| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How often do you receive positive feedback from your clients? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often do you receive positive feedback from your clients?".
This poll was originally submitted by Alvaro Morales. View the poll results »
| | | | Tim Drayton 
Cyprus
Local time: 06:23
Turkish to English
+ ...
I hardly ever receive feedback of any kind from clients, not that I particularly expect to do so. The feedback that I do receive is all positive, though.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 05:23
Spanish to English
+ ...
I'm almost tempted to copy and paste some of their comments here... but modesty prevails
On second thoughts, here's one email from last week:
"Gracias Neil,
Está fenomenal, great job
Pásame la factura cuando puedas"
[Edited at 2013-10-02 08:25 GMT]
| | | | Marjolein Snippe
Netherlands
Local time: 05:23
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| depending on client relationship | Oct 2, 2013 |
From one client I receive frequent positive feedback; from most, not much explicit feedback although if it comes, it is usually positive.
| | |
|
|
|
Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 12:23
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
which I interpret as "No news is good news." 
They keep on coming back for seconds and thirds, which I interpret as a sign that they are more than satisfied with what I send them.
Small edit and additions -- brain not working properly
[Edited at 2013-10-02 12:22 GMT]
| | | |
I have been working for some clients (5) since 1985 and this kind of loyalty is the best feedback I could have hoped for … I also translate newspaper articles for a Portuguese media group and they are always very keen to give positive feedback. Anyway, the last negative feedback I received (touch wood!) was more than 20 years ago…
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 05:23
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| Ranges from always to hardly ever | Oct 2, 2013 |
To me, the meaning of positive feedback from my clients is when they give me more work.
Once in a while it does happen that a client expresses his or her content / happiness with a particular translation or project (I also do creative writing). This is, of course, highly appreciated and shows me that I am doing a good (or better) job.
| | | | Alma de Kok
Netherlands
Local time: 05:23
Member (2006)
Polish to Dutch
+ ...
| The devil is in the details | Oct 2, 2013 |
Your reactions all talk about feeback 'in general'. I agree: clients coming back is the best feedback you can get. But.. I know I am not infallible (as most of you surely do too), and I greatly appreciate feedback on the (small) mistakes I sometimes make. In that way I know my translations are read. This keeps me sharp. That kind of feedback is very rare, but in fact the most useful... I interpret that feedback as positive.
... See more Your reactions all talk about feeback 'in general'. I agree: clients coming back is the best feedback you can get. But.. I know I am not infallible (as most of you surely do too), and I greatly appreciate feedback on the (small) mistakes I sometimes make. In that way I know my translations are read. This keeps me sharp. That kind of feedback is very rare, but in fact the most useful... I interpret that feedback as positive.
[Edited at 2013-10-02 10:29 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
tilak raj
India
Local time: 08:53
Member (2012)
English to Punjabi
+ ...
There are various types of clients. After completion and getting payment of a project for new client, I tried to give them positive feedback some of them give me also positive feedback to me. Some are very strange, they don't effort to do this type of work.
But I don't insist them to do it. They have their will to do it.
| | | |
But I think If a client comes back it is more than a positive feedback.
I agree with Julian
Julian Holmes wrote: which I interpret as "No news is good news." They keep on coming back for seconds and thirds, which I interpret as a sign that they are more than satisfied with what I send them.
It would be useful (and it could be gratifying, if positive) to receive always a feedback.
| | | | Tatty
Local time: 05:23
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Informed positive feedback | Oct 2, 2013 |
The documents I translate in general are pretty hard. And I really do believe that having a document translated is an act of faith for many. The purchasers of translations, even lawyers who speak good English, aren't really in a position to judge. Hence, no feedback of any kind whatsoever, which is fine by me.
The rare positive feedback that I have received has always been for more arty, creative projects. But I still don't believe foreign clients can effectively judge the quality o... See more The documents I translate in general are pretty hard. And I really do believe that having a document translated is an act of faith for many. The purchasers of translations, even lawyers who speak good English, aren't really in a position to judge. Hence, no feedback of any kind whatsoever, which is fine by me.
The rare positive feedback that I have received has always been for more arty, creative projects. But I still don't believe foreign clients can effectively judge the quality of a translation. I do remember positive feedback though. ▲ Collapse
| | | |
I don't think the client is always able to totally appraise the quality - or genius - of a translation. That's probably why we don't get so much feed-back.
The PMs usually don't speak the language and direct clients could have done the translations themselves, if they knew how to.
Well, I know it's not that simple, but still....
| | |
|
|
|
Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 12:23
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| A few hours earlier... | Oct 2, 2013 |
I got a phone call from a customer who obviously values my hard work.
They wanted to see if I could handle a project that will keep me busy until the end of January. This is the kind of feedback that fuels and drives me. Yesssssssss!
Yours truly is already planning a week's skiing in Japan's mountains in February. Or, maybe even in Whistler or Banff, Canada? Must enjoy life's little perks. 
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 23:23
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Green with envy | Oct 2, 2013 |
Julian Holmes wrote: I got a phone call from a customer who obviously values my hard work. They wanted to see if I could handle a project that will keep me busy until the end of January. This is the kind of feedback that fuels and drives me. Yesssssssss! Yours truly is already planning a week's skiing in Japan's mountains in February. Or, maybe even in Whistler or Banff, Canada? Must enjoy life's little perks.
...for the skiing part, of course!
Well done, Julian!
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 23:23
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Motivations for good feedback for translators | Oct 2, 2013 |
Human beings hardly ever do one thing for just one reason. Nobody is trully altruistic, and I'm not being cynical about it. Now, I dislike the phrase “positive feedback” because 'positive' is meant to indicate “feedback that I like to hear” instead of feedback that I will find useful or advantageous.
The comments posted by Neilmac, Julian and Alma de Kok resonate with me. Here's my take:
1. You don't get good feedback unless you ask for it.
2. Give your cl... See more Human beings hardly ever do one thing for just one reason. Nobody is trully altruistic, and I'm not being cynical about it. Now, I dislike the phrase “positive feedback” because 'positive' is meant to indicate “feedback that I like to hear” instead of feedback that I will find useful or advantageous.
The comments posted by Neilmac, Julian and Alma de Kok resonate with me. Here's my take:
1. You don't get good feedback unless you ask for it.
2. Give your client a powerful reason to give you feedback (positive, critical, negative, etc.).
3. Unless you were born a wiseman (or wisewoman), you had to learn how to face criticism and take it for what it is: an assessment on what you've done, not on who you are. Part of taking criticism is to take the time to recognize one's errors and tell your client what you will do about it.
Most clients worth having offer good feedback have several reasons to do so:
a) They like your work
b) They want a payment extension
c) They want to give you an important assignment
d) They have bad news to share (their client is not happy about something)
e) They like you. They really like you!
f) They want something in return, such as a lower rate, a rush job, a solution to a problem that is intractable to them(1).
(1) I experienced this recently with a repeat customer involving 2 InDesign CS6 files last week. His client came back to him with a rush project and requesting InDesign CS6 deliverables. Out of the blue, I had to purchase CS6 (that's about $500 if you are a college student like me). I told my client I don't do rush jobs.
Client called me and asked me to do this job for this important client. I made him aware that I couldn't do it rush because I'd need to buy a new program for it, and that it would take a few days for delivery.
The project suffered delays because the so-called rush job to 'update' an old translation was actually a new text to translate. My client's client, frustrated by the delay, threatened to look elsewhere. So, my client played the 'positive feedback' card (but did so sincerely, based on facts).
He had to grease the conversation with good feedback because he needed an extra effort from me. Since the feedback was factual and not just adulation, I obliged. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: How often do you receive positive feedback from your clients? | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
