Poll: Would you say your approach to marketing is active or passive? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you say your approach to marketing is active or passive?".
View the poll results »
| | | | | Mostly active | Nov 1, 2019 |
I have a good web presence over here, on LinkedIn and my own website, through which some clients find me, and I also get referrals from colleagues and clients every now and then. Having said that: I contacted most of my current clients myself (ProZ quotes, LinkedIn, email, webforms, colleague network on Facebook). I try to contact at least one potential client each working day.
[Edited at 2019-11-01 08:42 GMT]
| | | | | Mostly passive | Nov 1, 2019 |
I did engage in active marketing when I started my translation career some 40 years ago, but I haven’t marketed myself for a long time (I must admit also that I’m not very good at that) because in the meanwhile I’ve managed to build a good base of loyal and regular clients.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 01:55
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Entirely passive | Nov 1, 2019 |
I don't market my services any more. I have enough clients, and the possibility of more if I can get round to applying for an EU VAT number. Now, if they would all just pay on time, it would be perfect!
| | |
|
|
|
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
| Already Established | Nov 1, 2019 |
Digital image, personal brand, social network, new paradigm era, and other BS buzzword things whereas everything is still the same world-old truth: the regular client just wants to fairly exchange his money for a real/lasting benefit or he needs a confidant to resolve the issue.
As far as I consider myself to be (|) an established specialist with (||) decent business skills ... See more Digital image, personal brand, social network, new paradigm era, and other BS buzzword things whereas everything is still the same world-old truth: the regular client just wants to fairly exchange his money for a real/lasting benefit or he needs a confidant to resolve the issue.
As far as I consider myself to be (|) an established specialist with (||) decent business skills and (|||) foreign language skills, I don't need any promotional content for mere publicity.
Certainly, while marketing also requires certain skills and efforts, smart people condescendingly smile hearing fancy "selling marketing stories" where a buyer should feel himself as somebody special like a "hero".
However--
1) it does make marketing a synonym to pious fraud, prioritizing manipulations to benefits and solutions. It's like shouting "Elephant!" for a mouse and "Gold!" for a tin, whereas a serious prospect easily sees through the blunt opportunistic lie and despair.
2) those doing "too much air sells marketing" really must have little time to do enough biz/sales.
Furthermore, I just don't trust always-yes-men and always-yes-women, let alone always-yes-children. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:55
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Active/passive | Nov 1, 2019 |
My marketing approach is passive in the sense that you open a store on the street, make it look attractive, and wait for customers to come in. You gradually begin to see the regulars coming in because they know you, they like the product, and they feel comfortable dealing with you.
But there are quiet periods. They remind me of the shopkeepers around here where I live. I often see them standing at the door of their premises, waiting and wondering when the next customer is going to... See more My marketing approach is passive in the sense that you open a store on the street, make it look attractive, and wait for customers to come in. You gradually begin to see the regulars coming in because they know you, they like the product, and they feel comfortable dealing with you.
But there are quiet periods. They remind me of the shopkeepers around here where I live. I often see them standing at the door of their premises, waiting and wondering when the next customer is going to come in.
My marketing approach is active in the sense that I do a lot of work to keep my Proz profile up to date, answer Kudoz questions (but not stupid ones or ones that would help my direct competitors), and participate in these discussions (which I know are followed by potential clients). I also do other "marketing" stuff, such as telling people (I meet a lot of people) that I'm a translator. Word of mouth.
I also do LinkedIn but it seems like a lot of effort for very little reward. Maybe I don't understand LinkedIn.
I used to spend a lot of time emailing hundreds of agencies with my CV until I realised that this just annoys them, and that they trash my emails.
[Edited at 2019-11-01 11:04 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | A category is missing: subtle marketing | Nov 1, 2019 |
Using the questions asked in this poll to mention how much work one has, how successful one is, how busy one is, how loved by clients one is, how devoted clients are etc. etc. or posting on the Proz Instagram page, Wiwo, with huge photos and bragging about jobs one has -all that too is a form of marketing. Perhaps not active or passive, but subtle. After all, getting one's name on Proz means getting it out there on Google too. And if that's not marketing, what is?
| | | | | Entirely passive | Nov 1, 2019 |
I have plenty of work and clients seem to find me, especially via Proz.Com and TC but also through my website.
So who needs marketing. 
| | |
|
|
|
| Entirely passive | Nov 1, 2019 |
When I was a young girl I was out shopping with my mother and I asked her to buy a brand of tea that I'd seen advertised on TV. She told me that she wouldn't buy it on principle, as she didn't need anyone to tell her what to put in her shopping basket.
I suppose that has influenced me because I tend to ignore advertising, and I think that a lot of people do the same.
I enjoy taking a break while I'm working to answer questions on KudoZ and occasionally write something... See more When I was a young girl I was out shopping with my mother and I asked her to buy a brand of tea that I'd seen advertised on TV. She told me that she wouldn't buy it on principle, as she didn't need anyone to tell her what to put in her shopping basket.
I suppose that has influenced me because I tend to ignore advertising, and I think that a lot of people do the same.
I enjoy taking a break while I'm working to answer questions on KudoZ and occasionally write something here, which is all I do in the way of marketing, though it's more like a hobby for me. All my regular clients initially contacted me via ProZ, so I don't think I'm completely invisible. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Entirely passive | Nov 2, 2019 |
When I moved from an in-house translation job to freelancing, I already had a lot of contacts in the business. I spent my first two years on a large project for my former employer and still continue to work for them. Meanwhile, more clients began to find me. My calendar has always been as full as I wanted it to be. I don't kill myself over rush jobs.
A couple of times, when I got back from a foreign vacation, I contacted my regulars to tell them I was available, but that's the most ... See more When I moved from an in-house translation job to freelancing, I already had a lot of contacts in the business. I spent my first two years on a large project for my former employer and still continue to work for them. Meanwhile, more clients began to find me. My calendar has always been as full as I wanted it to be. I don't kill myself over rush jobs.
A couple of times, when I got back from a foreign vacation, I contacted my regulars to tell them I was available, but that's the most I've done.
If I'm too busy to take a job, when I turn it down, I always ask them to keep me in mind in the future. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Completely passive though | Nov 2, 2019 |
Though I suppose I should be active too. Sending emails to agencies is very much like cold calling, so I don't do it. Also seeing that it seems most of us rarely receive any answer to quotes for most jobs posted, I consider it useless to send emails to agencies who either haven't sent me requests for such, or not addressed me by name as that is just a mass email or for some jobs posted as 'potential'. I tend to rely on the same clients/agencies but I suppose I should be more proactive.
| | | | Mario Freitas 
Brazil
Local time: 20:55
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Pretty well balanced between the two | Nov 3, 2019 |
It could be considered mostly passive, since most of my clients come from ProZ. However, in order to be contacted by clients through ProZ, you must be really active or you won't be seen.
Other sources of clients, like sites and social media, are also considered passive, but also require a lot of action to attract clients.
So, "entirely passive" actually means a very poor portfolio or a long-time one with lots of clients, requiring no further marketing (however uncertain). Even passiv... See more It could be considered mostly passive, since most of my clients come from ProZ. However, in order to be contacted by clients through ProZ, you must be really active or you won't be seen.
Other sources of clients, like sites and social media, are also considered passive, but also require a lot of action to attract clients.
So, "entirely passive" actually means a very poor portfolio or a long-time one with lots of clients, requiring no further marketing (however uncertain). Even passive marketing requires a lot of activity.
[Edited at 2019-11-03 07:46 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
| Balance or Harmony: Are you after the tree or the apple? | Nov 3, 2019 |
While the [estimated] translation value is already known, the marketing is to explain advantage some not-really-obvious benefits of products and services to increase substantiate their value and price. Mostly just not the case with a known work in a different language.
I agree that one should know the goals and stay firm of purpose for: The best marketing is quality work Of course, any biz diversification [risk management] has its 'minimum requirements', including the dedication and engagement--but they must not be overprioritized [marketed] over the quality.
Why, good references and contacts is a big plus too)
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Would you say your approach to marketing is active or passive? | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
| | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
