SOCIALLY-OPTIMIZED BUSINESS FOR FREELANCE TRANSLATORS: COWORKING,

TEAM-WORK AND BEING PRO-SOCIAL

Background

Freelance work is on the rise. Although freelancing is nothing new for translators, the way
freelancers now work is radically changing thanks to appealing tendencies moving away from
isolation by creating new means of collaboration, networking and social engagement.

In our current financial double dip scenario, its becoming clearer that the old model of
economy and entrepreneurship has failed and needs to be re-invented. Entrepreneurship
aiming at social benefits has become the new-school for many modern companies, which
focus on simultaneously creating both a financial and social return. Although it may
theoretically only apply to companies whose direct aim is to create social impact, the pro-
social concept is now expanding: every enterprise of every sector can now re-discover its
market and business model by tweaking its profile, purposes, strategies and trading
practices.

Purpose

The translator is not an island anymore. The Internet has opened up new possibilities for
connecting with professionals all over the world - collaboration has never been easier. One of
the purposes of this presentation will be to highlight the benefits of teaming up with other
translators. Being part of one or several teams can increase your productivity, the quality of
your work and your business scope.

Working hubs are spreading globally as a natural movement for freelancers and other solo
entrepreneurs to gather in the same working space. But coworking is not only a direct way to
diminish isolation for those working from home, it also has the implicit idea of creating a
vibrant community whose common interest is to make a difference.

This pro-social edge will improve your corporate identity with a new positive image as a
vendor committed with his/her social milieu, and will reward your personal and professional
life by showing that your work is not only about making a profit but also about making a
positive contribution to society.

Solutions and recommendations

a) Team Work: Strength in numbers. Using your languages, specializations and skills to
team up with like-minded peers: for one of your fields of expertise; for a field of expertise in
which you are getting involved; translation-revision; mentoring for newcomers. The use of
Wordfast Online as a free tool to work real-time with other translators on a TM environment.

b) Coworking: Work, meet and learn. My experience at The Hub Amsterdam. What is a Jelly
event; why and how to organize one.

c) Becoming pro-social: How can my established freelance translation business achieve
social impact? The benefits of having a solid social commitment policy. Working pro-bono.
The use of languages for social justice. Tips for starting a parallel social business.