Strategies to Manage Feast & Famine Cycles for Linguists

Strategies to Manage Feast & Famine Cycles for Linguists

Strategies to Manage Feast & Famine Cycles for Linguists #MiTiN @LinguaGreca

I’m Catherine and this is Heraklion, Crete.


The view from our office in Toronto


● Greek translator (IT, Medical, Technical) ● Lead Greek translator for Apple

● Networker, marketer … for Lingua Greca ● Social media curator & blogger

● Member of The Savvy Newcomer blog team ● ATA Mentor


Housekeeping• 10 min. for Q&A at the end

• Share on Twitter• Slides will be available on Slideshare &

our website next week


Talking points

• Feast & famine: what they are• Things to do at all times• Dealing with famine periods• Dealing with feast periods


Famine = BadOr maybe not

Photo source: http://freelancem.ag/freelancing-basics/freelancer-feast-or-famine-cycle/


Feast = GreatOr maybe not

Photo source: http://creativeoverflow.net/6-reasons-why-freelancing-is-the-hardest-job-in-the-world/


Mox experiencesfeast & famine too

Photo source: http://mox.ingenierotraductor.com/2012/11/feast-or-famine.html


Talking points



To-dos at all times

Marketing is kingDaily or weekly routine Update website, blog

Avoid “panic” marketingTargeted approach is best

Photo source: eratechacademy.com


To-dos at all times

Networking Connect with prospects &

colleagues

Online: Use social mediaOffline: Attend events,

then follow up

Photo source: www.pinterest.com/pin/294211788126749745/


Self-improvement & CPDBlogs, books, webinars, podcasts, conferences

To-dos at all times

Photo source: marksanborn.com


To-dos at all times

Photo source: blog.shoeboxed.com

Existing clientsOne of your best marketing resources

Keep them happy and ask for feedback

They can provide:Future work

ReferralsTestimonials


To-dos at all times

Seasonal workPlan around your busier & slower

times


To-dos at all times Positive attitude

Believe in your capabilities and don’t panic!Don’t be the nagging colleague everybody wants to avoid

Spend less time complaining and more time acting


To-dos at all times

Photo source: scrap-n-crop-mmunity.blogspot.com


Talking points



MoneyPlan ahead

Have an emergency fundSave when there is plenty

Photo source: http://www.journeytomillions.com/emergency-fund


To-dos during famineEnjoy the slow period

After investing time in marketing,take a vacation, spend quality time your family

Gorgeous beach in

Crete, Greece


To-dos during famine Be proactive

Follow the news in your markets, local or abroad

Let your availability be knownTell your existing clients


Photo source: http://freelanceswitch.com/freelance-freedom/freelance-freedom-171-client-philosophy/


Talking points



To-dos during feast

Time management Plan ahead

Schedule planning timePrioritize: deadlines, marketing, sleep

Leave time for the unexpected

Photo source: businessamongmoms.com


To-dos during feast

Time management Allow time for other activities

Never forget to sleep well Don’t take on more than

you can handle

Photo source: affinitylive.com


To-dos during feast

Photo source: http://www.companionlink.com/outlook/

Photo source: http://blog.leafprintdesign.com

Calendars and notesKeep track of everything

Use technologyOutlook, Google Calendar, Evernote

Or, simplyNotebooks, post-it notes

whiteboard


To-dos during feast Money management

Be the ant, not the grasshopperBudgeting is very important

Invest windfalls wisely

Photo source: http://prawnandquartered.com/2012/07/30/the-grasshopper-and-the-ants-summer-reading-edition/

Photo source: http://www.nd.gov/ndyouth/money-management


To-dos during feast

Say no, gracefully Freelancer = one-(wo)man team

Be polite, explain why notRecommend colleagues

Photo source: http://cargocollective.com/ojanendesign/No-thank-you-cards


To-dos during feast

Manage your deadlines Ask for an extension before the deadline

Don’t overload your scheduleNegotiate deadlines

Photo source: http://moduscooperandi.com/blog/three-questions-on-deadlinesasking-the-industry/


OutsourcingFocus on translation &

business tasks

Collaborate with colleagues

Always check with your clients first

Photo source: desmart.com

To-dos during feast


To-dos during feast

Raise your rates Start with the lowest-paying clients

Offer higher rates to new clients

Photo source: http://blog.spreadshirt.net/uk/2010/10/13/product-prices-to-increase-a-look-at-the-textile-industry/


To-dos during feast

Photo source: http://www.reverbnation.com/thankyougoodbye

Fire a few clients Rates

ProjectsPayment termsCommunication


To-dos during feast

The unmissable jobs Subject is right up your alley

Money is good, client is awesomeFind a way to squeeze it in!

Think of the moneyReward yourself for

the hard workPhot

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TakeawaysMarketing

(website, blog, social media updates, campaigns)Famine: plan, write, schedule, research, execute

Feast: publish new content, post updates, executeTip: http://growth.supply/free/ for 400+ free tools, try

SocialOomph for scheduling social media updates

Networking & Learning(events, conferences, webinars)

Famine: research, schedule, attend, follow upFeast: attend, follow up

http://growth.supply/free/


TakeawaysStay up-to-date

(blogs, newsletters, social media, magazines)Famine: read and plan, write about industry news in your blog

Feast: follow up (e.g. say congrats for new position)

Emergency fund: Usually 6 months or 1 yearTime management: Tons of free apps available online

Outsourcing (upon client’s approval!)Raise rates and replace old clients with new

Take a break or vacation


Work-life balance, is there such a thing?

I don’t believe in work/life balance. Someone might say I work all the time, but that’s what I want to do. I think if you’re happy doing what

you’re doing, that’s the perfect balance.

Dani Reiss, president and CEO of Canada Goose

Strategies to Manage Feast & Famine Cycles for Linguists #MiTiN @LinguaGreca Video source: http://on.ted.com/PogueTop10

10 top time-saving tech tips


Questions?Comments?

Photo source: www.expatguy.com


Thank you for attending!Catherine ChristakiLingua Greca site: www.linguagreca.comAdventures in Technical Translation (blog)www.linguagreca.com/blog

@LinguaGrecaLingua Greca TranslationsCatherine Christaki & Lingua Greca Translations

http://www.linguagreca.com/

http://www.linguagreca.com/blog

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https://www.facebook.com/LinguaGreca



http://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinechristaki



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Strategies to Manage Feast & Famine Cycles for Linguists