe. You never know what it could lead to.

Once you’ve hooked a direct client, hold onto them by impressing them with your professionalism.

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