Business: Laura Colagrossi, freelance translator
Based: Altrincham
Website: www.ithinkthereforetranslate.com
After years in sales, my day job was just not challenging me any more. When in January 2014 my university offered a business boot camp for graduates, I jumped in. Today I’m a home-based freelance translator.
Starting with just savings in the bank and modest professional experience, I had to get creative. I converted my second bedroom into an office using spare furniture from my boyfriend’s company, waited for a 60% discount on my translation software, and created a portfolio of work publishing translations of articles on my website, which was designed by my sister. A close friend is helping me with proofreading and I found the internet to be an infinite source of marketing advice.
I built up followers on Twitter and Facebook, posting carefully selected but varied content to broaden my audience. Being an Italian translator in the UK means clients are close to home, and I also attend trade shows to meet more people – you never know who needs language skills.
One important thing is understanding that as a business, a CV is not going to attract customers: send them a catchy and to-the-point flyer instead.
It took a while to find a balance, to learn not to overdo things (remember to step away from the computer and eat!) and how to plan for the plan going wrong. Now I feel the decision to start my own business was a great one, and the control it gives me is innovative in its own right.
Laura Colagrossi is a freelance translator.
